IS MY JEEP SAFE TO TOW A CAMPER????

[DGOYLER]

We own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 3.7L V6. It is rated to tow 6,200lbs. We are looking to purchase a camper with a "loaded" weight of 6,090lbs or a dry weight of 4,590. They say for our Jeep towing anything over 3,500lbs requires a weight distributing hitch. What is that? Is this going to be safe? Does this truly have enough power to do the job?

[trail-explorer]

Even though the trailer is under the weight limit (barely) of your GC, I wouldn't want to be towing that heavy of a trailer with a small SUV.

RoyB wrote:

The Cherokee of course is getting into the bigger frames and all and should be able to tow more then the TJs etc...

The Grand Cherokee and Cherokee don't have a "frame". They are both Unibody construction.

[Jebby14]

no. trust me I'm a jeep guy. I tow with my WJ (check out my sig) its the 4.7 V8 and the WJ was heavier with solid axles. Its significantly more capable than yours and my trailer is significantly less (roughly 4000 lb) I am rated for 6500lb towing but I only have 1000 lb payload. Tongue weight (13 percent ish) is 520lb. that only leaves 480 lbs for the jeep and myself mywife and my kids take most of that. a weight distributing hitch will take another 80lb or so off that payload. I tow ok with my rig but would DEFFINITLY not go any heavier. you are trying to tow much heavier with less. BAD idea

[2012Coleman]

sch911 wrote:
It is potentially doable.... (Jeep Engineer here)

Need more info.

What year is the JGC?
How long is the TT?

Not trying to be sarcastic here, but since you would know this, I'll ask:

How do you determine that a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 3.7L V6. is rated to tow 6,200lbs?

For argument sake, we will assume that it has a tow package and a sufficient hitch receiver to carry the tongue weight.

[tatest]

If you can stay within weight limits of the Jeep with your paasengers, cargo and hitch weight, and use a properlly set up weight distributing hitch with sway control, trailer brakes connected to a good controller, and you learn how to drive towing, and don't try to drive too fast, yes probably safe. Power is not a safety issue, but weight of tow vs weight of tow vehicle is, and you are pushung limits for someone new to the experience.

But it is not going to be a lot of fun, towing at maximum combination weights with a relatively small high output V-6 that has to spin to high RPM to get the power needed for acceleration and grade climbing. I've had 4.0-4.2 sixes, 5.0. 5.4, 5.7 and 6.5 V-8 engines with similar HP ratings to Chrysler's do everything V-6, but the bigger the engine, the lower the RPM needed to get this power, and the wider the RPM range over which pulling power is available.

With a late model Grand Cherokee and the 3.7, I'd be trying to stay under 4500 pounds loaded, which is my target weight for towing behind a 6300 pound van with nominal 6700 "towing capacity" because I know how it feels empty, how it feels loaded to 8000 pounds, and the maximum combined rating (13,000 in this case) is really stretching things for a 5.4 V8.

[fla-gypsy]

No IMO

[Boon_Docker]

sch911 wrote:

DGOYLER wrote:
We are looking into lighter TT's. Probably 26'-28' in the wet range of 4500-5500lbs

our Jeep is a 2014 JGC Overland 4x2 3.7L V6 with a tow rating of 6,200lbs

Actually it's a 3.6L Pentastar engine (we don't make a 3.7L anymore).

My TT ratings for this generation JGC are:

26Ft. maximum length.
6000# maximum weight.
A WDH with true (non friction) integrated sway control (such as the Hensley).

We towed much larger trailers during the development of this vehicle under very difficult temperature and grade conditions. I am certain you'll have no issues if you stay with those recommendations (despite what the naysayers have been saying).

For the Overland max payload is 1090 lb. With a 6000 lb trailer the tongue weight is approx 900 lb. That leaves 190 lbs for cargo passengers etc.

I wouldn't be towing a 6000 lb trailer with that vehicle.

[jerem0621]

Pentastar is a really good engine...I've been towing with mine off and on for many of the 65k mikes I have with my Van. But I tow under 4,000 lbs and it does a heck of a good job...just lock out into fifth gear and make sure that stupid eco leaf is turned off...these things are two different motors with that eco leaf button pushed.

As far as the actual performance of the Pentastar V6 and the Jeep GC platform... I spoke with a man who was towing a 23-25 ft Airstream with his GC and told me that it was a fantastic platform. He said it was stable and pulled much better than the BMW X5 they had before the Jeep. He was using a standard WD hitch with no sway control.

Just do your Diligence and be careful...the Jeep is a very capable platform and will do the job. I am seeing more and more Jeep GC and Durangos being used as TV for TT in my area...one of my neighbors has used a Jeep Commander for years to tow his TT...

Not everyone needs a truck and these new SUV's are coming out with some stout capabilities.

Just be reasonable with the trailer weight, aerodynamics, and vehicle loading...pay attention to the ratings...when everything is dialed in towing is a pure pleasure...I know my Van is.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[sch911]

DGOYLER wrote:
We are looking into lighter TT's. Probably 26'-28' in the wet range of 4500-5500lbs

our Jeep is a 2014 JGC Overland 4x2 3.7L V6 with a tow rating of 6,200lbs

Actually it's a 3.6L Pentastar engine (we don't make a 3.7L anymore).

My TT ratings for this generation JGC are:

26Ft. maximum length.
6000# maximum weight.
A WDH with true (non friction) integrated sway control (such as the Hensley).

We towed much larger trailers during the development of this vehicle under very difficult temperature and grade conditions. I am certain you'll have no issues if you stay with those recommendations (despite what the naysayers have been saying).

[RandACampin]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
example. my 04 Ram 1500 3.7L v6..2 wheel drive. with a manual transmission. had a towing of 3,300 pounds.. same engines as yours.
my trailer was 3,000 pounds empty. that engine worked Real Hard on the smallest of hills. WV,V,Tenn. 4,500 rpms and 45 mph... on freeways. with 3:55 gears.

can it do it "YES" but will it last?????????

[RandACampin]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Can it do it? Technically yes, but it won't be a pleasant experience. The small tow vehicle and lack of power will be very noticeable.

Go somewhere like etrailer and search for weight distribution hitches. In brief, they take weight from the rear axle and apply it to the front axle. The Equal-i-zer brand is popular.

Keep in mind that passengers and gear in the tow vehicle should be subtracted from the tow rating.

.

[dodge_guy]

ChooChooMan74 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
The new 3.7L (Pentastar) is different than the old 3.7L.

The new 3.7L has plenty of power, but I would reserve it only for a PuP or a small TT. the neighbor down the street has a Durango with the 3.7L and tows a 22ft Hybrid and hasn`t complained about power, but he stays within 5 hours of home!

For the kind of weight your considering I would go with the V-8.

You are correct about the Pentastar being a totally different engine, but it is 3.6l compared to the 3.7. I would consider a Pentastar in a Ram 1500 short wheel base single cab if I ever needed a work truck.

Thanks. I realized it when I clicked on this thread just now. 3.6L! Yes it is a good everyday engine. But for significant weight the V-8 is the way to go!

[ChooChooMan74]

dodge guy wrote:
The new 3.7L (Pentastar) is different than the old 3.7L.

The new 3.7L has plenty of power, but I would reserve it only for a PuP or a small TT. the neighbor down the street has a Durango with the 3.7L and tows a 22ft Hybrid and hasn`t complained about power, but he stays within 5 hours of home!

For the kind of weight your considering I would go with the V-8.

You are correct about the Pentastar being a totally different engine, but it is 3.6l compared to the 3.7. I would consider a Pentastar in a Ram 1500 short wheel base single cab if I ever needed a work truck.

[boosTT]

Its going to be stressful towing.

[DGOYLER]

We are looking into lighter TT's. Probably 26'-28' in the wet range of 4500-5500lbs

our Jeep is a 2014 JGC Overland 4x2 3.7L V6 with a tow rating of 6,200lbs

[NanciL]

Don't do it !

You won't be a happy camper !

Jack L