Towing a vehicle behind motorhome

We recently went through the same process. We ended up going with a Class A. We are family of six and by the time you add up the weight of all the things that go along with you when camping/traveling we would have been well over the gvwr/gcvwr of a class c, especially when towing an SUV big enough to carry all of us. If you are going to have other people with you, the view out the front of a Class A is much nicer, too.

The Class A are built on MH/truck chassis and the Class C are on extended van chassis. We are close to the limits on our Ford V-10 F-53 18k chassis, about 1000 lbs shy for the gvwr, and about 550 lbs shy on the tow rating. Still the v-10 does a great job on all but the steepest hills, even then it makes it up, albeit with the engine reving and plenty of noise, but it pulls all the way without missing a beat.

We had a Class C at one point, when you get to something this big, handling is about the same. There isn't going to be much of a difference between a large C and an even larger A. The class A will have more robust components to handle the extra weight and height. If you go with the A look up the Cheap Handling Fix (CHF or McKinnley Fix) for the front sway bar a night and day handling fix for no $.

the OP said he had a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. If equipped as stated by another poster having the active drive II it is absolutely capable of towing 4 down. This is standard in the trailhawk and optional on the limited and I think the Latitude.

If not it is only able to be put on a trailer with AWD (active drive I)or dolly towed with FWD.

The V-10 has good power. It does produce that power at a higher RPM than diesel engines, but it's also quite capable of running at those RPMs for a long time, even though it sounds like it may be about to spin itself to pieces. Bear in mind, too, that many gas class A's use a variant of the same engine (albeit a higher-power variant) and the same transmission.

Do verify the weight ratings of the hitches/chassis. The cherokee is around 4000 pounds curb weight, so anything less than 5000 pounds would be unacceptable by the time you add in the two setup and a bit of stuff in the Jeep.

If you are going to be doing a lot of mountain driving at high altitudes, a turbocharged engine would be a noticeable help; that pretty much means a diesel for a motorhome.

Yes, the V-10 has enough power. There is times going over mountain passes that it will slow down and shift down. Best advise is to take it slow and easy let the rig find it's favorites spot and remember it. Going down is as bad as going up. Pull the transmission lever into a gear that will keep RPMs in proper range and continue up or down the hills.

My real concern is if the gas engine is powerful enough or if I would be better served by a diesel.

The jeep Cherokee with 4x4 drive 2 system has a neutral position for the transfer case which allows it to be towed 4 wheels down.

My Jeep owner's manual (Owner's CD) clearly says that a 2014 Patriot with 6-speed auto can be towed 4-down ONLY if it is the 4x4 drive system. 2-wheel drive Patriots are NEVER to be towed with the front wheels on the ground.

If I had known that I would have tried to talk her into something else. (It IS her daily driver.)

Best check your owners manual for the Jeep. I'm pretty sure that it can't be towed. I know my 2014 4x4 Ram 1500 can't be towed at all on the ground.

I didn't catch the Class C information. Be careful when looking to insure the hitch will handle the weight.

either MH should pull your Jeep fine. I suggest you test drive BOTH motorhomes before you buy. IMO a class A is far better than any class C. A class A you sit up higher allowing better visibilty. Bigger tires means a bigger footprint on the ground,--fewer tire troubles. But that is just "my" opinion. By all means if you drive both, and like the "C" better. Buy that one. Dont take my (or) anyones opinion. Please drive them both