'15 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND TRAILER COMPATIBLE?

Don't listen to the naysayers here, especially those that don't own a GC and don't know what they are talking about. I own a 2014 4x4 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the V6 engine and I tow a 2014 Flagstaff Micro Lite 21DS without any problems.

I drive often in the mountains and haven't had problems climbing 7,000 feet. I climb leisurely and don't let the engine work too hard unnecessarily. Some posters here think the only way to go is full throttle up a mountain and will say you need a diesel F-350 to tow a 5,000 lb. trailer.

Expect to get on average about 13 MPG towing at 55 MPH (maximum towing speed limit in CA) for the most part. I highly recommend getting an Equalizer hitch system. Good luck!

We started out camping with a TT using our 6 cylinder 4.0L Cherokee and a 21' TT. In the mountains here in PA It struggled a bit especially going up 322 towards State College. With that being said it wasn't the power that made me switch tow vehicles. The stability of the rig had me with white knuckles at times. I tried having the rear suspension reworked and bought Bilstein (expensive) shocks for it and it was better but still not great. We switched to an F150 Crew Cab and with the same hitch set up and same travel trailer I went from white knuckles to one finger driving. The longer wheel base vehicle was amazing to tow with.
Just thought I'd share our story with you. Best of luck with whatever setup you end up with.
Ron & Leslie

I've looked hard at the Jeep Grand Cherokee as my next tow vehicle. The V6 could do it in the flatlands but would feel sluggish at times. On long uphill grades you'll be really regretting the V6. It has about 20 more HP than my Highlander's V6, but a fair bit more weight on the GC. I've had some mild regrets towing a 2700 lb TT (7' wide x 99" high) around the Rockies, and this year I traded down to a popup Aliner. If the TT you contemplate has more frontal area than the one I had, that will be an even greater factor against the V6.

That V8 is so much more capable, the fuel economy while towing will be virtually the same as the V6's, and the V8 doesn't cost much more in relation to the total price tag. For serious trailer towing, why skimp? Get an engine that will put a smile on your face when you stomp on the pedal!

Forget about that 6200 lb tow capacity. That number is considering a 150 lb driver, with no passengers or cargo. If you only weigh 150 lbs and plan on towing alone, with no cargo, you might tow that kind of weight.

Besides that (mythical) tow capacity number, you also need to watch the hitch rating, GVWR, and payload. All of the ratings fit together like a puzzle.

GVWR -- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. ---Max amount the vehicle can weigh. Includes everything and everybody in, or on the vehicle.

GCVWR --- Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating -- Max combined weight of tow vehicle and trailer. Includes everything and everybody in, or on both vehicles.

Payload -- Difference between what the vehicle actually weighs and it's GVWR. This is the weight capacity you have for people, tow vehicle cargo, WD hitch, and trailer tongue weight.

Hitch rating -- Maximum amount of weight on the hitch receiver (with and without weight distribution).

As you load weight into the tow vehicle (people, cargo, hitch, etc), the max tow capacity and available payload, go down pound for pound.
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Example:

If the vehicle has 6200 lb tow capacity and 1100 lbs of payload, and you load 600 lbs of people, your tow capacity and available payload drop to 5600 lb towing capacity and 500 lbs payload.

A 5100 lb wet weight trailer, will need about 700 lbs (with WDH) of available payload.
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Depending on size and weight of your family, the Grand Cherokee may, or may not have the capacity (payload) to carry everything and everybody you plan to bring along.

Yeah, you'll be able to pull that. I agree with the others, you may be happier with a v8, but there's no reason why the pentastar and 8 speed won't be able to handle that. It is a very impressive motor/tranny combination.

However, please keep in mind it likely won't come with a trailer brake controller. You MUST have that installed to pull your camper safely. The dealer can install a very nice controller designed for the Grand Cherokee that will be covered under warranty.

6200 capacity/5100# wet (GVWR??) is cutting it pretty close. The question is not CAN you, but SHOULD you. Agree that if the budget allows, opt for the beefier version. Too many have cut it close and found very soon that they needed to make a move up....cost them more in the long run.

If you were towing a lot, I would option for the V8 or 3.0 ED. If not, the 3.6 V6 is a good engine with more HP and equal torque to V8s of just a few years back.

And I don't think comparing a 10 year old SUV that is another brand to a new Grand Cherokee is a fair comparison. Aside from the new technology that the Jeep has, they also have always been superior tow vehicles vs most other SUVs.

Either way, if you already have the trailer, it woudl be a good idea to take it for a test drive towing before you commit.

I'm not saying it can't or shouldn't, but keep in mind max tow rating will likely have that motor screaming toward redline on routine acceleration, relatively short wheelbase hinders highway stability, and any people and cargo in Jeep takes away from rear axle capcity available for tounge weight.
Just as an example, I have a 2006 ford explorer V6 full frame, 114 inch wheelbase, and tow a single axle Hybrid that typically weighs 3,200 lbs LOADED. That brings my combined weight with wife, 3 kids, and stuff to about 9,500 lbs confirmed by scale. Believe me, even with properly adjusted sway control I rarely take it over 55 mph except for brief moments getting around a situation. I certainly wish I had a little more truck at those times

That's probably ok. The 8-spd can really make use of the V6 power. Expect engine specs in the 2500-30000 cruising on the highway and 5000+ accelerating and up hills. The engine won't care, but some passengers do.

If you can afford it, I highly recommend at least the V8. You'll have 50% more torque, which means it can purr along closer to 2000rpm and seldom need to exceed 3000rpm. Most people are happier with that.