Towing Grand Cherokee with Gas Ford V10

rk911 wrote:

Wsm239 wrote:
Hello. I am not new to towing 4 down but we are considering towing our 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 down with our Thor Hurricane 34B with the Ford V10.

Obviously the hitch is rated for 5,000lbs but the Jeep weighs around that amount too. We would be using a supplemental braking system. I am sure the coach can physically tow the vehicle but is it wise to go this close to the limit? A few years ago we towed a Chevy Cobalt so never had to worry about it.

Are there other considerations/limitations - insurance for example?

first, be certain that the hitch is rated at 5K.

the amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

- The difference between the loaded weight of the MH and GCWR
- The weight rating of the hitch
- The weight rating of the towbar

IMO, I would NOT tow the GC even assuming all of the above will permit you to. The advice I received back in '03 when we started to tow was to never tow at the max limit and instead tow at no more than 90% of max. You could likely push that to 95% and be OK.

And depending on options your GC may come in at >5000-lbs. have you weighed it lately configured the way you would tow it? (stuff loaded in the back, X-gallons of gas, etc.) Don't trust the owner's manual or the sales critter for the curb weight.

good travels whatever you decide to do.

Thanks for the response. I weighed the Grand Cherokee this morning - it is 4,800lbs. Next I will weigh the MH in the spring when I get it out of winter storage and go from there.

I do understand your point about towing close to the limit, I was already leaning that way but figured I should get some other opinions too.