2016 Shamrock 17 pull w/2016 Jeep Cherokee w/tow pkg

[paulbabs]

new to hybrids, stepping up from tent camping. We have a 2016 Jeep Cherokee with 3.2 v6 with towing package. Gross towing weight for Jeep is 4500 lbs. Is anyone out there pulling a Shamrock 17 with this vehicle? Since we are new to this type of camping and reading so much data on gross weights, just want to make sure that the 17 is not too much for the Jeep?? Thanks in advance for any replies.

[rsdata]

I don't pull with a Jeep... I pull a 183 (similar to 17)

but below find the numbers in hopefully an understandable format.

published base weight of Shamrock 17 = 3150#
add propane and battery = 3250#
add 200# of goodies inside = 3450# gross trailer weight
published Jeep Cherokee max towing = 4500# weight or about 1000# less than max capacity

published 17 tongue weight = 346 or 11% of base weight of 3150#
tongue weight at 3450# = 380# @ 11% or 414# @ 12% (call it 400#)

Jeep Cherokee payload = ??? cannot find a rating published online
Grand Cherokee is listed at 1396# to 1955# payload

Payload we know of (estimated) is tongue weight (400#) + two adults @ 180# (360#) + WDHitch (75#) + loaded gear in Jeep (200#) = 1035#
so your payload is about 350# to 900# less than capacity

Just by doing the numbers, it appears that you are good to go... even figuring 80% of published vehicle specs, which some on this forum consider to be needed as a safety margin, you seem to be good to go.... just watch your loading extra pounds in trailer and vehicle.

Get a CAT scale weigh of trailer before running anywhere and do some research to verify these capacity numbers.

hope this helps some

[bikendan]

Post what the payload capacity is for your Jeep.
It listed on the driver's door yellow sticker.

[jaymemiller]

Your jeep manual should have a complete section on towing. You'll probably need a brake contoller also. Also may want to buy a weight distribution hitch, it ain't gonna hurt anything to have one. Harbor frieght has one that works just fine. Because even if you are 1000#s below capacty, it's gonna sag.

[paulbabs]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Post what the payload capacity is for your Jeep.
It listed on the driver's door yellow sticker.

The combined weight should not exceed 1000#

[paulbabs]

Originally Posted by jaymemiller

Your jeep manual should have a complete section on towing. You'll probably need a brake contoller also. Also may want to buy a weight distribution hitch, it ain't gonna hurt anything to have one. Harbor frieght has one that works just fine. Because even if you are 1000#s below capacty, it's gonna sag.

Yes i will get a brake contoller and dealer suggested the weight distribution hitch, thanks

[paulbabs]

Originally Posted by rsdata

I don't pull with a Jeep... I pull a 183 (similar to 17)

but below find the numbers in hopefully an understandable format.

published base weight of Shamrock 17 = 3150#
add propane and battery = 3250#
add 200# of goodies inside = 3450# gross trailer weight
published Jeep Cherokee max towing = 4500# weight or about 1000# less than max capacity

published 17 tongue weight = 346 or 11% of base weight of 3150#
tongue weight at 3450# = 380# @ 11% or 414# @ 12% (call it 400#)

Jeep Cherokee payload = ??? cannot find a rating published online
Grand Cherokee is listed at 1396# to 1955# payload

Payload we know of (estimated) is tongue weight (400#) + two adults @ 180# (360#) + WDHitch (75#) + loaded gear in Jeep (200#) = 1035#
so your payload is about 350# to 900# less than capacity

Just by doing the numbers, it appears that you are good to go... even figuring 80% of published vehicle specs, which some on this forum consider to be needed as a safety margin, you seem to be good to go.... just watch your loading extra pounds in trailer and vehicle.

Get a CAT scale weigh of trailer before running anywhere and do some research to verify these capacity numbers.

hope this helps some

Thanks, for the detailed explanation! Just what we were looking for.

[rocknroos]

I have a Lincoln MKT (Ford Flex) which is a V6 Ecoboost, and it also id rated for 4500#. I had a Roo 17 and had absolutely no trouble towing it. I did not use a WDH with the 17 and never had any issues. I suspect that your Jeep probably has stiffer rear springs that the Lincoln has, which should make it better, so it is up to you about a WDH. I have since traded in the Roo 17 for a Roo 19 and my TV is still the Lincoln. I just did a 6200 mile trip out west and the MKT did fine. The Roo 19 is about 800# heavier that the 17. I did add an Andersen WDH when I got the 19. It is a great hitch and I can give my endorsement unreserved.

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by paulbabs

The combined weight should not exceed 1000#

Based on that capacity, you will likely be over the payload limit with that trailer.

[rocknroos]

You are correct if I loaded the HTT to the limit, but before I went west I loaded the TT and the HTT for the trip and took it to a scale, HTT weighed in at 4300# and I was 300# below by GCWR for the Lincoln. It was close but still under the limits and I did not have any issues. I had to take it easy towing up 7% and 8% grades, but it did fine. I was just trying to give paulbabs a little feedback and maybe some reassurance about towing a Shamrock 17 with his Jeep.

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by rocknroos

You are correct if I loaded the HTT to the limit, but before I went west I loaded the TT and the HTT for the trip and took it to a scale, HTT weighed in at 4300# and I was 300# below by GCWR for the Lincoln. It was close but still under the limits and I did not have any issues. I had to take it easy towing up 7% and 8% grades, but it did fine. I was just trying to give paulbabs a little feedback and maybe some reassurance about towing a Shamrock 17 with his Jeep.

I was replying to the OP.

[rocknroos]

I kinda realized that after I posted.

[paulbabs]

Thanks much! First time purchaser and there's a lot of scary information out there. This response really makes me more comfortable.

[paulbabs]

i agree, if i fully load the Jeep to the max of 1000#, is that what you are saying? i do not plan on loading the Jeep to the max. Thanks in advance!

[Rodski]

I tow a 21DK with a 2013 Explorer and have no problems other than the fact I am not winning any races on the highway. I'm under all my weights with the exception of going over the tongue limit of the explorer. I counter that with a weight distribution hitch and put air bags in the rear. It performs better than I thought it would and have no problems. I also don't load anything heavy in the rear of the explorer to keep the tongue weight down as much as possible. I too went to Yellowstone, and had no real issues towing in the mountains going up or down. The hill assist and built in antisway work great. I have a brake controller as well.

[Flybob]

I am a little confused as you say your Jeep has the towing package, but then say you will be adding a brake controller. There is a difference between a hitch and electrical connection and a towing package. I recommend an aux transmission cooler ( in addition to the standard one). Also check to insure that the Aux 12V power line is connected. On many smaller vehicles it is usually not connected at the factory.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Flybob

I am a little confused as you say your Jeep has the towing package, but then say you will be adding a brake controller. There is a difference between a hitch and electrical connection and a towing package. I recommend an aux transmission cooler ( in addition to the standard one). Also check to insure that the Aux 12V power line is connected. On many smaller vehicles it is usually not connected at the factory.

Most tow packages on SUV's do NOT include a brake controller; that's up to the customer. I'm only familiar with integrated brake controllers on pickup trucks.