Flat towing with my Class C

[StaceyH1977]

I was torn as to which forum to put this in but since the question is more regarding how the motorhome will do I decided to put it here.

I have a 2016 Coachman Freelander, 33', Ford Chassis with the V-10. I currently have a 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit which weighs in at about 5500 lbs. So, is within the weight the RV can pull, rated at 7500 lbs. I have the opportunity to trade for a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited which weighs around 4300 lbs.

Is the difference of 1200 lbs going to make a huge/noticeable difference when it comes to pulling a vehicle? In your opinion, would you prefer to pull the Wrangler over the Grand Cherokee?

Thanks!!

[Racine96]

X2 to Ron's comment. That is why we don't have a Wrangler. My son has two and the noise level on the interstate is too much for us oldies.

[ron_dittmer]

I also agree.

A Wrangler is a real "Jeep". For most people, it is not a domesticated vehicle for every-day use.

My wife loves the Wrangler, so much that she thought she wanted one as her every day vehicle. I warned her about them being rough and tough and not very ergonomic, and so we went to a Jeep dealer and had her kick the tires on a new one. It took all of about 10 minutes before she said that she should consider something else. Her 1st runner up was a 1st generation Jeep Liberty and so we bought a lightly used 2006. That was almost 9 years ago and she still loves her Liberty so much that I think she'll never let it go. It has only 76,000 miles today so it has lots of life left.

Our 2006 Liberty with street tires does a lot better off-roading than we both expected. We have been in Canyonlands via Potash, and Long Canyon nearby and it did great. It does have it's limits which we learned trying to get to Tower Arch via the primitive trail, in Arches National Park. We had to turn back when the steps got higher than the front axle. With that experience, we never tried getting down to the Colorado River off Schaefer's Trail in Canyonlands.

My point to this is that a Liberty, 1st or 2nd generation, is a good alternative to a Wrangler, if the Wrangler is too much "Jeep" for you for every day use.

[Racine96]

I agree with Mr. Simon, if you going to be using the car a lot while traveling, choose something that is comfortable and meet your needs. We tow either a Cherokee or a Patriot because we use it a lot when we arrived to the new place.

[MrSimon]

I wouldn't make the decision just based on weight for towing. I'm assuming you'll use the Jeep (either one) as a primary vehicle when not RVing. Since you'll spend so much time in it, get the one you like best and are most comfortable in.

Neither one is all that light for towing, but then again neither one will give you much trouble either.

[Islandman]

We tow an older Jeep Wrangler with our Class C, no problems and the smaller vehicle makes it easy to tow into tight turns like in parking lots, campgrounds, etc. We removed the rear seat and the Jeep now makes a convenient place to put larger items such as lawn chairs, the screen tent, larger cooler, and other stuff that was taking up too much space in the Class C. Our jeep is equipped with the StayNPlay braking system with is one of the best, and is out of your way when driving the Jeep. You're making the right decision to get the Wrangler!

[Livies_Dad]

The hitch on my 2017 Jayco 26xd is rated at 7500#. Would not want to pull something that heavy tho. will stick to my 06 crv.

[ron_dittmer]

I did not realize that some class Cs are getting equipped with a 7500 pound hitch. I assume the rear frame extension of the house is beefed up appropriately.

[tatest]

I definitely noticed the difference between the 3600 pound weight of a compact pickup and the 2600 pounds of a subcompact hatchback. I have 300 yards of 6-8% grade as soon as I pull out of my street, trying to accelerate from 0 to 25 mph. Except for acceleration and hills, I don't often notice the difference in tow weight, once up to highway speeds it doesn't matter much on level ground.

[StaceyH1977]

DrewE wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:

If you end up towing the 5500 pound vehicle, you will be over the rating of the hitch which is 5000 pounds for just about every class C. It used to worse. Most older class C motor homes made prior to 2005 were equipped with a 3500 pound hitch. I have not heard of a class C with a hitch rated higher than 5000 pounds. You will want to look into that before making a final decision.

According to the Coachmen website, the current Freelander models built on the Ford E-450 chassis do come equipped with a 7500 pound hitch. I assume they upgraded it when Ford upped the GCWR spec for the E450 chassis.

I think there are a few other class C's (on the E450) that currently offer a 7500 pound hitch as standard. Of course, many super-C's also have similar or greater tow capacities, but that's a different matter entirely.

Drew would be correct. I am going to go ahead and trade for the Wrangler Unlimited. While it does have a small lift and more aggressive tires it does travel down the road nice so should be fine as a dinghy tow vehicle. Thanks all for your insight, much appreciated!

[Racine96]

I think it make a difference if you get a lighter vehicle.

[elcheapo]

The hitch on my 2016 Jayco Redhawk 29XK (32 feet)class c is rated for 7500 lbs.

[carringb]

The larger mud tires on the Wrangler might negate the lower weight, at least when pulling. It might push less when braking however.

[DrewE]

ron.dittmer wrote:

If you end up towing the 5500 pound vehicle, you will be over the rating of the hitch which is 5000 pounds for just about every class C. It used to worse. Most older class C motor homes made prior to 2005 were equipped with a 3500 pound hitch. I have not heard of a class C with a hitch rated higher than 5000 pounds. You will want to look into that before making a final decision.

According to the Coachmen website, the current Freelander models built on the Ford E-450 chassis do come equipped with a 7500 pound hitch. I assume they upgraded it when Ford upped the GCWR spec for the E450 chassis.

I think there are a few other class C's (on the E450) that currently offer a 7500 pound hitch as standard. Of course, many super-C's also have similar or greater tow capacities, but that's a different matter entirely.

[ron_dittmer]

We used to tow a 2100 pound Toyota MR2 Spyder. We then switched to a 4100 pound Jeep Liberty. The 2000 pound difference was very noticeable. That does not mean it's a problem concerning power. The concern for me was braking so I got a good tow brake kit and all is well.

Don't skimp on a tow brake. There are some great kits available and some that are marginal. Ours in our Liberty is a permanent installation which maintains vacuum in the power brake booster so the cable driven braking solenoid is much more effective. Also with a permanent installation, there is nothing to see and nothing to fuss with. The only matter at hand is that it is difficult to remove and install in a replacement tow vehicle.

If you end up towing the 5500 pound vehicle, you will be over the rating of the hitch which is 5000 pounds for just about every class C. It used to worse. Most older class C motor homes made prior to 2005 were equipped with a 3500 pound hitch. I have not heard of a class C with a hitch rated higher than 5000 pounds. You will want to look into that before making a final decision.