2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 tow vehicle

[StylinLP38]

Hi, I am so confused by all these tow vehicle terms and limitations that I was hoping someone could help me figure out my GVW for my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 /w Trailer Tow Group IV
I want to know if this travel trailer I am looking will be safe to tow and how much Cargo eight I will have left.

3.6L Pentastar® V6 VVT Engine
295 Horsepower
260 Pound-Feet of Torque

Max Towing:  6,200 Pounds, 
4x2/4x4 Max Payload:  1,180 Pounds
Curb weight: 4,545 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight (GWVR): 6,500 lbs.

The Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Jeep gross vehicle weight (GVW)
What is GVW of Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Jeep? This is the max weight the Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE including the max load that can be carried safely while used on the road.

The gross weight of the vehicle refers to the total weight the vehicle is actually carrying, including the weights of the empty vehicle, driver, passengers, cargo, fuel and optional accessories. If the vehicle is towing another vehicle or a trailer, its gross weight includes only the tongue weight of the second vehicle, rather than its entire weight. The tongue weight refers to the weight of the portion of the second vehicle that actually connects the two vehicles.
The gross weight of a vehicle should not exceed its gross weight vehicle rating, which refers to the vehicle's weight-carrying limit as given by the manufacturer. The GWVR is normally printed on the door frame of the vehicle on the driver's side and can also be found on the manufacturer's website.

Outdoor RV Blackrock 20RD
http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/black-rock/#
This is the brochure of the unit I am looking at
http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/brochure_back_country.pdf

Hitch Dry weight: 380 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 1900 lbs
Max Trailer Weight: 6000 lbs
Full Featured Dry Weight (lbs): 4300

As to the Hitch Tongue load: I would add the following:

2 batteries? 50 lbs
2x full 30lbs propane tanks = 100 lbs
100 LBS - Pro Series Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 750 lbs TW Item # PS49902
(is there a better recommendation?)
Driver and passenger = 350 lbs

[StylinLP38]

Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10K GTW, 1K TW.

I know it has been recommended many times over the years to get the Equilizer but this Reese is the newer version it is seems to be the same techonology as the Equilizer except the bars are tapered there they use Brake Pads to dampen the metal on metal rubbing. Any thoughts on this choice?

[jerem0621]

OP,

You have a heck of a TV...don't let anyone tell you different. Just keep your eyes on the trailers your Vehicle can comfortably tow and not those super massive TT's. a 30 ft TT ain't happening but you could properly match some 19-25 ish ft TT's.

My Family Minivan with the 3.6 Pentastar has towed thousands of miles near (dare I say above) GCVWR without a hiccup, without holding up traffic, getting pretty decent MPG. Albeit with a POPUP or a Utility Trailer and not a full profile trailer..

As far as Michelin Tires...have I the choice, they will never grace my vehicles again. Pure overpriced garbage in my experience. That's coming from four sets of pure garbage wearing that brand name that I have had the displeasure of owning. There are much better (and less expensive) choices out there. Granted my experience was with P class tires but it's the whole fool me four times thing I can't get past..

Also, you do not need LT tires for your SUV... air them up to the Max sidewall pressure and enjoy.. watch your loading and trailer weight and have fun. There are tons of Xtra Load P rated tires.

My Pickup is my first SuperCrew F150. It has P class tires and I have zero intention of going to a LT tire. It's just not needed in this class of vehicle. When my DW and I look for our next RV to pull with this truck we will be looking for something under 5,000 lbs dry, preferably closer to 4,000 lbs.

My last F150 pulled a 31.5 ft TT with P rated tires and I never had a single issue with those tires.

Also, please use a weight distribution hitch. Doesn't really matter which brand you choose, just set it up right and size it appropriately for your trailer. I use basic WD hitch with add on friction sway controls, I have no desire for anything else as it works great and is highly adjustable. I have found that the round bar style weight distribution hitch rides a little better with less jarring than a straight trunnion style hitch. Haveing had both, the round bars tend to taper more giving a better ride. IMHO that is.

If you need LT tires you probably need a 3/4 ton pickup to begin with. Right tool for the job folks 😉

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[sam22]

I never miss an opportunity to talk about how great the Grand Cherokee is! You won't have any trouble towing that trailer, but like everyone has said don't expect to get anyone really quickly. I also wouldn't bring too much stuff with you...try to keep the trailer under 5000lbs. I towed thousands of kilometres with my 2015 V6 and trailer with a dry weight of 4600lbs without much trouble.

[srt20]

Grit dog wrote:

srt20 wrote:
^^^ when driving, including towing, the TC stays locks. Its only unlocked at stops. I have a durango with the v6, 8sp.
Tow package has HD cooling, HD trans cooler, bigger alternator.

Well that helps, but it still unlocks at every gear change. Makes sense though with 8 speeds it's 2x more likely to find the right gear and the tc will stay locked more often.

Still not an ideal setup by any means for towing 6000lbs.

Just an FYI though, the same basic trans ZF 8 speed whatever it's called is used all the way up to the Hellcat and possibly the Demon.
They have a few different model designations for the different power levels but realistically it is an over built unit for only 300hp and should not be the weak link in any equation with lower powered vehicles.

Yes it unlocks at gear changes to prevent broken input shaft. It immediately locks after gear change. You cannot tell it locks and unlocks, its so fast.

The v6 8sp is not built as stout as the v8 8sp trans. Same design, less stout. The v6 8sp is assembled by FCA with ZF design. The v8 8 sp is designed and built by ZF.

[TurnThePage]

It may not get to the top of the mountain fastest, but I wouldn't hesitate to tow that trailer with that Jeep. Just be prudent with your loading and patient with your towing. Stuff that might normally ride in the Jeep can be placed in the trailer during towing. A weight distributing hitch will ease your payload a bit too.

[falconbrother]

My neighbor tows a 26 foot trailer with a Grand Cherokee with the V8. He claims that it does fine. The wheel base seems a bit short for my taste. The WD hitch should help a lot.

[Grit_dog]

srt20 wrote:
^^^ when driving, including towing, the TC stays locks. Its only unlocked at stops. I have a durango with the v6, 8sp.
Tow package has HD cooling, HD trans cooler, bigger alternator.

Well that helps, but it still unlocks at every gear change. Makes sense though with 8 speeds it's 2x more likely to find the right gear and the tc will stay locked more often.

Still not an ideal setup by any means for towing 6000lbs.

Just an FYI though, the same basic trans ZF 8 speed whatever it's called is used all the way up to the Hellcat and possibly the Demon.
They have a few different model designations for the different power levels but realistically it is an over built unit for only 300hp and should not be the weak link in any equation with lower powered vehicles.

[Bobbo]

Should be on the driver's door sticker.

[StylinLP38]

What is my gcvwr ? Its not anywhere on the internet

[srt20]

^^^ when driving, including towing, the TC stays locks. Its only unlocked at stops. I have a durango with the v6, 8sp.
Tow package has HD cooling, HD trans cooler, bigger alternator.

[Grit_dog]

I'm not the weight cops on here. Far from it. But my reccomendation is that's a bit too much trailer for the Jeep, but for different reasons than most stated.
Would I tow it? Yes, have done as much or more with less. Would I want to do it for many miles/days/mountains/altitude? Nope. And here's why.
Tongue weight, e load tires, wdh, etc. that's all fine and good. Rear axle on the Jeep will handle the stress no problem as well. Hook n go across the flat lands and don't plan on getting anywhere fast with a head wind.

The biggest issue I see is the engine is missing 2 cylinders. Towing a sail shaped brick behind the 6 banger will result in wringing out every last pony that engine has more often than not. That 300hp engine with a less than ideal torque output could be getting close to 200hp and under 200ftlbs within a half days drive of home.
That condition will worsen by about 3 percent for every 1000ft above sea level you drive. You're in the southwest so presumably mountain camping in the summer when it's 100deg in the valley is on he short list for destinations. This will result in higher coolant temps and transmission temps as the torque converter will not lock up near as much as if you has sufficient power to pull and could hold gears longer.
6cyl may not have hd cooling and hd trans cooler, you'd have to look into that as well.

JGCs are big suvs for their classification but are still mid size, as such. Outfitted with the hemi, they'll pull as good as most any full size SUV or half ton truck, but the econo engine is not a towing dream.

[mrw8i]

As well as towing capability, What will your mileage be while towing, especially going up hills/mountains? What size fuel tank? How many miles per tank while towing? I've known a few persons who towed with small vehicles and stopping every 120-150 miles for fuel was a pain.

[SpeakEasy]

StylinLP38 wrote:
Thanks for the advice. It is disappointing that one of the strongest SUV's on the market that has such impressive cargo and tow capacity compared to all the other SUV's still struggle to tow a small travel trailer.

The reason I decided to buy the truck LT tires based on my internet research was for stiffer walls over regular tires. That should help with some sway. The trailer I chose is only 380 lbs tongue weight dry. Much less than any other trailer over 20' long.

I hear you about your disappointment in the capabilities of your SUV. I felt the same way when I was facing a similar issue. For years I resisted going to a pickup. I loved me my SUV's. But when I began to realize that the "super crew cab" (or whatever other manufacturers call it) has MORE passenger space in the back seat than the SUV's I had been using, I was shocked. My truck is MORE comfortable for me and my passengers than my SUV's had been, and with a tonneau cover on the bed, I can carry gear that I do not want exposed to the elements. Now I am loving my truck!

-Speak

[APT]

StylinLP38 wrote:
Thanks for the advice. It is disappointing that one of the strongest SUV's on the market that has such impressive cargo and tow capacity compared to all the other SUV's still struggle to tow a small travel trailer.

Towing an high walled RV is one of the most challenging types of trailers. The large wind resistance combined with high side profile mean a higher than average TW helps them remain stable. That takes power and suspension that many of today's vehicles with seemingly good tow ratings not very pleasant when towing these types of trailers. Contrast an RV with a boat that is more aerodynamic with pointy front which tend to tow very well with under 10percent TW. A 6000 pound boat will tow better than a 4000 pound high walled RV.

I would recommend skipping the LT tires. They will heavier than comparable P type that have plenty of load capacity for the Jeep. Focus on a quality WDH with integrated sway control and learn how to adjust it. Get some extended towing mirrors and a proportional brake controller.