Hello,First time buyer here and doing the research. I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L Hemi V8 4x4 Limited with the Class IV trailer set up. Here are the vehicle specs:Towing Capacity: 7200Tongue: 740GCWR: 13100Curb: 5150Payload: 1150 (EDITED FOR CORRECTION)Here's where I am now working the numbers. I am using the Jayco 26BH as a placeholder for the weights.Jeep Curb (inclusive of fuel) @ 5150 + Jeep Payload (me, wife, kids, 300lbs misc) 800 + Jayco 26BH @ 4505 + Jayco tongue @ 445 + Trailer Misc load @ 1000 (includes bikes, water, misc etc) = 11200 lbs which is under the 13100 GCWR.The trailer at 4505 plus 1000 misc = 5505 which is 75% of the towing capacity of 7200 which seems to be a good rule of thumb.So basically a 4500lb to 5000lb trailer seems to be doable so far in my research. Can someone please double check my math to make sure I'm correct and I'm not missing something critical?So now that I have the weights somewhat sorted, I am starting to look online at the models that fall in that class. The Jayco 26BH is a contender as I have 3 kids but I realize this trailer is going to feel small when we are all in it together.I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions folks might have so I can get some data together before attending the next RV show. I can do the math but realize there are many realities of spending long weekends as family in a small camper that you guys have learned over the years. Are slide outs even an option for me? BH models definitely seem like the best option so those are of particular interest.Thanks so much in advance.

I think your weights are a little close, but possibly doable. I would watch the trailer length. The wheelbase of a Grand Cherokee is very, very short. You will definitely need a WDH and sway control, which will add plenty to the total weight.

We just went through all of this and purchased a Keystone Passport Elite 28bh. It's longer than what you're looking at but we had to stick with light weight trailers. We have 3 boys so needed the bunk house too.You might take a look at Keystone Passport series. You can find light weight trailers with bunks and slide outs. Bullet was another that was light weight with slide outs and bunks. Cruiser had models as well. We have a Dodge Durango with a hemi and our trailer towed pretty well. We did get an anti-sway hitch which really helped.

James_A wrote:Hello,First time buyer here and doing the research. I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L Hemi V8 4x4. Here are the vehicle specs:Towing Capacity: 7200Tongue: 740GCWR: 13100Curb: 5150Payload: 1660Here's where I am now working the numbers. I am using the Jayco 26BH as a placeholder for the weights.Jeep Curb (inclusive of fuel) @ 5150 + Jeep Payload (me, wife, kids, 300lbs misc) 800 + Jayco 26BH @ 4505 + Jayco tongue @ 445 + Trailer Misc load @ 1000 (includes bikes, water, misc etc) = 11200 lbs which is under the 13100 GCWR.The trailer at 4505 plus 1000 misc = 5505 which is 75% of the towing capacity of 7200 which seems to be a good rule of thumb.So basically a 4500lb to 5000lb trailer seems to be doable so far in my research. Can someone please double check my math to make sure I'm correct and I'm not missing something critical?So now that I have the weights somewhat sorted, I am starting to look online at the models that fall in that class. The Jayco 26BH is a contender as I have 3 kids but I realize this trailer is going to feel small when we are all in it together.I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions folks might have so I can get some data together before attending the next RV show. I can do the math but realize there are many realities of spending long weekends as family in a small camper that you guys have learned over the years. Are slide outs even an option for me? BH models definitely seem like the best option so those are of particular interest.Thanks so much in advance.I'm not sure I understand how you are coming up with the numbers. You are listing tongue and payload as if they are two different numbers. You have to subtract from the payload the tongue weight of your trailer. What you have left is available payload for occupants and cargo inside the tow vehicle. Or, you could subtract from the payload your occupants and cargo and what is remaining is available for a trailer tongue weight. I've looked at the Jeep website at http://www.jeep.com/en/jeep_capabilities/towing/#GrandCherokee1Tab* and couldn't find a Grand Cherokee listed with a payload of 1660lbs. In reality, 1660lbs of payload available on a midsize SUV would be fantastic! But I don't think it exists. The most I see listed is 1350lbs on a 2WD model. Also, the payload and towing ratings are assuming that your Grand Cherokee model is equipped with the trailer tow group. Here is how I would look at the actual numbers. Assuming (never a good thing - get on a scale and get weighed) : 1350lbs of payload capacity1350lbs - 800lbs (you, your wife and kids + 300lbs misc) = 550lbs remaining.(You mentioned the 26BH weighing 4500lbs, if that is dry expect it weight much more. You mentioned adding 1000lbs of gear to the trailer. So, 5500lbs is what you're expecting the trailer to weight. I would typically base my tongue weight calculations on the GTWR instead to see if I'm safe. Presuming the GTWR is 6000lbs you could expect to have a tongue weight of anywhere between 10-13% of the total trailer weight to be safe. 10-13% of 6000lbs would be 600-780lbs. 550lbs remaining payload capacity - 600lbs of tongue weight = -50lbs of capacity. You're over the limit. It is very close and this is assuming you have a 2012 Grand Cherokee 2WD. These payload figures that I am basing this off of is the Jeep.com website. You can find your actual payload capacity by weighing your Jeep and subtracting that weight from the GVWR for that Jeep which should be listed on the driver door jam on a nice little sticker. It might even have the math done for you and give you a payload capacity. Typically, I never take the manufacturers word for it because they tend to be off and sometimes off substantially. I am not saying it can't be done or shouldn't be done. Like mentioned above you will want a weight distribution hitch as well as a good trailer sway system with a short wheelbase tow vehicle like the Grand Cherokee. You will not have any problems pulling the load with the HEMI the issue will be safety. You have a 26' wind catcher applying pressure to the rear axle of a short wheelbase vehicle. The force applied can be huge and enough to get you into a bad situation with a swaying trailer really quickly. Best of luck to you! BTW, I also own a Grand Cherokee except it's with the 3.6L Pentastar - awesome vehicle!

If possible, test tow 4,000lbs and see how you like it before buying something even heavier. Good luck.

Depending on trim, I'm seeing a payload rating of 1080-1250lbs. The limited has 1250lbs payload, summit has 1080lbs payload. 1660lbs payload is more than my Ram 1500. The tongue weight isn't added to the gcwr. The gcwr is just the vehicle with all cargo, and trailer with all cargo (fluids passengers ect). The tongue weight isn't added. Example: 4505lbs (Jayco dry weight) + 1000 lbs (trailer cargo, bikes ect) + 5150 lbs (Jeep weight) + 800lbs (family and cargo in jeep) = 11,455 combined weight. The tongue weight counts against your vehicle payload. If you have 800lbs of passengers and cargo, you have between 280 and 450 lbs of payload left. That means your max tongue weight would be 280-450lbs (depending on trim level of your Jeep).

TT choices with a Hemi Jeep Grand Cherokee (specs inside)

skripo
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
I have and love a 24' Fun Finder 242BDS. Weighs 5000 LBS loaded (weighed at the cat scale). I just picked up a 2014 Dodge Durango R/T (essentially same as you).

You really should take a look at the Fun Finder 242BDS, it is by far the nicest and lightest trailer you will find. It weighs in at 4,700 pounds dry, has a slide, a bunkhouse, fantastic upscale kitchen, and really spacious bathroom.
Jdizzle
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
Well neato...my wife and I just picked up our first real TT (restored a 71 Shasta compact and used it last year). We have a 2001 GC hemi overland with the air lift suspension. Picked up a 2002 Fleetwood Prowler 20N and pulls like a dream. We live in Colorado if that gives you any idea of the capability.
James_A
Explorer
Mar 29, 2015
bump. i am revisiting this and wondering if anyone has any further experiences with the Jeep Hemi towing. We would be looking at a bunkhouse model.
TomSaraMiles
Explorer
Apr 01, 2014
I have a 2007 Commander with very similar numbers. I tow a Lance 2180 (pre-slide model) with no problems. The short wheelbase of the Jeep is noticeable, though. I'm using friction sway control and want to upgrade to something better.
bradnailer
Explorer
Mar 31, 2014
Can't help you with the math but, I have a 2013 Jeep with the same set up. My trailer weighs between 6,000 and 6,500# loaded and it tows just fine.
rexlion
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
KZ has some possibilities in the Sportsmen Classic and Spree Escape lines.

I think the driver might not have to be included in payload on most vehicles (usually a 150 lb driver and a tank of gas are already figured in), and that would help you a bit. But I haven't actually checked on how Chrysler does their payload numbers.
Dottie5
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
The Lance is a nice looking TT. I don't recall us even discussing that one.

There are so many to choose from - it's hard to navigate through all the choices! But I'm glad we have the choices otherwise we would never have been able to have a TT.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Mar 30, 2014
ooops..
Dottie5
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
Hi James, it did tow ok. We have a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway bar. We drove it from Oklahoma where we bought it through some pretty strong cross winds. It was a little bumpy with the gusts but we managed. Without the weight distribution hitch and anti-sway bar, I really don't think we could have towed it. Without the strong cross winds, it towed straight as an arrow, with light breezes.

It was a lot of research trying to find a trailer that would fit us all, give us some space and that our Durango could haul. I didn't mean to suggest you buy the trailer we did, just that our specs were very similar and that's what we ended up buying. I think you might have a bit shorter wheel base with your Grand Cherokee. Here is a Keystone that's pretty light weight but would give you the bunks and a slide out for a little extra space. http://www.keystonerv.com /passport/ (sorry link didn't work. It's 2300BH model)

Cruiser has a light weight with bunks and slide out http://cruiserrv.com/products/fun-finder/floorplans/item/f-242bds

We looked at Jayco but they didn't have anything light enough with enough space for us. That's why we branched out into different manufacturers and models. The prices were less too. There were a few more but these were the ones we concentrated on because the tongue weight and dry weight fit our vehicle best.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Mar 30, 2014
My 22' no slide, no bunk sleeps 2 trailer weighs #5000 (it's dry weight was #3400). TW is around #650. Towed it with a 97 F150 with 139" wheelbase for over 11 years and while I had no issues towing it, I was over the truck GVWR by a tad... It's just two of us, but admittedly, we pack heavy.. :)

I knew the trailer is back there for sure, but it was always a good tow.

Can't wait to tow it with the new 13 F150! :)

Good luck with the quest!

Mitch

Forum Discussion

TT choices with a Hemi Jeep Grand Cherokee (specs inside)

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Tire choice

Generator choices

Grand Cherokee

choice

Too many choices