Towing Struggles

heyjohn56 · 08-06-2019, 01:27 PM

Was towing an Rpod 178 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee V6. It was fine until the hills of PA. Read somewhere I shouldn't have been flooring it. It really struggled in the hills. Seems there are many who tow with Jeeps and do just fine. Anyone else have this issue? The Jeep has a tow package but no trailer mode or overdrive switch.

**bikendan** · 08-06-2019, 01:34 PM

How do you know it has the factory tow package? What's the rear end ratio and engine size?

Blackrock · 08-06-2019, 01:38 PM

On my 2015 Jeep Cherokee and can bump the shift lever to the left and then manually select whatever gear I want to be in whether uphilling or downhilling. Let's say I select 4th gear and set my foot at around 3200 rpm it will pull the grade fairly easily. Downhill same way, select the gear I want to stay in and just use the brake to keep from over revving.

heyjohn56 · 08-06-2019, 01:47 PM

My 2012 does not have a manual option. It has a 3.6L V6 with a 3.06:1 axle ratio. My mechanic verified the tow package. Many told me it would do the job easily.

heyjohn56 · 08-06-2019, 01:59 PM

There's more. Tried a trip with a 2013 Chevy Silverado. 5.7L V8 with Max tow package. Seemed to have plenty of power tho I stayed local with no hills. But the bouncing between the truck and the trailer was so bad I got car sick for the first time in 50 years. Bought the Rpod to save money, camper size, gas mileage, and more. Don't want to spend more. This camping thing is supposed to be relaxing, right?

**bikendan** · 08-06-2019, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjohn56

My 2012 does not have a manual option. It has a 3.6L V6 with a 3.06:1 axle ratio. My mechanic verified the tow package. Many told me it would do the job easily.

That 3.06 ratio is the killer, especially with v-6.

Chuck_S · 08-06-2019, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Read somewhere I shouldn't have been flooring it.

Huh?

Yeah the RPM is gonna climb to 4000 on those PA turnpike grades, that's how it gets up the hills. Horsepower is produced at higher rpms. Monitoring the engine and transmission temperatures will alert you to problems. There are scan gauges that plug into the OBD2 port and provide this info.

Not like these are real mountains, the grades aren't that long.

-- Chuck

upflying · 08-06-2019, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjohn56

My 2012 does not have a manual option. It has a 3.6L V6 with a 3.06:1 axle ratio. My mechanic verified the tow package. Many told me it would do the job easily.

Yea, the rear axle ratio doesn't sound like a tow package.
What did the mechanic do to verify the tow package?
Your original Monroney window sticker is a better way to verify what your Jeep has.

**bikendan** · 08-06-2019, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upflying

Yea, the rear axle ratio doesn't sound like a tow package.
What did the mechanic do to verify the tow package?
Your original Monroney window sticker is a better way to verify what your Jeep has.

That's what I was thinking. Wouldn't the Jeep factory tow package have a tow/haul feature?

joeuncool · 08-06-2019, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

That 3.06 ratio is the killer, especially with v-6.

This. Right here. Wow, Jeep going for the gas mileage.

heyjohn56 · 08-06-2019, 03:58 PM

Thanks for all the input. Trying not to be frustrated. This is supposed to be relaxing.
The dealer I bought it from wasn't even sure. Brought it to my mechanic who used to work for Jeep. Not sure about the 3.06 as I no longer have the paperwork. But there is no manual or overdrive option. Saw many online who tow with a Jeep, but pretty much gave it up. At one point in the 'hills' of PA I had it floored and was only doing 25 mph. Not just inefficient..... dangerous.
Tried the Silverado (5.7L Max tow PKG, 3.42 ratio) and have a new set of problems (bouncing, mpg, lack of comfort). Have been told I need a WDH, and/or air bags. Don't really want to spend more money. I was trying to save by buying a small travel trailer. Again, this is supposed to be relaxing.

GXPWeasel1 · 08-06-2019, 04:35 PM

A couple of things.
The Silverado hasn't had the 5.7L as an engine option in the half ton since 1998. The 1500 with max tow that year you're talking about, may have been the 6.0 or the 6.2 Litre.

As for the bouncing, you may have worn out rear shocks. Even when pulling my boat (4,000 lbs, maybe 300lbs tongue weight) with the soft Z71 shocks, I don't get bounce very often at all.

I had a 2001 Silverado with the Towing package, and a 3:23 gears, and it was terrible on pulling my pop up or my 28ft pontoon. Great when not towing, because I could get 20mpg though. The rear axle ration on the jeep is killing your power. The Chrysler 3.6 is pretty healthy for it's size, and SHOULD be able to tow decent, with the right axle ratio.

wannabeowner · 08-06-2019, 05:56 PM

You can get a build sheet for your Jeep at the following website:

https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

You just need to enter your VIN. If your Jeep actually has the tow package it will be listed. This works for Dodge vehicles, too.

The page looks a little blank, but it's legit. This is connected to MOPAR somehow.

A few years ago we were looking for a used Jeep online and we were able to check the build sheet for every Jeep we found on the internet to make sure it had the features we wanted. Pretty cool.

mcarter · 08-07-2019, 04:51 PM

More to this post. I have towed with Silverados for years, all 5.3s. No bouncing, no WDH, no air bags. However , well maintained and mechanically fit. I agree with fellow poster, bad shocks. Silverados are more than capable of pulling a Pod. The Jeep seems to have rear end issues and is not a capable tow vehicle for the hill requirement. 25MPH is not acceptable.

fifer1812 · 08-15-2019, 08:37 PM

So, my 2018 Honda Pilot AWD with a 4.33 is good?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

That 3.06 ratio is the killer, especially with v-6.

HONDAMAN174 · 08-15-2019, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fifer1812

So, my 2018 Honda Pilot AWD with a 4.33 is good?

If you’re pulling a r-pod yes. Borderline perfect in my opinion.

**bikendan** · 08-15-2019, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fifer1812

So, my 2018 Honda Pilot AWD with a 4.33 is good?

Please provide a link to that rear end ratio, in a Honda.

HONDAMAN174 · 08-16-2019, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Please provide a link to that rear end ratio, in a Honda.

[emoji848]

Specs are no longer in the brochures.

For giggles, I’ll make some calls.

And I realize that you are speaking of a rear end that gets energized to work. But there’s got to be a number between transfer case and rear gear.

fifer1812 · 08-16-2019, 09:23 AM

I found the info on the performance specs at this website.

https://www.thecarconnection.com/spe...18_touring-awd

fifer1812 · 08-16-2019, 10:09 AM

Here you go. It's under performance specs.

https://www.thecarconnection.com/spe...18_touring-awd

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