Pulling HW277 with 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Koedean · 01-02-2014, 02:21 PM

Just picked up a used 2014 hw277. It was a good deal, so we grabbed it. But we don't have a TV yet (borrowed a friends). From everything I have read, this appears to be a great TV. 25 gal gas tank. Rear wheel drive. 6200 tow rating. 26 mpg hwy.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? Need anti sway or WDH? I would think we will end up about 3600 lbs on the 277.

**ependydad** · 01-02-2014, 02:26 PM

That's a good estimate for an actual weight on the 277. At 3,600 pounds, you'll likely have a tongue weight of right around 450 pounds.

The owner's manual for the Grand Cherokee should tell you the cutoff for a WDH or not. You should be able to google it and find one since it sounds like you haven't bought yet. That or a towing guide for Jeep.

After two sway incidents with my pop-up, I'm a believer in them- even if it's just a simple friction sway bar.

Koedean · 01-02-2014, 03:27 PM

Says TW capacity is 620...then mentions 3500+ in one section for WDH and 5000+ in another. Go figure.

**ependydad** · 01-02-2014, 03:41 PM

My guess is that without a WDH, the limits are 620 lbs. of tongue weight and a maximum of 3,500 pounds for the camper.

With a WDH, you can exceed the 620 lbs. of tongue weight and go up to 5,000 pounds for the camper.

Which sounds like you shouldn't need a WDH with this hw277.

Now, the tough decision- lots of people start in a pop-up and move on after a season or two (lots don't, of course). If you buy this tow vehicle, will you be able to change to a hard-sided TT in the future? Will you want to? You don't have to answer- just something to think about.

CampinDad · 01-02-2014, 03:47 PM

Can't remember the exact numbers on my Jeep Liberty Renegade, but I assume it is similar to the Grand Cherokee and I pull the HW276. We did have to install a sway bar. Without one, I topped at 50 mph or it would sway. With it, I've caught myself hitting 70+ with no issues.

Koedean · 01-02-2014, 04:51 PM

What year is the Renegade?

GalsofEscape · 01-02-2014, 06:48 PM

I pull a hw277 with the redesigned Dodge Durango (a 2011). It is a close cousin to the newer Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011 and newer) if that is what you are looking at. I do have the v8 hemi engine with factory tow package giving me a 7200 lbs tow capacity. It pulls the hw277 with out any issues, no sway and I do not have the WDH. We have pulled it from Maryland to Yellowstone and to the finger lakes of New York. I would recommend the V8 engine, you will get some extra tow capacity over the V6. I still have to watch the total weight in the TV, I have only 1200 lbs carry capacity with the durango so you may want to check that on the Grand Cherokee.

GalsofEscape · 01-02-2014, 07:13 PM

As a side note, when I was shopping for my TV, I wanted a 7000 lbs tow capacity (wanted a lot of breathing room). There were only two vehicles that fit at that time, the Durango and the Nissan Pathfinder. So you may want to look at these for comparsion and capability as well as bang for the buck to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Koedean · 01-02-2014, 07:49 PM

Pathfinder went down in rating recently. We will probably use this 4 times a year. Then it will be regular 2nd vehicle, so I wanted to avoid V8 for every day use/gas mileage. The jeep is 6200 lbs tow capacity now, so I should only be around 60% of capacity with the 277. Yeah, payload is about the same....I think 1160, but it's just my wife and I, so if I can manage to not get any fatter, we should be ok. More concerned about how it feels towing it. For me, I would rather pay for the WDH and sway bars if it makes me more comfortable driving. That being said, I don't like just throwing away money either.

GalsofEscape · 01-02-2014, 08:10 PM

Did it? Go figure. Guess they went the way of the Ford Explorer. It too went down in tow capacity back in 2011.
Can understand the gas mileage concern. I do use the Durango for my daily and it would be nice to get better mpg, but we tow frequently 9 to 10 trips per year. So the beefier engine was more my concern.

CampinDad · 01-07-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koedean

What year is the Renegade?

'04

Koedean · 08-30-2014, 01:22 PM

Follow up.....bought the GC. Been on four trips and pulls with ease. The GC manual does give you a limit of around 3400 lbs before requiring a WD hitch. I am right at that weight, did not do WDH and have no issues. A little frustrating how hard it is to find this info before buying the TV. Love the jeep, love the 277 and they seem to be a perfect fit.

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vinmaker · 08-30-2014, 02:50 PM

Glad it all worked out.

Enjoy your new toy.

Vin.

BigBaron · 08-31-2014, 05:52 PM

It is hard to find info on towing, especially opinions on "how it feels." The older GCs are good TVs.
You need to post pics of it all hooked up!

PlanetKid · 08-31-2014, 06:11 PM

I was considering the GC as a replacement for my 98 4runner if it couldn't tow the 277 after we got it last fall. Well after 2 long trips up high mountains of both the NY Adirondacks and the Green Mountains of Vermont, I find my old camping truck still capable of doing the job. That's with a 5000lb tow capacity. So I'm confident you will have no issue towing with that Jeep. Enjoy your trailer, it is amazing.

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