Anyone on here use a Jeep Grand Cherokee for your tow vehicle?

[kwatt57]

I'm looking for a new tow vehicle. I'd prefer a 1/2 ton truck, however I'm seeing a good deal on a 2006 G. Cherokee. It has a class IV tow package and
a 4.7L engine with 3.73 rear and advertises some impressive towing capabilities. Jeep claims w/ WDH can tow 6500lbs, 750 tongue weight, 60 square foot frontal area rating. On the books this all sounds impressive. I have a small Viking 16sd expandable, weighs in dry at 2800lbs, tongue weight says 338. All this is way under G.C.'s stats but I'm worried the jeeps wheelbase is too small and it will be shakey on the handling. I'd love to hear from people with this setup. Also like to know what model/Engine/tow package you have and what you pull with it. Thanks for all responses.

[KRSmitty]

I had a 2002, I believe, JGC with the same set up you describe. Except, I had a 24' Ameri-lite (5k pounds). It was ok as long as I stayed around Florida.

Decided to take a trip out West with it and it was not a good trip. I admit I may not have had the best WDH, but it was a bad case of the tail wagging the dog. IMHO, the JGC did not have a wide enough wheel base or enough power.

I came home from that trip and immediately started looking for a 1/2 ton truck. Did a couple test tows with a F150 and GMC 1500...The difference was like not and day.

Ended up getting a 3/4 ton diesel truck and never looked back. If you stay with the JGC, use a GOOD WDH.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Son is running a 2017 Std Cherokee and a 2017 Jayco hybrid that's at about your same numbers. He picked up trailer from CW in Texas and pulled all the way back to Nebraska with no problems at all.

[nytmare]

I use a 2014 JGC Summit as my tow vehicle, but it's the 5.7L variety. I had a 2013 GMC Acadia, but while it's inline 6 cylinder is fairly stout, it wasn't up to the task of towing our 2018 Rockwook Mini-Lite 2104S over the mountains. It probably could have, but would have struggled more than I'd prefer. The JGC has towed over the mountain and didn't remotely have a problem.

[Hersbird]

I think the Jeep is good, but avoid the 4.7 like the plague. Look for a 5.7 or a diesel. Even the 2011 up 3.6 v6 would be better than the 4.7. This is why it looks like a good deal, that 4.7 is living on borrowed time and costs more to replace than the Jeep is worth. Even the 5.7 is about 1/2 The price to replace and it has less problems.

[jackconn]

Like nytmare, we also towed a 2017 Rockwood MiniLite 2104S with a JGC with no serious problems. However, ours is a 2014 3.0L diesel and we do have a good weight distribution hitch. I've read other cautions about the wheelbase but stability was rock-solid throughout our 12,000 mile trip wandering from Raleigh, NC, to Santa Cruz and back from May through July. I did have to manage engine temp at times but never had to stop to let it cool. You're looking at a good factor of safety with the weights you gave so unless the performance has degraded I believe you'll be ok.

[stevegotl]

I had a 2014 GC with the 3.6L v6 and the Tow Package. I pulled a 28' Freedom Express with a Equalizer WDH. The GC towing capacity was 6,200 lbs also. The trailer weight was 4,900 lbs dry and about 5,500 lbs with stuff. It pulled fine in and around the flatland's of Ohio but it was buffed around more than I liked when the wind blew. I just upgraded to a RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi with the Tow package, crew cab, 3.92 rear axle and a tow capacity of 9,800 lbs. It was a world of difference pulling the FE now and even in the hills around lower Ohio. The weight of the GC was much less than the RAM and I think that had a lot to do with the sway. The RAM also gives us much more storage so we can take more on trips now.

[jking46]

Get the Jeep. I've had 2 4.7l in Durangos and never a problem with either one. Wife drives a 2008 Durango now with the 305 hp version, about 100k and it runs as strong now as when it was new.
In all fairness, the 5.7 hemi is a much stronger engine. I have one in my Ram 1500. However, given the small size and light weight of the camper, the Jeep with a 4.7 is plenty.

[closecreek]

My tv is a 2009 JGC with the 5.7 Hemi and tow package. I pull my 2013 2503s Minilite (about 4500#). I've yet to have any issues going up and down the hills of western North Carolina. I don't think I would want to do it with anything smaller through. Sometimes I do feel the wind pushing it around but only when it's a little light in the front end of the trailer. The biggest factor is the Jeep's 1050# cargo capacity, the tongue weight eats up over 400#s right from the start. Since it's just me and the DW it not usually a factor, I just have to go light on the firewood.

[Pieguy]

I towed a Fun finder t160 (2200 lbs) with a 99 Grand Cherokee 6 cyl. Did fins slowed down a lot on Colorado passes. Picked up a 2002 Grand Cherokee with HO 4.7 did much better. Never had any issues if loaded right. I use a weight distribution hitch. I now have a 3500 lb Trailer. Towed it 60 miles home with 2008 Jeep Commander 4.7. It did great. We always wish we had more hp. We are weekend campers and usually head up the hills. That Grand Cherokee is the same as my commander.

[dcling]

Originally Posted by jackconn

Like nytmare, we also towed a 2017 Rockwood MiniLite 2104S with a JGC with no serious problems. However, ours is a 2014 3.0L diesel and we do have a good weight distribution hitch. I've read other cautions about the wheelbase but stability was rock-solid throughout our 12,000 mile trip wandering from Raleigh, NC, to Santa Cruz and back from May through July. I did have to manage engine temp at times but never had to stop to let it cool. You're looking at a good factor of safety with the weights you gave so unless the performance has degraded I believe you'll be ok.

x2

[Retiredtwo]

We used it to tow our Wildwood 171rbxl @ 4500 lbs. for the 1st few trips. The anti sway bar is a must. We went across I-10 in the panhandle of FL with cautionary wind advisories and did fine. I felt very comfortable doing the small hills we have around here but my better half thought we could use something a bit more substantial on a longer trip up to the UP. We got a half ton and now there is no concern about the 500 lb. limit for towing with the Jeep. I do miss the Jeeps maneuverability.