Towing Scenario, Insights/Feedback Wanted

[ChristFord]

New to towing, but here's the setup we're looking at. Does this look reasonable? Am I overlooking anything? (will have WDHitch, sway bars and such)

2014 Jeep GC 4WD EcoDiesel
(Specs: GVWR 6,800 / TR 7,200 / GCWR ~13,000)
Est. GVW 6,500
+Curb W: 5,300
+Payload: 600
+Tongue W: 600

FR Grey Wolf 19RR Toy Hauler (GVWR 7,575)
Est. GVW 6,000
+UVW: 4,300
+Est. Payload: 1,500
+200 lbs (for margin of error)

GCW = 12,500

[asquared]

You will be over on payload. If you take your numbers then you are looking at a 5800 lb loaded trailer weight (4300 dry plus 1500 lb cargo). Ideal tongue weight is 13-15% of loaded trailer weight. That would be 750-870 lb tongue weight. That is over your payload.

Payload is everything that you put on or in your truck. That includes passenger, gear, hitch, and tt tongue weight. Best thing you can do is go weigh your truck at a catscale. You want to weigh the front axle on scale pad 1 and rear axle on scale pad 2. Have your jeep loaded with all passengers, gear and pets that you usually take camping plus a full tank of fuel when you weigh it.

Take the gcwr and subtract your total scaled truck weight to get your adjusted towing capacity. Take the gvwr and subtract your total scaled truck weight to get your available payload. Take your rear gawr and subtract your rear axle weight to see how much weight you can put on your rear axle. Your loaded not dry trailer weight needs to weigh less than adjusted towing capacity. Your loaded loaded tongue weight needs to weigh less than available payload.

[GalsofEscape]

Your payload on the Jeep is only 600 lbs? That does not sound right.

If your Jeep's gvwr is 6800 lbs and the curb weight is 5300, then payload is around 1500 lbs not 600. I would still weigh it as mentioned above to get the real numbers.

[ChristFord]

We don't own either the Jeep or the TT yet, but we'll definitely be getting the Jeep for the fuel economy and extra towing capacity (over the gas models). Just trying to figure out what trailer we can safely manage with it.

I've read people say they've towed heavier things with this vehicle through mountains etc. with no problem at all, and then others say this setup is beyond impossible, so...idk.

Btw, went with this particular trailer b/c it's the lightest tandem axle toy hauler TT on the market (that I've found).

[GalsofEscape]

Have you considered the Durango? I think the new SRT has a tow rating of 8200 lbs and the D's have a longer wheel base than the Jeep.

I really like my 2011 Durango, it is rated for 7200 lbs towing and I have been very happy with my set up though have been trying to talk hubby into trading in his Challenger for the SRT D and still keep the current Durango.... He is not on board with that (wonder why&#129300LOL

[ChristFord]

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

Have you considered the Durango? I think the new SRT has a tow rating of 8200 lbs and the D's have a longer wheel base than the Jeep.

I really like my 2011 Durango, it is rated for 7200 lbs towing and I have been very happy with my set up though have been trying to talk hubby into trading in his Challenger for the SRT D and still keep the current Durango.... He is not on board with that (wonder why&#129300LOL

What do you tow with it?! That's the same tow rating of the Jeep I'm looking at, but from the feedback I've gotten on this and other forums, towing anything with a Dry Weight of more than 3,000 lbs would be too much.

[GalsofEscape]

I have the 5.7 liter hemi Durango. It was the first year for the redesign.
I am towing a loaded weight 6200 lb 25 foot long hybrid trailer, the shamrock 23ws. I have a hitch limit of 720 lbs, and my trailers tongue weight is 620lbs. I use the 4 point equalizer weight distribution hitch. Have had this set up for two seasons and love it, but the gas mileage does suck, each hour of towing is a quarter tank of gas sucked down. Just finished a three week trip from Maryland to the grand canyon through the Rockies and it handled extremely well.

[jgroff]

As info. My brother has a 2015 srt Jeep gc. He tows a rock wood roo 21ss with it And Has no Issues at all. He packs light so i think he is around 5500 lbs loaded. Have a look at that trailer and we how it compares to what you are looking at.

[GalsofEscape]

Originally Posted by ChristFord

What do you tow with it?! That's the same tow rating of the Jeep I'm looking at, but from the feedback I've gotten on this and other forums, towing anything with a Dry Weight of more than 3,000 lbs would be too much.

Btw, I don't look at dry weight, I want to be sure the vehicle could tow the camper if loaded to the max.

then I look at how much cargo I can actually put in the camper (though it appears we are light packers, only put 400 actual lbs in the camper) and on equal par of cargo capacity, look at tongue weight and how much cargo capacity I have left in the tow vehicle.

That tongue weight will be an estimate as you won't know actual until you weigh it with the propane tanks filled, battery in and your stuff in the camper. How you load stuff in the camper will effect tongue weight.

[ChristFord]

What about with this trailer (same vehicle), though still a little close on Payload…

FR Wildwood X-Lite Toy Hauler (GVWR ~5,500)
Est. GVW 4,600
+UVW: 3,100
+Est. Payload: 1,500

2014 Jeep GC 4WD EcoDiesel
(Specs: GVWR 6,800 / TR 7,200 / Max Payload 1,270 / GCWR ~13,000)
Est. GVW 6,500
+Curb W: 5,300
+Payload: 1,200
(Psgrs 600 + 13%TW 600)

GCW = 11,100

[asquared]

Originally Posted by ChristFord

What about with this trailer (same vehicle), though still a little close on Payload…

FR Wildwood X-Lite Toy Hauler (GVWR ~5,500)
Est. GVW 4,600
+UVW: 3,100
+Est. Payload: 1,500

2014 Jeep GC 4WD EcoDiesel
(Specs: GVWR 6,800 / TR 7,200 / Max Payload 1,270 / GCWR ~13,000)
Est. GVW 6,500
+Curb W: 5,300
+Payload: 1,200
(Psgrs 600 + 13%TW 600)

GCW = 11,100

The key here is make sure you check the actual door sticker on any vehicle you buy as any options on a vehicle can affect that number positively or negatively. ie fully loaded will add weight and decrease payload vs stripped down model will have higher payload. I personally would not want to haul a toy hauler with a short wheelbase vehicle. I have towed a 7000 lb loaded weight trailer with an armada and had ugly ugly handling that went away with purchase of a longer wheelbase. To be fair I was under towing capacity but over on payload. I do understand your desire for the ecodiesel though. Good luck

[Oaklevel]

What toys do you plan on hauling........ any ?? 1500 lbs may be underestimating for your toys and gear.............

Ignore dry weight as the trailer will be that light only once coming from the factory.......... propane, dealer added options your toys and gear add weight fast.... If you are going by the advertised dry weight the actual dry weight on the yellow sticker on the trailer will probably be more if options were added at the factory.
.

Also Toyhaulers are know to have heavy tongue weights.... Also as asquared said check the sticker on the jeep you are buying for actual weight capacity.

Good Luck !!!!

[ChristFord]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

What toys do you plan on hauling........ any ?? 1500 lbs may be underestimating for your toys and gear.............

Ignore dry weight as the trailer will be that light only once coming from the factory.......... propane, dealer added options your toys and gear add weight fast.... If you are going by the advertised dry weight the actual dry weight on the yellow sticker on the trailer will probably be more if options were added at the factory.
.

Also Toyhaulers are know to have heavy tongue weights.... Also as asquared said check the sticker on the jeep you are buying for actual weight capacity.

Good Luck !!!!

The trailer payload estimate includes ~500 lb ATV, spare tire, full water & propane tanks, small generator & fuel, clothes/food (we pack light).

Also, the UVW is from a sticker that a dealer sent a picture of for me.

[lbrjet]

Sounds like a good combo to me, but I would recommend a hitch with integrated sway control, not just a WDH and sway bar.