GT5 31L5 2019/2020 - weights - toad Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

[RedBugNana]

We are shopping to move up to Class A from Class C. Size, comfort-level and cost have us looking seriously at the GT5 31L5. We have to be able to tow our Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, so available weight for towing is a concern. If I'm reading the information correctly, we'll have 5,500 lbs available for tow setup. Our Jeep with hitch/ebikes, Blue Ox setup is estimated at about 4,500 lbs. With the GVWR at 20500, there should be 2,500 lbs or so for cargo. Using our toad weights, it doesn't appear to me that we'd be able to tow the Jeep with any of the 22,000 GVWR units--we'd need to bump up to the 24,000 units (with increasing unit costs).

If I'm on the right track with my thinking, I have some questions.
(1) Would suspension improvements add significant weight to the totals?
(2) Are the weights for this setup normal--i.e., weights under the rated limits are acceptable?
(3) Non-mechanical engineer question--if all the F53 chassis have the same engine, how is the performance optimized for the larger-weighted (24,000) chassis?

[Iggy]

You have a 5,000 lb hitch and you are ok.
Load it up and go.

See video to explain a bit more.
https://youtu.be/DG6rMcOdics

[RedBugNana]

Thanks, Iggy--the video helped. So, see if my "new" understanding is correct--

Must have:
1. toad weight below or equal to tow hitch weight rating
2. loaded motorhome weight below or equal to GVWR
3. combined total weight of loaded motorhome + toad below or equal to GCWR

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by RedBugNana

Thanks, Iggy--the video helped. So, see if my "new" understanding is correct--

Must have:
1. toad weight below or equal to tow hitch weight rating
2. loaded motorhome weight below or equal to GVWR
3. combined total weight of loaded motorhome + toad below or equal to GCWR

The car door sticker should have the weight on it.
It is the one with the tire pressures.

You good to go.

[seasure1]

can I ask how you like your Jeep. We are shopping for a new or used toad and love the Trailhawk. However I have read a lot about the transmission issues.


Wondering how yours has been

Thanks

[cfo111]

1 difference in the F 53 is the tire size 1 has 19.5 rims I believe but mine have 22.5 inch rims which carry a bigger load.

[RedBugNana]

Originally Posted by seasure1

can I ask how you like your Jeep. We are shopping for a new or used toad and love the Trailhawk. However I have read a lot about the transmission issues.





Wondering how yours has been



Thanks

We love our Trailhawk. We bought her new in April...only 1350 miles on it so far. Once we struggled (and sweated) thru the setup for tow mode, we had a successful RV trip with our Jeep this summer. I’ve read about some issues with earlier years, but had only seen good reviews on the 2019. Of course, it is the model with the Active Drive II that enables 4-down towing. Please...no issues...we plan on keeping our Jeep for many years! My last car was a 2000 VW Beetle ,bought new and driven till recently sold.

[rotdoxdad]

We tow a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited with Active Drive 2 all 4 wheels on the ground. We tow it with a MBS FR Sunseeker and we love it, we have towed it about 6,000 miles since November. The weight is around 4,200 lbs. depending on what we put in the jeep. We use the Falcon 2 all terrain tow bar with Roadmaster Invisibrake controller. Have been to Florida and back and around the great lakes. We can be unhooked in a couple of minutes and be on the road, simple and convenient and we have 4 wheel drive for those Michigan winters. Thats why we bought the Jeep, with the intention of towing it, what's funny is when we bought the Jeep, we didn't have a motor home yet. Be Safe and Enjoy

[HaroldPE]

Here’s some real world data. We have 2017 GT5 R5.
GCWR is 26,000
GVWR is 20,500

Actual weight is 19,320, loaded with full water, full fuel, passengers, etc.

Jeep Wrangler 2dr at 4,360
Total weight 23,680, which is 2,320 under the GCWR

I run my tires at 82 psi cold.

Front axle actual weight 6,580 (7500 max)
Rear axle actual 12,730 (13,500 max)

[RedBugNana]

Originally Posted by HaroldPE

Here’s some real world data. We have 2017 GT5 R5.
GCWR is 26,000
GVWR is 20,500

Actual weight is 19,320, loaded with full water, full fuel, passengers, etc.

Jeep Wrangler 2dr at 4,360
Total weight 23,680, which is 2,320 under the GCWR

I run my tires at 82 psi cold.

Front axle actual weight 6,580 (7500 max)
Rear axle actual 12,730 (13,500 max)

Thank you—that info does help!

[RedBugNana]

Originally Posted by rotdoxdad

We tow a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited with Active Drive 2 all 4 wheels on the ground. We tow it with a MBS FR Sunseeker and we love it, we have towed it about 6,000 miles since November. The weight is around 4,200 lbs. depending on what we put in the jeep. We use the Falcon 2 all terrain tow bar with Roadmaster Invisibrake controller. Have been to Florida and back and around the great lakes. We can be unhooked in a couple of minutes and be on the road, simple and convenient and we have 4 wheel drive for those Michigan winters. Thats why we bought the Jeep, with the intention of towing it, what's funny is when we bought the Jeep, we didn't have a motor home yet. Be Safe and Enjoy

Sounds like you’ve had a great year of travels! Better mileage with your MBS I imagine.

[rotdoxdad]

Yes the mileage is better with the MBS, we got the best mileage going thru the hills on 77 heading to Charleston NC. from Michigan, we got as high as 16.5 mpg and we were not towing, but would average around 14. We also have a diesel generator so that affects the mileage also. The quality of diesel fuel and it being winter blend will affect the mileage.

Be Safe and

[RedBugNana]

Originally Posted by cfo111

1 difference in the F 53 is the tire size 1 has 19.5 rims I believe but mine have 22.5 inch rims which carry a bigger load.

If you have a Georgetown, can I ask which model? The larger chassis models offer some features that I’d love to have (bath and half), but we’re trying to stay near 35’ or less.

[RedBugNana]

Originally Posted by rotdoxdad

Yes the mileage is better with the MBS, we got the best mileage going thru the hills on 77 heading to Charleston NC. from Michigan, we got as high as 16.5 mpg and we were not towing, but would average around 14. We also have a diesel generator so that affects the mileage also. The quality of diesel fuel and it being winter blend will affect the mileage.



Be Safe and

When we bought our 2006 Class C all those years ago, we looked at the diesel Class C’s that were being offered—I think it might’ve been a newer concept back then. The gas mileage was tempting, but the space in the gas Class C we chose was more to my liking—especially since we were upsizing from a Rialta (really cool but also really compact RV).

[RedBugNana]

So much to learn!! Having to do some maneuvering of vehicles at home before we can level her and move out the slides...exploring what we can while she’s closed up. A carport area is in the works but that could take a while. Excited, for sure...also trying to be realistic about facing issues that could arise. So thankful for all the knowledge and experience shared on this forum.

We are Bob & Carol, known here as bigbluepop & redbugnana