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StylinLP38's avatar
StylinLP38
Explorer
May 02, 2017

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 tow vehicle

Hi, I am so confused by all these tow vehicle terms and limitations that I was hoping someone could help me figure out my GVW for my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 /w Trailer Tow Group IV
I want to know if this travel trailer I am looking will be safe to tow and how much Cargo eight I will have left.

3.6L Pentastar® V6 VVT Engine
295 Horsepower
260 Pound-Feet of Torque

Max Towing:  6,200 Pounds, 
4x2/4x4 Max Payload:  1,180 Pounds
Curb weight: 4,545 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight (GWVR): 6,500 lbs.

The Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Jeep gross vehicle weight (GVW)
What is GVW of Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Jeep? This is the max weight the Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE including the max load that can be carried safely while used on the road.

The gross weight of the vehicle refers to the total weight the vehicle is actually carrying, including the weights of the empty vehicle, driver, passengers, cargo, fuel and optional accessories. If the vehicle is towing another vehicle or a trailer, its gross weight includes only the tongue weight of the second vehicle, rather than its entire weight. The tongue weight refers to the weight of the portion of the second vehicle that actually connects the two vehicles.
The gross weight of a vehicle should not exceed its gross weight vehicle rating, which refers to the vehicle's weight-carrying limit as given by the manufacturer. The GWVR is normally printed on the door frame of the vehicle on the driver's side and can also be found on the manufacturer's website.

Outdoor RV Blackrock 20RD
http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/black-rock/#
This is the brochure of the unit I am looking at
http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/brochure_back_country.pdf

Hitch Dry weight: 380 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 1900 lbs
Max Trailer Weight: 6000 lbs
Full Featured Dry Weight (lbs): 4300

As to the Hitch Tongue load: I would add the following:

2 batteries? 50 lbs
2x full 30lbs propane tanks = 100 lbs
100 LBS - Pro Series Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 750 lbs TW Item # PS49902
(is there a better recommendation?)
Driver and passenger = 350 lbs
Tow Vehicles

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  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    May 03, 2017
    I'm not the weight cops on here. Far from it. But my reccomendation is that's a bit too much trailer for the Jeep, but for different reasons than most stated.
    Would I tow it? Yes, have done as much or more with less. Would I want to do it for many miles/days/mountains/altitude? Nope. And here's why.
    Tongue weight, e load tires, wdh, etc. that's all fine and good. Rear axle on the Jeep will handle the stress no problem as well. Hook n go across the flat lands and don't plan on getting anywhere fast with a head wind.

    The biggest issue I see is the engine is missing 2 cylinders. Towing a sail shaped brick behind the 6 banger will result in wringing out every last pony that engine has more often than not. That 300hp engine with a less than ideal torque output could be getting close to 200hp and under 200ftlbs within a half days drive of home.
    That condition will worsen by about 3 percent for every 1000ft above sea level you drive. You're in the southwest so presumably mountain camping in the summer when it's 100deg in the valley is on he short list for destinations. This will result in higher coolant temps and transmission temps as the torque converter will not lock up near as much as if you has sufficient power to pull and could hold gears longer.
    6cyl may not have hd cooling and hd trans cooler, you'd have to look into that as well.

    JGCs are big suvs for their classification but are still mid size, as such. Outfitted with the hemi, they'll pull as good as most any full size SUV or half ton truck, but the econo engine is not a towing dream.
  • mrw8i's avatar
    mrw8i
    Explorer
    May 03, 2017
    As well as towing capability, What will your mileage be while towing, especially going up hills/mountains? What size fuel tank? How many miles per tank while towing? I've known a few persons who towed with small vehicles and stopping every 120-150 miles for fuel was a pain.
  • SpeakEasy's avatar
    SpeakEasy
    Explorer
    May 03, 2017
    StylinLP38 wrote:
    Thanks for the advice. It is disappointing that one of the strongest SUV's on the market that has such impressive cargo and tow capacity compared to all the other SUV's still struggle to tow a small travel trailer.

    The reason I decided to buy the truck LT tires based on my internet research was for stiffer walls over regular tires. That should help with some sway. The trailer I chose is only 380 lbs tongue weight dry. Much less than any other trailer over 20' long.


    I hear you about your disappointment in the capabilities of your SUV. I felt the same way when I was facing a similar issue. For years I resisted going to a pickup. I loved me my SUV's. But when I began to realize that the "super crew cab" (or whatever other manufacturers call it) has MORE passenger space in the back seat than the SUV's I had been using, I was shocked. My truck is MORE comfortable for me and my passengers than my SUV's had been, and with a tonneau cover on the bed, I can carry gear that I do not want exposed to the elements. Now I am loving my truck!

    -Speak
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    May 03, 2017
    StylinLP38 wrote:
    Thanks for the advice. It is disappointing that one of the strongest SUV's on the market that has such impressive cargo and tow capacity compared to all the other SUV's still struggle to tow a small travel trailer.


    Towing an high walled RV is one of the most challenging types of trailers. The large wind resistance combined with high side profile mean a higher than average TW helps them remain stable. That takes power and suspension that many of today's vehicles with seemingly good tow ratings not very pleasant when towing these types of trailers. Contrast an RV with a boat that is more aerodynamic with pointy front which tend to tow very well with under 10percent TW. A 6000 pound boat will tow better than a 4000 pound high walled RV.

    I would recommend skipping the LT tires. They will heavier than comparable P type that have plenty of load capacity for the Jeep. Focus on a quality WDH with integrated sway control and learn how to adjust it. Get some extended towing mirrors and a proportional brake controller.
  • StylinLP38's avatar
    StylinLP38
    Explorer
    May 03, 2017
    Are these sufficient side wall strength over normal tires? They cost much less than those Michelin LTX A/T 2 - P265/60R18

    Cooper DISCOVERER HT PLUS Tire- 265/60R18XL 114T BW
    http://www.sears.com/cooper-discoverer-ht-plus-tire-265-60r18xl-114t/p-09536954000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=T2
  • StylinLP38's avatar
    StylinLP38
    Explorer
    May 03, 2017
    Thanks for the advice. It is disappointing that one of the strongest SUV's on the market that has such impressive cargo and tow capacity compared to all the other SUV's still struggle to tow a small travel trailer.

    The reason I decided to buy the truck LT tires based on my internet research was for stiffer walls over regular tires. That should help with some sway. The trailer I chose is only 380 lbs tongue weight dry. Much less than any other trailer over 20' long.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    May 02, 2017
    Some of the battery/LP weight will be borne by the TT, but you'll probably still be around 600 lbs hitch weight. If the water tank is up front, you'll have to run fairly empty on water. The JGC rear end and receiver should stand up to over 700 lbs hitch weight IIRC, since I am pretty sure it's all the same whether the engine is V6, V8 or ecodiesel. You'll be close and will have to do some weighing to make sure you don't exceed that, but it should be do-able.

    I always thought the Equal-i-zer worked well for me and was easy to self-install. It won't save you any weight, though. Just another option.

    If you replace tires to gain stiffer sidewalls, consider a size or two smaller for lower profile; this can reduce the tire's ability to squirm side to side under pressure.
  • StylinLP38's avatar
    StylinLP38
    Explorer
    May 02, 2017
    Thank you Bobbo and Gemsworld.
    Bobbo, i see quite clearly how I would be pushing the jeeps cargo capacity and would have to be so very careful not to add anymore equipment and passengers to my vehicle when towing. That is tough to deal with.

    Gemsworld, Ive seen responses like yours before and understand that getting a Equalizer WD would help a lot. Not only do I plan to get that Equalizer WD but also upgrade my Jeeps tires to E rated LT tires from Michelin.

    Ive considered a pickup truck but would rather not own one. It is not like I need a large trailer. 21' long interior is more than I would ever need.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    May 02, 2017
    I towed a TT with about the same dry weight thousands of miles for over two years with a 2014 4X4 JGC Limited with the V6 engine without any problems. I kept the weight of the trailer loaded around 5,000 pounds. I loaded the back of the Jeep with plenty of gear, including a genny and solar panels.

    Get yourself an Equalizer WD system and you'll be good to go.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    May 02, 2017
    StylinLP38 wrote:
    4x2/4x4 Max Payload:  1,180 Pounds

    Hitch Dry weight: 380 lbs
    Max Trailer Weight: 6000 lbs

    As to the Hitch Tongue load: I would add the following:

    2 batteries? 50 lbs
    2x full 30lbs propane tanks = 100 lbs
    100 LBS - Pro Series Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 750 lbs TW Item # PS49902
    (is there a better recommendation?)
    Driver and passenger = 350 lbs


    batteries - 50 pounds
    propane - 100 pounds
    WDH - 100 pounds

    That is 250 pounds + 380 pounds dry hitch weight is 630 pounds hitch weight even with nothing else in the trailer.

    You and DW - 350 pounds
    hitch weight - 630 pounds

    total payload so far - 350 + 630 = 980 pounds
    capacity - 1180 pounds

    You have 200 pounds of payload capacity left for everything else, including increased hitch weight from stuff in the trailer, and stuff in the bed of the pickup, combined.

    And, don't forget, those dry weights quoted by the manufacturer are usually wildly underestimated. Any increase in the dry hitch weight (or your estimates above) come directly off that 200 pound reserve capacity.

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