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What can I tow safely with my TV

UntetheredExplo
Explorer
Explorer
Hello all wise ones out there! I plan to hit the road full-time next spring. I will drive a fair amount to explore much of this grand country I call home-including some mountain areas (Rv at the park and unhitch is an option) and boondocking on BLM.

I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4, Summit with tow package, V8, 5.7L. Max towing 7200lb, max payload 1050lb, GVWR 6800lb.

What is the max TT weight I can safely tow?

I have my eye on a Dutchman Kodiak 2500rbsl, ship wt 5400, hitch weight 596, cargo max wt 1185. If so, any recommendation on anti-sway bars and WDH? I will need to add trailer auto brake, right? What else?

I LOVE my Jeep and really do not want to sell for a truck. Hope this works but if not, what weight do I need to be under? I will need to re-do my TT search options!

Thank you, in advance all you kind folks!
35 REPLIES 35

busterbrown73
Explorer
Explorer
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Driving around with a hitch that you spent 10 to 15% of the cost of the trailer on is no way to go through life son.


I find it humorous when I hear comments like this. One will spend $30K, $40K, or even $50K on a coach and just slap a $300 hitch on it and call it good. Two major fail points in pulling a travel trailer are in the tires and in the hitch. Well, we know how the tire thing works out for everyone.

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
stevemorris wrote:
I agree with all of the above!!
basically, that's too much trailer for the jeep
also be careful with "ultralite" trailers, build quality is very "lite" you'll have floors that feel like a trampoline, I had one, hated the bouncy floor. had a hard time selling it because the floors were so "soft and bouncy"


You must have had a cheap ultra lite. Mine is very lite, and the floors are as solid as a rock. In truth the whole thing is solid. But then it is made from really strong lite weight composite material that won't rot.

All I'm saying is "many" lite weight TT are made very well. You have to be careful what you buy.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
UntetheredExplorer wrote:
Thanks, KerrlakeRoo-but I'm not sure I follow. If max Jeep payload is 1050 and person, TT hitch wt, sway bar (170+596+100 = 866), that leaves me with available tongue weight of 184? Is this right? Does not take into account Jeep cargo, front TT cargo, propane tanks or batteries...I am missing something?


Yes. Passenger weight is 170. Weight of the WD hitch is 100. Your proposed TT will probably run around 6000 or so when loaded for camping IF you pack really light. Tongue weight of 15% of that loaded weight, is 900 lb. That puts you at 1170 with NO cargo in the Jeep.

You need to look as a smaller TT.
2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

normal_dave
Explorer
Explorer
IntechRV Explore

Don't let the GVWR scare you this trailer overbuilt (also ORV below) re: cargo capacity
Nash 17K

Aluminum frame walls, and their dry weight includes factory installed accessories.
Outdoors RV Black Rock 18DB

Any of the above will be suitable to your described type of camping, and should be reasonable for your tow rig, if properly equipped.
1995 Ford E-150 Club Wagon Chateau Van
2012 Cargo Trailer Conversion Camper/Hauler

stevemorris
Explorer
Explorer
I agree with all of the above!!
basically, that's too much trailer for the jeep
also be careful with "ultralite" trailers, build quality is very "lite" you'll have floors that feel like a trampoline, I had one, hated the bouncy floor. had a hard time selling it because the floors were so "soft and bouncy"
2017 Ram 1500 4door, 4x4, 5.7 l hemi, 8 speed
2008 KZ Spree 260

Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Explorer II
Driving around with a hitch that you spent 10 to 15% of the cost of the trailer on is no way to go through life son.

Too many geezers, self appointed moderators, experts, and disappearing posts for me. Enjoy. How many times can the same thing be rehashed over and over?

Andy_F
Explorer
Explorer
UntetheredExplorer wrote:
Hey Donn0128
You bring up a good point. First, I will be a lite traveler-just me (no hubby, no kids, keep the packing lite too!). Jeep GVWR 6800-(me+ cargo)= 6300 est.

Second, TT GVWR is 7200 X 12% = 864. Jeep max payload is 1050.

So, am I good here?

Last, the bigger question and main concern is the tail wagging the dog. The total length (including tongue) is 29'. I was hoping with proper hitch distribution and anti-sway, this would be okay...? Way more than your recommendation <20'!!


I didn't have time to read all the posts so someone may have already made this recommendation: a high end hitch is necessary with an SUV or in my mind with most TV's. I suggest a ProPride 3P hitch. We have had ours since 2012 and we have towed to FL and to Yellowstone multiple times from MN with our old Sequoia and our newer 08 Sequoia with fantastic results.
Andy
2018 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 36LA
2012 Keystone Bullet 281BHS-Sold
2008 Toyota Sequoia-Sold
ProPride 3P - what a hitch!-Sold

Nights camped in 2017=42
Nights camped in 2018=32
Nights camper in 2019=30
Nights camped in 2020=17

busterbrown73
Explorer
Explorer
The advice previously given is general spot on. To be quite honest, you wont be happy pulling anything greater than 25 feet long. Mid sized SUVs have too many variables going against them to be adequate towing vehicles. First is payload capacity. With just over 1000 lbs of payload, you'll be way over this limit when it's time to go camping. Dont ever pay attention to dry tongue weight numbers. They're meaningless. Assume 15% of the trailers GVWR. Then add 100 lbs for a Weight distribution hitch. You'll be have used up 1090 lbs of any available payload that truck had from the factory. Even before you add LT tires, humans, pets, coolers. drinks, and refreshments, you'll be over already.

Next is axle and tire ratings. Go way over the payload specs and you'll be stressing your driveline, suspension components, brakes, and tires to the limits. God forbid something fails at highways speeds and you're no longer in control.

Next is wheelbase. something severely lacking from most midsized SUVs. With my Yukon XL Denali, I had nearly 1.5 feet more in wheelbase to tow my 35 foot TT. But that was even a challenge and I had to invest in a premium Hensley Arrow to eliminate the inherent and uncontrollable sway. Unfortunately, that new "expensive hitch" put me over on payload and I was out shopping for a new truck. You see how things inter-connect?

I now own a 2500 RAm megacab paired with the Hensley. I have substational margins in all towing specs for my TV. It's easy to drive, not remotely tiring, and I "let" the wife take the wheel for at least half the miles on our cross country trips. No way I'd ever do that with your prospective setup.

Not that you need a 1 ton dually to tow a 6600 lb trailer, but I think most experienced RVers will agree that its beneficial to step up into a properly equipped 1/2 ton platform.

Good luck and be safe.

camp-n-family
Explorer
Explorer
Be sure to add the weight of a full tank of gas to the projected cargo.


A vehicles' curb weight includes full fluids. There is no need to subtract the weight of fuel from payload.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley

FrankShore
Explorer
Explorer
Have you considered a Lance "superlights" (they use lite ply that weighs 50% less than common plywood.
2014 F-250
2014 Minnie Winnie 2351DKS (Traded In-Burnout-Use A Surge Protector!)
2015 Arctic Fox 22G (Great Trailer But Heavy - Traded In)
2018 Lance 1685 w/ Solar & 4 Seasons Package
1999 Beneteau 461 Oceanis Yacht
En Norski i en Fransk båt - Dette må jeg se!

UntetheredExplo
Explorer
Explorer
Thank you, everyone, for your insight. Looks like I will need to make different choices!

naturist
Nomad
Nomad
Be sure to add the weight of a full tank of gas to the projected cargo.

Also be aware that Jeep set the limits based on safety, which is not the same as towing satisfaction. That it can drag a load up the mountain without anything breaking and falling off is not the same as being able to do it fast enough you won’t fear for your life being rear-ended by big trucks. For that reason, you might want to aim for only 80% of the official limits, rather than the max.

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
UntetheredExplorer wrote:
Hello all wise ones out there! I plan to hit the road full-time next spring. I will drive a fair amount to explore much of this grand country I call home-including some mountain areas (Rv at the park and unhitch is an option) and boondocking on BLM.

I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4, Summit with tow package, V8, 5.7L. Max towing 7200lb, max payload 1050lb, GVWR 6800lb.

What is the max TT weight I can safely tow?

I have my eye on a Dutchman Kodiak 2500rbsl, ship wt 5400, hitch weight 596, cargo max wt 1185. If so, any recommendation on anti-sway bars and WDH? I will need to add trailer auto brake, right? What else?

I LOVE my Jeep and really do not want to sell for a truck. Hope this works but if not, what weight do I need to be under? I will need to re-do my TT search options!

Thank you, in advance all you kind folks!


Honestly. 5400lb dry is a little much for your Jeep. Were I you. I would look more at something in the 3500 to 4500lb dry (yellow sticker) range


Then up grade the tires to a beefier heavier tire. Honestly a Jeep should make a good TV. but you need to stay well with in it's limits.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

donn0128
Explorer II
Explorer II
Please understand, your Jeep probably has a pretty soft suspension. Coupled with P metric tires is the start of your problems. Add in the sail area of a trailer, think 230 SQFT of area that wind, passing cars and trucks will effect. It simply can make for a very dangerous situation. Especially for the inexperienced. Instead of guessing, load the Jeep like you would trqvel, including a full tank of gas and drive across a set of scales. Heck, here in Oregon DOT leaves the scales on even when there is no weigh master present. I have driven across the scwles numerous times for free. No guessing that way. SUVs tend to jot make good tow vehicles for a lot of reasons. Chief among them is suspension, tires, etc.

UntetheredExplo
Explorer
Explorer
Hey Donn0128
You bring up a good point. First, I will be a lite traveler-just me (no hubby, no kids, keep the packing lite too!). Jeep GVWR 6800-(me+ cargo)= 6300 est.

Second, TT GVWR is 7200 X 12% = 864. Jeep max payload is 1050.

So, am I good here?

Last, the bigger question and main concern is the tail wagging the dog. The total length (including tongue) is 29'. I was hoping with proper hitch distribution and anti-sway, this would be okay...? Way more than your recommendation <20'!!