Max towing for 2014 V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Figure up your fuel cost based on miles driven, and compare the two. MPG while towing will be practically the same for either engine. So just figure the non-towing miles. It might only be a difference of $200 or $300 between the two.

The V8 will do much better on hills and mountains. I guess it partly depends on where you plan to camp. Flatland trips close to home, it probably won't matter so much. Long vacations across country, you'd be very glad to have the V8 power.

SueGib wrote:
Thanks everyone. These are extremely helpful! Will let you know what we decide. Now, if we go with the GC we can order the factory tow pkg and a V8, but sacrifice the mpg and it's higher priced. Sure wish the dealers would let you test drive with your TT.

I doubt you'll see a difference in loaded MPG unless you have your foot in it all the time. A little V6 is going to work to death to pull 5000 lbs.

Thanks everyone. These are extremely helpful! Will let you know what we decide. Now, if we go with the GC we can order the factory tow pkg and a V8, but sacrifice the mpg and it's higher priced. Sure wish the dealers would let you test drive with your TT.

APT wrote:
Exactly, rexlion. It's not so much a matter of if a the V6 JGC can do it. It will. But that doesn't mean the driver and passengers will be comfortable with it.

Yep, the OP didn't state that he was unsafe or over ratings, just that the 4-runner "struggles" to tow it, which is obviously subjective. Unless the 4-runner is 20 yrs old or something, I can't imagine the new JGC would provide a noticeably superior experience. Marginally better, perhaps, but probably not worth the $$ IMO.

SueGib, seems you have no shortage of answers to your question.
I have a 2014 V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but I would not want to tow a 4000 pound dry weight camper with it. Loaded, I think that camper tongue weight could exceed the recommended payload limits. Mine, like most, does not have the factory hitch option that comes with load leveling rear suspension, and better engine cooling. Without that option, Jeep's recommended towing weight is limited to 3500 pounds.
I believe the tongue of a loaded 4000 pound trailer could be a bit much for a non towing hitch optioned Grand Cherokee and I believe the overall weight and wind resistance could be a bit tasking for the v6.
If you decide on a Grand Cherokee, several of the Mopar parts online stores offer a brake controller for about a hundred dollars and I dont thnk it requires a dealer software flash.
If I were looking specifically for one to tow, I'd look instead at the Dodge Durango, (same vehicle but a little longer) with a factory tow hitch and V8 engine. That would be like going from a possible compromise to just plain OH YEA!

SueGib wrote:
Rawr? What would that be?

Rear Axle Weight Rating

Rawr? What would that be?

Exactly, rexlion. It's not so much a matter of if a the V6 JGC can do it. It will. But that doesn't mean the driver and passengers will be comfortable with it.

sch911 wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:

sch911 wrote:

I am a Jeep engineer.
The 2014 JGC is rated at 6200# towing.

You're an engineer. You of all people should know there is a lot more to towing a travel trailer than the tow rating. Have you actually towed a travel trailer that size with said TV? Not on a proving ground, but fully loaded on a trip with hills and wind?

That trailer at 4k "dry weight" is more likely over 5k loaded. While I don't doubt for a moment that the GC will tow the trailer safely, personal experience tells me that the closer you get to rated capacities, the less pleasant the overall towing experience is. In this case the OP should plenty of reserve capacity and the towing experience should be pretty decent.

Yes I have as a matter of fact! If fact that's my job. I've tested the JGC to much higher weight levels than that in much hotter climates than you can imagine. This is a fine combination of TV and TT. The fullly loaded 5K figure is really still 1200# below the rated towing weight. End of story! Oh, and in case you're one of those who say that you should never exceed 80% of the tow rating, you're wrong. I am done debating. I have said what needed to be said.

The OP hasn't said what year the 4Runner is, but just for an idea about its engine I looked up the 2011 model: 270 HP, 278 lb-ft torque. This is being compared to the GC V6 which has 290 HP and 260 tq. My question is, will 20 extra horsepower (but less torque) truly create a noticeably different towing experience? I am looking to buy a V6 GC for my next tow vehicle, too, but after towing roughly 3000 lb for about 140,000 miles with my Highlander (270 HP/ 240 tq) and finding the HL sorely lacking at high altitude on long grades... and BTW my trailers had less frontal area than what is being discussed here!... I would have thought that a 4700 lb., 8' wide TT would make the GC V6 performance seem quite lackluster. Can the 8 speed transmission and 20 more HP really make such a dramatic difference? If so, why?

You have heard from someone who knows.

I think the Jeep GC with the 3.6L Pentastar and the 8 speed would make a fine tow vehicle for the RV mentioned.