Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-01-2018, 06:38 PM   #1
Member
 
tmlogo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 82
New Tow SUV Help Please... Jeep Maybe?

We are currently towing our 2018 2104S with a 2008 Mercedes ML350. Everything has been great, but now the car has a very serious engine problem and is basically going to become worthless.

We are looking at Jeep Grand Cherokees and are concerned that a v6 is not great enough. Do we need a v8 and is 5.7 enough or do we need 6.4?

We are open to other SUV brands also. Hubby wants V8 so we have more power and possibly if we want to get a bigger trailer someday.

Any help or advice is appreciated.
tmlogo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 06:41 PM   #2
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
I vote for an Expedition with the Ecoboost.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 06:51 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,179
Jeeps sadly have pretty bad reliability record. You might look at a GM Tahoe, Ford Explorer or similar sized SUV.
donniedu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:01 PM   #4
Site Team
 
RedLdr1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 2,910
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
I vote for an Expedition with the Ecoboost.
+1 On the Expedition. The 2018 Expedition maxes out at a 9,300 pound tow rating so you have room to up size your trailer later.

The Explorer is only rated for 5,000 pounds so it would be over it's rated max capacity towing a 2104S.
__________________
Wayne
2024 Sunseeker 2150SLEF / Ford E-350 chassis on order.
2024 Coachmen Northern Spirit 1943RB
RedLdr1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:43 PM   #5
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedLdr1 View Post
+1 On the Expedition. The 2018 Expedition maxes out at a 9,300 pound tow rating so you have room to up size your trailer later.

The Explorer is only rated for 5,000 pounds so it would be over it's rated max capacity towing a 2104S.
Yep, unless it's an older v-8 Explorer, the newer ones only have 5000lbs tow rating/500lbs hitch rating.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:47 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
First issue with the Jeep is you are going to run out of frontal area
Jmkjr72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:50 PM   #7
Scoundrel
 
HangDiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,788
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
I vote for an Expedition with the Ecoboost.
If you're for sure wanting an SUV, what he said....
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension

Wooden Spoon Survivor
HangDiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:51 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
DieselDrax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
New Tow SUV Help Please... Jeep Maybe?

Check out the newer Durangos with the HEMI. Up to 7,400/7,200 pound tow rating depending on 2wd/4wd. The HEMI is a solid engine and the ZF 8-speed automatic is a great trans.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
DieselDrax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:53 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
dbledan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: KS
Posts: 2,369
Well their site is not exactly straight forward but I will give it a shot. It looks like a grand Cherokee with a v6 has to be Limited, Sterling, or Trailhawk trim levels. For that trailer you will need the trailer tow package as well which will get you to 7200lbs towing. This package appears to require 4x4 as well.

I am just guessing based on a loaded trailer here and a tongue weight of 12% so around 650lbs. It's going to be very close and maybe hard to find.

The big issue will be payload weight for you. The smaller engine actually hurts a bit because they appear to beef up the frame on the 4x4s.

If you stick with the v6 3.6l I would eliminate the trailhawk because it only allows for 1130lbs payload your trailer loaded and 470lbs (your weight x2, DW=0, gas 158lbs, wdh lbs100, and gear? in car) so I hope you only weigh 140lbs or less with your gear if you go this route.

The 4x4 limited and sterling's have 1380lbs of payload so figure 730lbs after the trailer. This way you get to eat more and weigh 360lbs (DW is still a feather) with your gear.

For some reason jeep reversed conventional wisdom and has higher payload with 4x4 so I assume they beef up the frame because otherwise it just subtracts from it.

If you get the hemi you can get the 6.4 or the 5.7 you can really only get there with the tow package on either and it adds no additional tow capacity or payload so it seems unnecessary unless you really just want it for every day driving.

It will be close with any of them and a fully loaded trailer. I would also get a brake controller of course.

If you know your tongue weight of the trailer loaded it would help to know If you would be over on the rear axle.

That leaves you with a limited with the 3.6l v6 a Sterling with a v6 3.6l, a Hemi options of an SRT or Trackhawk (not a trailhawk). You will need to check the door jam sticker for a payload of about 1200lbs or you should walk away from it because you will max it out with your trailer. Higher trim levels means less payload as well so fewer options is better.

Best of luck and hope it works out!
dbledan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 07:57 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
dbledan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: KS
Posts: 2,369
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmkjr72 View Post
First issue with the Jeep is you are going to run out of frontal area
Oh yea forgot about this...You will need a new TV if you want a bigger trailer as well.
dbledan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 08:35 PM   #11
Site Team
 
Flybob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
Don't think you are going to be happy with that Jeep. What ever vehicle you choose especially in the class you are looking, be sure to get a factory installed trailer package with an aux transmission cooler. As mentioned the hitch weight will be around 600 lbs which may eliminate some choices.
__________________

2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
Flybob is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 08:47 PM   #12
Member
 
tmlogo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 82
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmkjr72 View Post
First issue with the Jeep is you are going to run out of frontal area
Don't mean to sound stupid, but what does this mean?

I appreciate everyone's advice. This is so stressful. What I've gathered is the V6 with the tow package is what is needed to get to 7200 tow weight if we stick with Jeep.
tmlogo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 08:58 PM   #13
Scoundrel
 
HangDiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,788
Frontal Area refers to the TT exposer to wind resistance as your towing foward. When towing the frontal area of your TT becomes a consideration when trying to advance forward against a headwind. If you're considering a Jeep Cherokee, check the Towing Guide for that specific "towing frontal area" vehicle that you're considering.
Edit: The larger the frontal area, the more load there is on the engine/transmission pulling against the frontal "drag" of the trailer.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension

Wooden Spoon Survivor
HangDiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 09:07 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
GalsofEscape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Catonsville Maryland
Posts: 1,963
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmlogo View Post
Don't mean to sound stupid, but what does this mean?

I appreciate everyone's advice. This is so stressful. What I've gathered is the V6 with the tow package is what is needed to get to 7200 tow weight if we stick with Jeep.
No, according to the jeep web site - you need the V8 to get the 7200 lb tow cap with the GC
https://www.jeep.com/jeep-capabilities/towing.html
__________________
HTT: "EscapeII" 2016 Shamrock 23WS (current)
PUP: "Escape" 2010 Rockwood HW 277 (gone)
TV: "Gill" 2022 RAM 2500
Just us gals (me, Sis and our daughters)
We spend alot of money to go sit in the woods
GalsofEscape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 10:05 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
Looks like you can get max tow with a 6 but you have less frontal area the my nitro with the same engine. And let me tell you my nitro dogs it with a v nose enclosed trailer empty with about 50 sq feet frontal area. Granted I only have the older 4 speed but the extra gears aren’t going to make that’s much of a difference when the Jeep is rated for less San feet then the 64 the nitro is rated for.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	00A10D11-A975-4CE3-B938-299779872767.jpg
Views:	90
Size:	374.7 KB
ID:	163870   Click image for larger version

Name:	7338A7BD-6C8C-4280-AA95-4472667C01AF.jpg
Views:	79
Size:	364.5 KB
ID:	163871   Click image for larger version

Name:	8CBC5841-B56E-494A-9C32-BB05882A7E30.jpg
Views:	84
Size:	180.1 KB
ID:	163872  
Jmkjr72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 10:13 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
dbledan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: KS
Posts: 2,369
Quote:
Originally Posted by GalsofEscape View Post
No, according to the jeep web site - you need the V8 to get the 7200 lb tow cap with the GC
https://www.jeep.com/jeep-capabilities/towing.html
Keep scrolling...to the right. It gets there but difficult to find. Their site is bad. Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot_20180301-210856.jpg
Views:	80
Size:	45.8 KB
ID:	163873

After doing the numbers it is debatable but the frontal area would be a challenge I didn't figure for. I would go bigger on the TV. If you want to upgrade later you will want something larger with more capacity.
dbledan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 10:23 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
So your tt is 8 feet wide it lists the height as 11 feet. Unless you have a measurement of ground to frame and the height of the ac over the roof equal to 4.25 feet you are over the 55 sq feet. Before you even get to looking at the cargo capacity of the jeep
Jmkjr72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 10:41 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 248
I am surprised to be the first to say that I think the Jeep is too small, but I think the ml350 is too small as well. With the weight I would want a full size suv. The exhibition is awesome but Tahoe would be solid choice as well.
__________________
2017 Sierra 372LOK
2017 Ford F350 DRW
brian372lok is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 10:47 PM   #19
Scoundrel
 
HangDiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,788
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmlogo View Post
We are looking at Jeep Grand Cherokees and are concerned that a v6 is not great enough. Do we need a v8 and is 5.7 enough or do we need 6.4? We are open to other SUV brands also. Hubby wants V8 so we have more power and possibly if we want to get a bigger trailer someday.

Any help or advice is appreciated.
One other point to consider.... I use to tow with an SUV. But after endless attempts to keep it clean from loading everything in it, I bought a crew cab (4 door) pick-up truck. Putting all the cargo in the back of the pick up and using the crew cab for passenger space has made a world of difference in keeping the passenger compartment cleaner. And typically, the payload capacity of a pick-up is higher than you'll find on an SUV.

Just food for thought....
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension

Wooden Spoon Survivor
HangDiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 11:19 PM   #20
Lets go camping!
 
str8t six's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: VA
Posts: 259
the longer the wheelbase, the better for towing.
__________________
2014 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504s
2016 Ram 3500
str8t six is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:13 AM.