Ok, we have always wanted a TT but have never really gotten around to taking a step past "we want one" lol. But here we are finally ready to move forward. 2 adults, 1 14 y/o and 3 small dogsWe are getting the 2014 Jeep grand Cherokee Limited (V6) - 6200 lbs rated towing - Class IV hitch with 7/4 pin plug.Currently looking at: Keystone Hideout 210LHS - which we have seen and love. (i think) 4500lbsCrossroads Z-1 211RD - waiting for one to come in (soon) so we can look at it in person - i think its 4200 lbsMy main questions are:1) I should be fine as far as size/weight - right?2) they say we need a weight distribution hitch... yes? true? (it sounds like i need it! lol)3) they said we needed a electric brake control system - The SRT crew at the jeep dealership said NO! if you put that in, it voids the electrical warranty, and it does not need it. The jeep is designed to pull up to 6200 lbs and has larger disc brakes specifically for stopping extra weight. 4) are there any other things we need/dont need? I have NO clue and do not want to get sold something I dont need.5) anyone have either of these? pros/cons?Any help would be great! Thank you!

barely okyes you will need a wdh and i highly recommend a hensley or propride since you dont tow. You wont like the feeling I am sure.the dealership obviously does not have a clue

To put it bluntly, NO!There is no substitute for cubic inches when towing. V6'es are really not suitable to move a large sail behind them. If you do go for the Jeep, either get the V8 or consider tent trailers.

the "made up" 6200lb towing means you can probably PULL a boat or flat deck. it does not mean you can CARRY a 6200 lb travel trailer.You will be limited on TW which it will say 620lbs. I would stick to a loaded weight no more than 4500lbs

you will not be able to safely tow either one of those trailers you posted with a Cherokee....dont even think about it.

For close to the same money get a Ram 1500, hemi, quad cab short bed. It will do a lot better than the jeep and there is lots more room.

Newbie TT shopper - help? :) | Good Sam Community

Highway_4x4
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
Jeep GC's are nice cars, great for camping but not for pulling a TT full of stuff. Things go bad fast on the hwy and if the tail wags the dog it usually ends badly. Just to think outside the box.... Tow a small trailer and stay in camping cabins and yurts at campgrounds then head to the outback once in a while with the tent. For a few more $$$$, tow the Jeep behind a motorhome. Good luck, take your time choosing.
Hoosierdaddy47
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
Just FYI, unless the Jeep has a FACTORY tow package installed, it will likely not have the plug to accept the controller. My Durango had a dealer installed hitch, with the seven-pin connection, and wires run to the front, but I had to run wires through the firewall (both directions-not something you do for fun!). If it does have the tow pkg, there should be a blue socket up behind the far left end of the dash. And I can pull 5000 lbs of hybrid all day long at 12 MPG with a 335 HP Hemi.
StaticFX
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
i did just talk to a Jeep engineer who said the wiring should be there, just need to add the controller. He also said that the jeep does very well with TT's up to 26' and 6200#'s (he is a tester and puts them on jeeps in AZ in the summer with the a/c rolling lol) so i jest need to do some calcs.
memgrove
Explorer
Jun 30, 2013
Just a tip about new Trailer brake controllers. Most of the newer models are "Plug and play" no need to "Splice" anything. They usually just plug in OR unplug a connection in the vehicle wire harness and slip in a connector for the brake controller and you are off and running. No need to ever cut a wire, most of the time anymore. You may have to buy a vehicle specific harness (they are not expensive maybe $15-$25) but it is well worth it!
StaticFX
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
thats what i was going to ask next

is the GVWR that max the TT can hold? so the TT + water + propane tanks + stuff needs to be less than the GVWR?

so if we load the stuff into the TT we have a little more room for size. like something at 4k gvwr (max)?

(reading other forums - the jeep ones - i see people saying thats about where they stop. most wont go over that)

i am REALLLY glad i posted here before getting boned at the rv place! lol Thanks!
3_0charlie
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
That's about right. Not much left - and don't forget fuel.

I'd load the TT as much as it could though instead of using the Jeep's payload.
StaticFX
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
ahh ok.. so. as far as i can tell the payload is 1150 lbs.

payload - (the passengers weight + the dogs + the gear + TT tongue weight + the sway hitch)

1150 - 500(us + dogs) = 650
650 - 300 for food + stuff = 350
350 - 100 for sway hitch = 250 left for tt tongue weight??

am i thinking correctly? that sucks! lol

at what weight do u need a WDH?

thanks!
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2013
One more time.... Do not look at "Dry" weights... ever! Sort of like an eclipse, they will only hurt you. :B If you have your heart set on the Jeep get the model with the most payload as that is the weakest link in your proposed equation.

On any trailer you are considering take 13% of the trailers GVWR and that will give you a real world tongue weight that you can live with. Yes this method does allow a little fudge room but not all that much. That TW + 100# for the WDH must be subtracted from the tow vehicles payload. What is left equals what you can load into TV which in your case = 3 bodies, dogs, tools, gear, firewood etc (you get the idea).

You will probably run out of payload long before you get even close to the TV's towing capacity. :C
donn0128
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2013
Car salesman wants to sell you more car than you can afford. RV salesman wants to sell you the most expensive RV he can. Neither have your best interest at heart. Let's face facts. You are stuck on Jeep products so you havebasically two or three choices. No RV or a very small light tent trailer an A liner or teardrop trailer. The Jeep just does not have tow capacity or strength for more.
popupcamping
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
yes..they do not care and just want a sale...you are in small hybrid or popup category and since you never hauled a trailer I wouldn't venture into a large TT yet

and you want to keep your GVWR at 4500 lbs MAXIMUM..you cannot handle anymore TW than that