Feedback on potential Tow Setup for Newbie

[climbbike]

Hi,

New to towing anything bigger than a small utility trailer.

I'm thinking about going with the following setup and am looking for any feedback you more experienced folks might have.

TV:
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
470 HP, 465 lb-ft torque
7200 lbs tow rating
weight: 5150lbs, GVWR 6500

Trailer we are considering:
Surveyor Travel Trailer by Forest River

2014/2015 Surveyor Cadet SC-226RBDS


Dry Hitch Weight492 lbs. (223 kg) Unloaded Vehicle Weight4,880 lbs. (2,214 kg) GVWRTBA (TBA) Cargo Carrying Capacity2,612 lbs. (1,185 kg) Exterior Length25' 5" (7.7 m) Exterior Height11' 0" (3.4 m) Exterior Width96" (2.4 m) Fresh Water Capacity46 gal. (174 L) Gray Water Capacity40 gal. (151 L) Black Water Capacity30 gal. (114 L)


I realize there are some people on here who believe it's against the very laws of nature to tow anything at all with an SUV so really not looking to start an endless debate about that. Just specific concerns or feedback please.

thanks!

[billt01]

HP and TQlbs definitely will not be the issue....

The only concern that people may give would be the wheel base of your vehicle as it pertains to the length of the TT.

the new Jeeps have that much HP and TQlbs..

[climbbike]

Originally Posted by billt01

HP and TQlbs definitely will not be the issue....

The only concern that people may give would be the wheel base of your vehicle as it pertains to the length of the TT.

the new Jeeps have that much HP and TQlbs..

It's an SRT model

[ryand]

Well you will certainly be within the tow numbers empty and likely loaded. Pay close attention to the payload numbers....those are the numbers that get most SUV/half tons. You are at 500# before any propane, batteries, water and so on.

looks like you will be good to go, its just good to know your where you stand.

[climbbike]

Originally Posted by ryand

Well you will certainly be within the tow numbers empty and likely loaded. Pay close attention to the payload numbers....those are the numbers that get most SUV/half tons. You are at 500# before any propane, batteries, water and so on.

looks like you will be good to go, its just good to know your where you stand.

You are talking about the gross weight of the TV?

[Lynkage]

It does look like at full capacity for the TT would put you over but only by about 3-400lbs.

I would think as with anyone you just need to be aware of your limits and keep in mind the crazy drivers out there who really could care less about others on the road.

Get a good WDH and set it up properly by yourself not the dealer!!

Then you will always know if it is right or not!!

[chicagoslick]

Your tongue weight will need to be watched as it did not take into consideration tanks, WDH, towing gear or camping equipment. Like some else already said, get a good WDH and set it correctly. Mirrors / seeing behind you, will probably be another concern. I tow with an SUV and it does fine. If you have truck tires that will be a plus, as well as heavy duty towing package if equiped. Best of luck...

[climbbike]

I just ordered this hitch. It sounded pretty good after doing some reserch: Reese SC Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66151

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by climbbike

TV:
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
470 HP, 465 lb-ft torque
7200 lbs tow rating
weight: 5150lbs, GVWR 6500

For your TV, what does this sticker say as your maximum loading capacity?

[url=https://flic.kr/p/e1a7mo]

You can best guess your tongue weight by using this tool:
http://www.towingplanner.com/Estimat...80&lw=6380&a=2

By that, it looks like you're be in the high 700s.

You can then use the results from that and follow through with this calculator to see if you'll be under/over your ratings:
Towing Calculator based on Truck's Payload/CCC - Towing Planner

If you're going to be over, only you can decide if you're willing to be over (and by how much).

[climbbike]

Thanks for the links.

I'm calculating I'll be 242 lbs under the Jeep's GVWR and 1680 under the tow rating.

Do you typically run with water in the fresh water tank? Or only if you know you'll be dry camping??

thanks again for all the responses . . .

[ependydad]

Many people have many opinions on that- for me, I always have 1/2-full tank. I've been caught at campgrounds without water (when it was expected to be available) a few times now. Most recently, we did NOT have water in our tank and it was an annoyance.

[climbbike]

That's kind of what I was thinking too. 1/2 tank would be 150-180lbs.

[DDC]

Your wheel base is about the same as mine, my trailer is 30ft but I would not have went with that short a wheel base without using either a Pro-Pride 3 or as I have a Hensley so the trailer does nor shake the TV off, the usual WDH do not totally eliminate sway and with such a short WB you don't want ANY. I don't see any problem with the weights though.

[acadianbob]

Reese SC is a good system that actively inhibits sway and even corrects it to some degree. Just watch your overall tongue weight and family/stuff in the SUV versus your payload capacity.

[thebrakeman]

typical conservative 1000lbs over dry weight puts you around 5800 lbs loaded (vs 7200 lb MAX rating.
Yes, being near 500lb TW dry is usually a concern for an SUV. But I also notice that the bathroom and fridge are at the very rear of the camper. Also, the pantry is at or behind the axles. I guessing the holding tanks are at or behind the axles as well. I suspect all of this rear weight will do a good job counteractive the weight of battery, propane, and whatever you put in your bedroom closets and the forward passthru storage.

5800 * 12% = 696lbs. Find out what the max TW rating is, with WDH. It's probably limited to 720 lbs (10% of 7200).

[EricInColorado]

I'd tow with that. As long as I had a good WD and sway control setup.

Do those SRT models have good tires for towing?

[prof_fate]

What is your jeeps GCWR? The tow rating includes the payload, so you can't have 1500lbs PLUS 7200. Checking your GCWR will be how you confirm this.

I run with 5-10 gal or so fresh - you can use the bathroom, wash hands, geta drink, etc as needed, if needed.

Double check your manual - since you have a sport model you may have very different tow ratings than the 'standard' model. I have a silverado as does my neighbor..both 4dr short bet 1500s. He got the 'sport' model and has 20" tires/rims and different payload/GCWR/tow rating than I do.
My expedition I had was the same way - the 17" option rims took 500lbs off the tow rating. Only place to find this was IN the manual.

Originally Posted by climbbike

Thanks for the links.

I'm calculating I'll be 242 lbs under the Jeep's GVWR and 1680 under the tow rating.

Do you typically run with water in the fresh water tank? Or only if you know you'll be dry camping??

thanks again for all the responses . . .

[climbbike]

Originally Posted by EricInColorado

I'd tow with that. As long as I had a good WD and sway control setup.

Do those SRT models have good tires for towing?

What makes a tire a "good" tire for towing?

[climbbike]

Thanks everyone for your responses. We are picking up the trailer later today. I've ran all the #'s and talked a to a couple people that also tow with a Grand Cherokee so I'm feeling pretty comfortable with the setup. It's also only my wife and I in the Jeep so we are well under GVWR as well.

[climbbike]

Here are all the numbers with the weights including what I'm considering our worst case scenario based on what I think we'll carry.

Jeep weight: 5150
Jeep GVWR: 6500
Stuff and people in Jeep: 500lbs (max)
Tongue weight: 588
Jeep capacity left: 262

Trailer weight dry: 4880
Trailer tongue weight (dry): 491
Stuff in trailer: 1000 (max)
total trailer weight: 5880
Tow rating for my Jeep: 7200lbs, with 720lb tongue weight