We own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 3.7L V6. It is rated to tow 6,200lbs. We are looking to purchase a camper with a "loaded" weight of 6,090lbs or a dry weight of 4,590. They say for our Jeep towing anything over 3,500lbs requires a weight distributing hitch. What is that? Is this going to be safe? Does this truly have enough power to do the job?

Can it do it? Technically yes, but it won't be a pleasant experience. The small tow vehicle and lack of power will be very noticeable.Go somewhere like etrailer and search for weight distribution hitches. In brief, they take weight from the rear axle and apply it to the front axle. The Equal-i-zer brand is popular.Keep in mind that passengers and gear in the tow vehicle should be subtracted from the tow rating.

example. my 04 Ram 1500 3.7L v6..2 wheel drive. with a manual transmission. had a towing of 3,300 pounds.. same engines as yours.my trailer was 3,000 pounds empty. that engine worked Real Hard on the smallest of hills. WV,V,Tenn. 4,500 rpms and 45 mph... on freeways. with 3:55 gears.can it do it "YES" but will it last?????????

In my opinion it's not even close. That's way too much trailer for that vehicle. Payload, or what you can put into the truck, including passenger weights would be close if not over. And that v6 is underpowered empty, much less with a load that heavy. You need a half ton tow vehicle with a v8 or ecoboost, ecodiesel, whatever your choice. Any trailer more than a popup would need a weight distribution hitch with that vehicle. Even if you were to upgrade vehicles you still need the hitch. It helps distribute the weight from the trailer onto the tow vehicle. Usually there is some sort of sway control built into these as well. But thats a whole other discussion. Don't buy that trailer.

Most JEEPS have a small differentials and won't last long if used to pull things...I don't know if the newer jeeps have increased any of this or not... My 99TJ pulled a boat trailer before I bought it and that was the first thing I had to replace... The earlier CJ jeeps would do well just hauling four people in them haha...The Cherokee of course is getting into the bigger frames and all and should be able to tow more then the TJs etc...I don't think you would be happy with towing much with your Cherokee jeep.Roy Ken

It is potentially doable.... (Jeep Engineer here)Need more info.What year is the JGC?How long is the TT?

IS MY JEEP SAFE TO TOW A CAMPER???? | Good Sam Community

Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
example. my 04 Ram 1500 3.7L v6..2 wheel drive. with a manual transmission. had a towing of 3,300 pounds.. same engines as yours.
my trailer was 3,000 pounds empty. that engine worked Real Hard on the smallest of hills. WV,V,Tenn. 4,500 rpms and 45 mph... on freeways. with 3:55 gears.

can it do it "YES" but will it last?????????
beemerphile1
Explorer
Oct 12, 2016
Can it do it? Technically yes, but it won't be a pleasant experience. The small tow vehicle and lack of power will be very noticeable.

Go somewhere like etrailer and search for weight distribution hitches. In brief, they take weight from the rear axle and apply it to the front axle. The Equal-i-zer brand is popular.

Keep in mind that passengers and gear in the tow vehicle should be subtracted from the tow rating.

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IS MY JEEP SAFE TO TOW A CAMPER????

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