Jeep Grand Cherokee w/hemi towing Rockwood 2604

alerra · 09-01-2012, 08:21 AM

Hello everyone,

I thought I had it all figured out but just before I took the plunge I realize I have some more work to do. I am in the market for a new TT and TV. The TT we like best is the Rockwood 2604 and the TV is a Jeep Grand Cherokee equipped with a 360hp hemi and Class IV tow package.

I thought everything was fine because the TT has a gross weight of 6600# and the hemi TV is rated to tow 7500#. Now I hear that wheelbase is also a factor in this equation. The GC wheelbase is 114.8" and is rated to tow trailers up to 30'. Since the 2604 is just under 30', am I cutting it too close here?

Thanks for your advice.
Andrew

lindy · 09-01-2012, 08:45 AM

Should not be an issue, I tow a 2604 with my 08 Dakota and it's towing cap is 7000, and the wheel base is about the same, I use the EQUILIZER weight distribution hitch and it tows great.

MtnGuy · 09-01-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alerra

The TT we like best is the Rockwood 2604 and the TV is a Jeep Grand Cherokee equipped with a 360hp hemi and Class IV tow package.

I thought everything was fine because the TT has a gross weight of 6600# and the hemi TV is rated to tow 7500#.

You need to be concerned with the GVWR of the Jeep. Hanging ~800 lbs on the back of the Jeep is going to severely affect the cargo carrying capacity. The GVWR of the Jeep should be posted on the driver's door. Take your Jeep to the local quarry, landfill, truck depo or somewhere to get see what it actually weighs. Then add up your passengers, expected camping gear and luggage, and then add about 800 lbs. for the tongue, and make sure that is under the listed GVWR rating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alerra

Now I hear that wheelbase is also a factor in this equation. Since the 2604 is just under 30', am I cutting it too close here?

TV wheelbase vs. the overall length of a trailer is important.....you don't want the "tail wagging the dog" type of situation......where the trailer is pushing around the tow vehicle. Even though there are no firm rules or regulations on that type of thing, it is generally recognized that a longer wheelbased vehicle is better for pulling a conventional bumper pull trailer. An old equation takes the overall length of the trailer in feet times 5, and that should be the minimum wheelbase of the tow vehicle in inches. That is not written in stone anywhere and no way does it have to be strictly adhered to, but should give people a general idea of tow vehicle wheelbase vs. total trailer length. Regardless, a WDH with integrated sway control should be used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alerra

The GC wheelbase is 114.8" and is rated to tow trailers up to 30'.

Where did the 30' figure come from ??

MtnGuy · 09-01-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy

Should not be an issue, I tow a 2604 with my 08 Dakota and it's towing cap is 7000, and the wheel base is about the same, I use the EQUILIZER weight distribution hitch and it tows great.

There is a bit of a difference between 114" and 131".

alerra · 09-01-2012, 09:25 AM

The 30' rating comes from Jeep. Here is the link: 2012 Grand Cherokee | Towing Capability Capacity | Jeep

I am trying to get the best vehicle that will serve our purposes for both towing the TT and general use. If the GC would serve both purposes, that would be best. Otherwise, I may have to consider a larger SUV such as a Ford Expedition.

MtnGuy · 09-01-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alerra

The 30' rating comes from Jeep. Here is the link: 2012 Grand Cherokee | Towing Capability Capacity | Jeep

Interesting. Make sure you indeed got the heavy duty hitch....there should be a sticker on the hitch with the weight ratings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alerra

I am trying to get the best vehicle that will serve our purposes for both towing the TT and general use. If the GC would serve both purposes, that would be best. Otherwise, I may have to consider a larger SUV such as a Ford Expedition.

I understand. But even with other SUVs, you still have to be aware of the payload limits. Because many SUVs weigh so much, the GVWR can easily be exceeded by hanging a trailer tongue on the hitch.

Case in point: Even with my F150, I am within 100 lbs. of the GVWR on my truck, with just the missus and dog as passengers, and some camping gear in back. My SV 263 has a listed tongue weight less than the 2604.

You mentioned the Expy....but the regular model does not increase the wheelbase that much over your Jeep. The regular Expy lists a 119" wheelbase. The XL lists a 131" wheelbase.

WestCoastRV'er · 09-01-2012, 09:59 AM

I would highly recommend getting the ProPride. It made a world of difference for me.

**bikendan** · 09-01-2012, 12:09 PM

it would be helpful if you posted what year it is and what rear end ratio it has.

alerra · 09-01-2012, 12:22 PM

Thanks to you all.

2012 Jeep GC Overland with 3.45 rear axle ratio.

alerra · 09-01-2012, 12:27 PM

WestCoastRVer,
You're the guy I need to speak with. Although you have the diesel, your 2008 is the same size wheelbase as mine and your TT is approximately the same size and weight. No one seems to doubt the GC Hemi's ability to pull the load. The concerns are more with the relatively short wheelbase's ability to provide stability on the highway. What is your experience in this regard?

Twisty · 09-01-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastRV'er

I would highly recommend getting the ProPride. It made a world of difference for me.

That is a very heavy hitch and must be accounted for in the GCWR, tongue weight and pay load.
I bought a ProPride and then sold it. I didn't want that huge mass of steel hanging out there.

dezolen · 09-01-2012, 02:16 PM

Wow all this wheelbase stuff. Look at a 18 wheeler and the wheeelbase of the truck.
Proper hitch and setup makes all the difference.

MtnGuy · 09-01-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

Wow all this wheelbase stuff. Look at a 18 wheeler and the wheeelbase of the truck.

OK, let's look at a road tractor:

A typical conventional tractor with medium sized sleeper compartment has a wheelbase around 230". Pulling a maximum 53' single trailer, the wheelbase of the tractor is 36% of the length of the trailer.

This thread is referring to pulling a 30' bumper pull trailer (not a 5th wheel setup) with a 114" wheelbased vehicle. The tow vehicle wheelbase compared to the overall length of the trailer is 32%.

But that is not the only difference. A road tractor is made from the ground up to pull a trailer. But to me, the big difference is the hitch point is directly over the drive wheels on a road tractor......not sitting 2' or more behind the drive wheels on a passenger vehicle where it is much more likely to cause problems.

kz08h5 · 09-01-2012, 06:50 PM

alerra,

I used to tow my 26 ft V-Lite with a Jeep Commander. The Commander has the same drive train and chassis as the Grand Cherokee. Mine was a 4.7l. I didn't have too much problem from a power standpoint. The Rockies were a bit of a challenge but not bad. The issue you will have is the wheelbase length vs trailer length. Even with only 26 ft I had bi problems with winds and semis. I had to be on my toes at all times checking for semis that were overtaking me. Cross winds were also a big problem. I now tow with a crew cab pickup with 141 inch wheelbase. The difference is night and day. I used to have fried nerves when I would stop for the night. Now I don't even feel like I have been towing. I would highly suggest a tow vehicle with a longer wheel base.

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