Should I tow it?

[Mattc89]

I am planning on purchasing a brand new wolf pup 16pf. I have a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee with tow package. TT is 3600 dry and up to 5000 fully loaded. The Jeep says it can tow 6200lbs. I know that's not the only factor but the rest kind of confuses me (Total newbie with TT and towing). If anyone has experience with Jeeps or Mid size SUVs or any advise it would be greatly appreciated. My girlfriend and I live in New Mexico and are diving to Colorado to pick it up, and stay a night in it on our way home. (about a 6 hour drive non stop). Has anyone picked up their camper and camped in it the same night? We will be at an RV park with full hook ups.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

Has anyone picked up their camper and camped in it the same night? We will be at an RV park with full hook ups.

That part I have done. Picked up my trailer, towed it 6 hours to our first campsite. 4 hours home the next day. While camping the first night, the CO alarm would go off every time the water heater came on. (Manufacturing debris/oil burning off). Found a water leak (the first of many) under the bathroom sink. Discovered how horrible the mattress was.

Oh, and it was after dark when we finally arrived at our campsite so I got to back in with a trailer that was 6 feet longer than my previous trailer, dual axle v. single axle, and a new to me tow vehicle (Dodge Durango v. previous Dodge Grand Caravan) in the dark. Lucky it was an easy spot, I set out a battery powered lantern on the ground on the corner of the driveway and was able to see the trailer tires to just rotate them around the lantern.

Also the tow to the campsite was against a strong (30-40 mph) head-cross wind. Trailer sway was not too bad, I have weight distribution hitch but no way control. Does your Jeep have a brake controller? Just because it has the tow package does not mean there is a brake controller built in.

As far as towing, we would need a lot more information - exact year model of your tow vehicle, what type of hitch (weight distribution?)

[MNtraveler]

Add your Jeep's GVWR and your trailer's fully loaded weight and see if the total is less than your Jeep's GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). It should be on the driver's door jamb.

Next check your hitch and ball for capability to hold 10-15% of the trailer's fully loaded weight, which in your case could be 500-750#. You can adjust that down towards 500 by adjusting the load distribution in the trailer within some ability (what you can actually move and where you can put it). But if you don't put enough weight on the hitch it will trash around on you.

Then see how it sits on the Jeep. Make sure the front end isn't being pushed up too much or you will have trouble steering. View the combined setup from a distance from the side and see how she sits.

[Mattc89]

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with Altitude trim and class IV tow package. It does not have a break controller but I was planning on installing one. it has a 3.6L V6 CYL 24V High Output engine. Tongue weight 350. I am also planning on getting a WDH with sway bar.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with Altitude trim and class IV tow package. It does not have a break controller but I was planning on installing one. it has a 3.6L V6 CYL 24V High Output engine. Tongue weight 350. I am also planning on getting a WDH with sway bar.

500-750# is a more realistic tongue weight for balance and control. 10-15% of fully loaded trailer is a good rule of thumb.

[Mattc89]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

500-750# is a more realistic tongue weight for balance and control. 10-15% of fully loaded trailer is a good rule of thumb.

Would a weight distribution hitch help balance out the tongue weight? Since the tongue weight on the jeep is only 350?

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

Would a weight distribution hitch help balance out the tongue weight? Since the tongue weight on the jeep is only 350?

A properly adjusted WDH will shift some of the tongue weight to the front axle of the Jeep and also back to the trailer axle. However, with a loaded trailer tongue weight of ~ 600+ pounds, you're not going to get that down anywhere close to the 350lb limit of the Jeep hitch.

[21wolfpupfq]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with Altitude trim and class IV tow package. It does not have a break controller but I was planning on installing one. it has a 3.6L V6 CYL 24V High Output engine. Tongue weight 350. I am also planning on getting a WDH with sway bar.

Something does not add up; TV has Class IV hitch, 6200 lbs tow limit but TW is only 350 lbs? could be a typo? could it be 650 lbs?

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

A properly adjusted WDH will shift some of the tongue weight to the front axle of the Jeep and also back to the trailer axle. However, with a loaded trailer tongue weight of ~ 600+ pounds, you're not going to get that down anywhere close to the 350lb limit of the Jeep hitch.

Agreed.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by 21wolfpupfq

Something does not add up; TV has Class IV hitch, 6200 lbs tow limit but TW is only 350 lbs? could be a typo? could it be 650 lbs?

It could be a limitation of the hitch, not the Jeep?

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

It could be a limitation of the hitch, not the Jeep?

Given the vehicle' other tow limits, that sounds more plausible....

[GalsofEscape]

that 350 lb limit may be the limit for a non-WDH hitch - my Durango lists 350lbs limit for regular hitch and 720 lb limit w/ WDH.

[D W]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

It could be a limitation of the hitch, not the Jeep?

It would have to be the limitation of the Jeep as a CL IV hitch is typically rated for 900 lbs TW with a WDH.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

A properly adjusted WDH will shift some of the tongue weight to the front axle of the Jeep and also back to the trailer axle. However, with a loaded trailer tongue weight of ~ 600+ pounds, you're not going to get that down anywhere close to the 350lb limit of the Jeep hitch.

And if you did, the sway would take the Jeep right off the road.

[SetauketJeff]

Silly question: Does your Jeep have the hitch receiver installed or are you quoting the tongue weight limit for the bumper installed ball?

Either way, way way too much tongue weight. I have the Wolf Pup 16FQ which is a little lighter than yours and my tongue weight is stated to be 444lbs, but in real life its much more and then you need to add 100lbs for the weight distribution hitch.

Also look at the Curt Wireless brake controller, and pick up a weight distribution hitch with sway control.

Good luck with the new Travel Trailer!

[campers302]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

I am planning on purchasing a brand new wolf pup 16pf. I have a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee with tow package. TT is 3600 dry and up to 5000 fully loaded. The Jeep says it can tow 6200lbs. I know that's not the only factor but the rest kind of confuses me (Total newbie with TT and towing). If anyone has experience with Jeeps or Mid size SUVs or any advise it would be greatly appreciated. My girlfriend and I live in New Mexico and are diving to Colorado to pick it up, and stay a night in it on our way home. (about a 6 hour drive non stop). Has anyone picked up their camper and camped in it the same night? We will be at an RV park with full hook ups.

See my signature below. Jeep Grand Cherokee with same towing capacitiy as you.
First trip 10000 miles with out a hitch.

[SetauketJeff]

Originally Posted by campers302

See my signature below. Jeep Grand Cherokee with same towing capacitiy as you.
First trip 10000 miles with out a hitch.

Campers302 your 2019 Forest River Coachman Freedom Exp 248 RBS:
Hitch Weight: 728 lb.
GVWR: 7500 lb.
UVW 5574 lb.
CCC 1926 lb
DUEL AXLE! (Matt's Wolf Pup is a single axle)


Same Tow Rig may not be not true. Matt states 6,200 for towing cap. so he has a 2020 3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine.

Your rig just says Jeep Grand Cherokee. What year and engine? The 2020 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel can pull 7,400 which is the top capacity.

Glad you pulled with no issues. But your numbers indicate differently. And don't forget to add the 100lbs of Hitch Weight for the Weight Distribution Hitch.

Just because one guy jumped off the bridge and lived, doesn't mean the next guy will. And who knows, maybe the first guy was an olympic diver with years of training, or just plain lucky.


Campers302, any way you're a trailer salesman? You sound like one. Didn't know you could pull "without a hitch".

[FrankG]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with Altitude trim and class IV tow package. It does not have a break controller but I was planning on installing one. it has a 3.6L V6 CYL 24V High Output engine. Tongue weight 350. I am also planning on getting a WDH with sway bar.

Matt you will be just fine. The Wolf pup 16pf is designed to be combined with a class III tow package and you have a class IV. Install the break controller and I would suggest a Anderson WDH with sway control. It is light weight, 51 Lbs, simple to use, and well suited for your combination. With the 84" width of the wolf pup I would think your existing mirrors will work fine.

You have a great combination for your first venture into the RV adventures. After a thorough systems check at the dealer, and acquiring all the necessary accessories, have a great time on your way back. I would start out with some water in the holding tank for potty use.

Necessary Items;

Tire Pressure Gauge
Lug Wrench (Torque Wrench)
Leveling blocks
Wheel Chocks
Potable Water Hose
Sewer Hose
Some Adult Beverages in the refrigerator

[dave1650]

Originally Posted by Mattc89

Would a weight distribution hitch help balance out the tongue weight? Since the tongue weight on the jeep is only 350?

Are you saying your Jeep is limited to 350lb tongue weight on your receiver or is that what you expect the TT to put on your receiver? Your TT is listed as 475lb tongue weight unloaded. Where is the 350lb limit coming from?

[campers302]

Originally Posted by SetauketJeff

Campers302 your 2019 Forest River Coachman Freedom Exp 248 RBS:
Hitch Weight: 728 lb.
GVWR: 7500 lb.
UVW 5574 lb.
CCC 1926 lb
DUEL AXLE! (Matt's Wolf Pup is a single axle)


Same Tow Rig may not be not true. Matt states 6,200 for towing cap. so he has a 2020 3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine.

Your rig just says Jeep Grand Cherokee. What year and engine? The 2020 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel can pull 7,400 which is the top capacity.

Glad you pulled with no issues. But your numbers indicate differently. And don't forget to add the 100lbs of Hitch Weight for the Weight Distribution Hitch.

Just because one guy jumped off the bridge and lived, doesn't mean the next guy will. And who knows, maybe the first guy was an olympic diver with years of training, or just plain lucky.


Campers302, any way you're a trailer salesman? You sound like one. Didn't know you could pull "without a hitch".

Well thank you for the spanking. I appreciate it so much.
I guess I was too vague in this conversation.

The only point I was making was that I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the same 6,200 for towing capacity.



Good luck with your bridge jump, I wish you well.