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valkyr2001's avatar
valkyr2001
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017

towing with Jeep GC

got my April 2017 issue of Trailer Life and read with interest the article in RV Clinic titled "Overweight from the get go". RVer is towing 25 foot Keystone using Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.6 L V6 and is not happy with the Jeep capabilities.
I've been towing our Keystone Hideout 27BH with our 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland (5.7L V8)and couldn't be happier. It has factory hitch tow package and anti-sway control. All I did was install trailer brake system. I can do 65 mph without any issues ( easy to say in the flatlands of Illinois). I'd recommend the 5.7L Grand Cherokee to anyone with a travel trailer as long as they stick within the published capabilities of the Jeep. No, I am not an employee of Jeep or Fiat... I retired from computer programming in 2011 and am enjoying camping with my grandsons. Love my Jeep! It cost me some money, but it was worth it. And I average about 20 mpg(when not towing) 14 mpg with the trailer. that's still better than the 12 mpg I got with my 2nd car (1974 Chevy Malibu Classic 350 c.i.d.) back in 1974!! auto Tech has come a long way since then.
just wanted to comment about my Jeep and towing
Joe V
  • sam22's avatar
    sam22
    Explorer III
    I can't say enough good things about my Grand Cherokee! We had a 2015 V6 and we towed it across the US last year, put on over 10 000km and never felt like it couldn't handle our 4600lb trailer. The car ended up getting totalled in a car accident at Christmas (which really sucked!) but we had vehicle replacement and we didn't even consider anything other than a new GC. We went for the V8 and I'm very excited to see how it tows when summer finally gets here!
  • valkyr2001 wrote:
    got my April 2017 issue of Trailer Life and read with interest the article in RV Clinic titled "Overweight from the get go". RVer is towing 25 foot Keystone using Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.6 L V6 and is not happy with the Jeep capabilities.
    I've been towing our Keystone Hideout 27BH with our 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland (5.7L V8)and couldn't be happier. It has factory hitch tow package and anti-sway control. All I did was install trailer brake system. I can do 65 mph without any issues ( easy to say in the flatlands of Illinois). I'd recommend the 5.7L Grand Cherokee to anyone with a travel trailer as long as they stick within the published capabilities of the Jeep. No, I am not an employee of Jeep or Fiat... I retired from computer programming in 2011 and am enjoying camping with my grandsons. Love my Jeep! It cost me some money, but it was worth it. And I average about 20 mpg(when not towing) 14 mpg with the trailer. that's still better than the 12 mpg I got with my 2nd car (1974 Chevy Malibu Classic 350 c.i.d.) back in 1974!! auto Tech has come a long way since then.
    just wanted to comment about my Jeep and towing
    Joe V


    How much does your trailer weight loaded for travel? I have a 2011 WK2 Summit with a 5.7. My current trailer is a Clipper 17FQ. Would like something a bit bigger. My favorite trailer is a Creekside that is 5300 poundsdry.

    I spend most of my time traveling from Minnesota to the Rockies and back. Typical trip is 5,000 miles over 2 weeks crossing mountains.
  • I remember my first Jeep. It was an M151 in OD green..... actually it belonged to my Uncle, but he let me drive it for a few months!

    Loved 'em since then!!
  • I have a 2014 Grand Cherokee with the v6 engine. I tow our '16 Flagstaff Microlite 23LB. Definitely a lightweight trailer but no issues towing it with the jeep. I added a WDH and brake controller.
  • My wife would be in a Grand Cherokee, but she didn't like the very high window openings. She felt closed in and I have to say I did too. So we opted for a 13 Explorer Limited. Still love the GC and it is very capeable within its limits!
  • Jebby14 wrote:
    I loved my WJ although the WJ is out of date. I've been a Jeep guy for a long time (check my sig) but opted for an F150 this time around since the new "Jeeps" aren't Jeeps. independent axles, electronic 4x4, and computer voodoo that has no place in a Jeep IMO


    This is a new Jeep and would drive it, although I love driving my 1998 TJ.


  • :) nice to see a fellow jeeper. my WJ was close to stock and handled towing duty. I did refresh the front end and add a beefy steering stabilizer but aside from that the quadra drive was all I needed (the very-loks in front and rear diff were awesome) the TJ before that was lifted and bedlined with the works, light bars and full skids and all the goodies and what not so im familiar. all part of the offroad game. not looking to take a 60k grocery getter into the mud pits so to me im better off with a truck that has more payload and power for less money. do home the jeeps of old come back some day though
  • Jebby14 wrote:
    I loved my WJ although the WJ is out of date. I've been a Jeep guy for a long time (check my sig) but opted for an F150 this time around since the new "Jeeps" aren't Jeeps. independent axles, electronic 4x4, and computer voodoo that has no place in a Jeep IMO

    My 1st GC was a '99 WJ with the 4.7L v-8. It was a great car until I tried to lift it 4". that's when I had to deal with death wobble!! So I took it apart again and then got a 2007 WK Overland. With the solid axles on the WJ, every bump in the road would create a little side-to-side wiggle( even with adjustable track bar and drop pitman arm. The IFS on the WK was an improvement. Everything is even better on my 2014 WK2 Overland. Nicer interior, Quadralift, NAV, I got the works!! To me, it's been great. I drive it offroad in the
    UP (the hunting cabin)and it's our tow vehicle. travel trailer and utility trailer.It's not a grocery-getter.
    Glad you're happy with your WJ. I had a bored-out throttle body, low restriction exhaust and cone filter on mine. Loved the small seat-of-the-pants performance boost.
  • I loved my WJ although the WJ is out of date. I've been a Jeep guy for a long time (check my sig) but opted for an F150 this time around since the new "Jeeps" aren't Jeeps. independent axles, electronic 4x4, and computer voodoo that has no place in a Jeep IMO