Vehicle/Travel Trailer Compatibility

Another camper you may want to look at is the A-Liner. No canvas, pop up and looks like a A frame. Very light, easy to use.

Just watching this thread evolve...
FYI- I wasn't really concerned about mpg when pulling a trailer, concerned about mpg when NOT pulling a trailer- which would be 95% of the time.

Getting back to the topic- Again, I am checking your expertise regarding the compatibility issue: '15 Jeep Cherokee (not the Grand Cherokee) V6 SAFELY pulling the i18 Cobblestone at almost 3000 lbs dry. I would expect to pull the trailer at no more than 60 mph or so. And yes, a weight distribution system and a sway bar would be added on.

By the way, does anyone have a Travel Lite i18 Cobblestone? If so, your opinion?

Terryallan wrote:
Agree. Running 75 with a trailer is just looking for a place to wreck.
And in truth. I know of no times where a driver cannot see a large mostly white wall with lights on it. When is the last time you heard of a school activity bus being rear ended on the interstate. they are regulated to 55 MPH, and most won't do that.

My "rig" will run as fast as I want to go. I'm just not stupid enough to run 75. I stay between 55, and 65 except when I don't pat attention to speed, and it creeps up toward 70.

I hear you, I krept up just over 65 a few times not watching, unless it's insistent on hunting gears, I try to set the cruise control when ever possible.

ryanw821 wrote:

KFCCaravan wrote:
I don't have my owners manual handy but a quick google seems to indicate the WK2 Grand Cherokees have a trailer frontal area limitation of 55 sq-ft - not 32. The Travel Lite i18 seems like it would have a frontal area less than that. Also, if your G.C. has the tow package, you should be legal to tow 6200lbs (not that I'd recommend that).
This trailer looks a like a really good match for the Grand Cherokee. I pull a trailer with very similar specifications with 2014 Grand Cherokee V8 and it is a joy to tow. The rig is rock solid with weight distribution and no sway control. MPG is not great but better than most gassers. I get between 10-13 mpg depending on my speed. The only thing I cannot speak to is how the V6 will perform. I think it would be adequate but be ready for sustained high rpm operation on any kind of a grade.
The 8 speed transmission really shines when towing. There is always an appropriate gear for any speed and load. The paddle shifters which initially seemed like a waste of space are actually very handy for using the transmission for engine braking on downhill grades.
As others have stated, you need to be cognizant of payload on this rig. Depending on your Grand Cherokee's trim level, you will have between 1350 lbs and 1050 lbs available for payload.

OP has a Cherokee, not Grand Cherokee. Much closer in size to my Liberty, than your Grand Cherokee.

oops my mistake
Disregard everything I said OP, lol.

Strongly suggest you discard the idea of towing above 65 - 70 mph. Total irresponsibility. Virtually all trailer tires note a MAX speed of 65 which doesn't mean 65 - 70 or more. If folks want to pass you when you're towing at 57, give them as much time and room as they need to safely do so. Completely agree that towing at 75 mph is dangerous for both your family and others and is just inviting disaster. There was a thread not too long ago re "what is your usual towing speed?" The vast majority were in the 57 - 63 range. Obviously, road conditions and traffic will vary, but safety is #1.

Not only is higher speed just asking for trouble, your mpg will drop like a rock. You'll find the best speed for your vehicle and trailer and try to stay there. In our case, we tow a 26' box travel trailer with an '03 F-150 CC, 5.4 with factory tow and about 62 puts us at the 2500 rpm and it tows and handles well and, better yet, we can STOP when we need to. Towing is only half the equation, stopping is the more important half.

Here's more:

The speed limits vary considerably by State. PA, where the OP lives is just starting to enact 70 MPH limita.

Of course, this has very little to do with the thread and the OP's choice of towing vehicle or trailer.

ryanw821 wrote:

Muddydogs wrote:

gemsworld wrote:
"Theres no such thing as a high MPG tow rig and a V6 Jeep pulling 4000 pounds is certainly not even close. Probably get 5 to 8 MPG with this combo if your lucky and have a tail wind."

I get 13 MPG with my V6 Jeep GC towing a Flagstaff Micro Lite 21DS at 55 MPH.

Well good for you and thanks for being a road hazard. I hope I am not coming the other way when all the crazies are trying to pass you on a 2 lane road. I feel you should at least have a rig that can tow a trailer at a reasonable speed and unfortunately 55 is not reasonable anymore and going this speed just makes you a road hazard. Even at 65 or 70 MPH I feel like a rock in the ocean with water flowing all around me as the crazy’s fly by. If you can’t run 65 on the interstate then your rig is subpar. Heck some Utah interstates are now posted at 80 and most state hwy’s are at least 65 which means 75 most of the time.

Seeing how damn near all trailer tires are rated for a max speed of 60-65mph, I don't want to be anywhere near you going 75mph, you're just as much a road hazard.

Agree. Running 75 with a trailer is just looking for a place to wreck.
And in truth. I know of no times where a driver cannot see a large mostly white wall with lights on it. When is the last time you heard of a school activity bus being rear ended on the interstate. they are regulated to 55 MPH, and most won't do that.

My "rig" will run as fast as I want to go. I'm just not stupid enough to run 75. I stay between 55, and 65 except when I don't pat attention to speed, and it creeps up toward 70.

KFCCaravan wrote:
I don't have my owners manual handy but a quick google seems to indicate the WK2 Grand Cherokees have a trailer frontal area limitation of 55 sq-ft - not 32. The Travel Lite i18 seems like it would have a frontal area less than that. Also, if your G.C. has the tow package, you should be legal to tow 6200lbs (not that I'd recommend that).
This trailer looks a like a really good match for the Grand Cherokee. I pull a trailer with very similar specifications with 2014 Grand Cherokee V8 and it is a joy to tow. The rig is rock solid with weight distribution and no sway control. MPG is not great but better than most gassers. I get between 10-13 mpg depending on my speed. The only thing I cannot speak to is how the V6 will perform. I think it would be adequate but be ready for sustained high rpm operation on any kind of a grade.
The 8 speed transmission really shines when towing. There is always an appropriate gear for any speed and load. The paddle shifters which initially seemed like a waste of space are actually very handy for using the transmission for engine braking on downhill grades.
As others have stated, you need to be cognizant of payload on this rig. Depending on your Grand Cherokee's trim level, you will have between 1350 lbs and 1050 lbs available for payload.

OP has a Cherokee, not Grand Cherokee. Much closer in size to my Liberty, than your Grand Cherokee.

Muddydogs wrote:

gemsworld wrote:
"Theres no such thing as a high MPG tow rig and a V6 Jeep pulling 4000 pounds is certainly not even close. Probably get 5 to 8 MPG with this combo if your lucky and have a tail wind."

I get 13 MPG with my V6 Jeep GC towing a Flagstaff Micro Lite 21DS at 55 MPH.

Well good for you and thanks for being a road hazard. I hope I am not coming the other way when all the crazies are trying to pass you on a 2 lane road. I feel you should at least have a rig that can tow a trailer at a reasonable speed and unfortunately 55 is not reasonable anymore and going this speed just makes you a road hazard. Even at 65 or 70 MPH I feel like a rock in the ocean with water flowing all around me as the crazy’s fly by. If you can’t run 65 on the interstate then your rig is subpar. Heck some Utah interstates are now posted at 80 and most state hwy’s are at least 65 which means 75 most of the time.

Seeing how damn near all trailer tires are rated for a max speed of 60-65mph, I don't want to be anywhere near you going 75mph, you're just as much a road hazard.