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Old 03-22-2013, 07:14 AM   #1
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Smile tow vehicle for 21ss or 23ss

I am looking at purchasing a ROO 21ss or 23ss with all options, but first I am purchasing a new TV. I have looked at all the weights(unloaded and GVWR) of these two units and was wondering what they would weigh with all options. The tow vehicle I was interested in was the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has a tow rating of 6200 lbs with the 6 cylinder and 7400 with the 8 cylinder. I know I will never be at the total GVWR of the trailer. It's only me and my wife. I prefer to get the 6 for better gas mileage, but would the 8 cylinder be a better choice due to weight. Also can you get electric stabilizers added on the trailer somehow. Feedback greatly appreciated from all of you.
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Old 03-22-2013, 07:21 AM   #2
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You should probably also be concerned with your payload or weight capacity of the vehicle. You have to consider the tongue weight of the trailer. The dry capacities from the manufacturer will have to be plussed up; trailer options, fluids, propane tanks and propane, battery, all the stuff you pack in the trailer, will raise the tongue weight. Generally, you can add about 1,000 pounds to the dry weights as an estimate. Then there is the weight of your hitch, family and all of the stuff you pack into your vehicle. You would be surprised at how quickly all of this mounts up to more weight than you might think.

Would you consider a 1/2 ton truck with a full crew cab?
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:55 AM   #3
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as a 23SS owner, i strongly suggest a v-8 truck or SUV. or the Ecoboost F150.
any other v-6, even the Penastar, will struggle in mountains.

both trailers will be a minimum of 5000lbs. loaded. with a family, much more.
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Old 03-22-2013, 10:50 AM   #4
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I have towed a 23SS for 5 years all around the country with a Toyato Trunda, 4.7 V8. This arrangement has worked well most of the time. Only over the mountains did the truck work hard.
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:47 AM   #5
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I towed a Salem 21RD with a Dodge Dakota V8. On the GVWR it could haul 7000# trailer which the 21rd was well under,. It worked well on flat towing but was a real challenge going uphill and in any kind of wind. I would suggest a full sized 1/2 ton truck to be on the safe side. I traded the Dakota for a Ram 1500 Hemi and don't even know the trailer is there when towing now.
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:50 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by campbuzz98 View Post
I am looking at purchasing a ROO 21ss or 23ss with all options, but first I am purchasing a new TV. I have looked at all the weights(unloaded and GVWR) of these two units and was wondering what they would weigh with all options. The tow vehicle I was interested in was the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has a tow rating of 6200 lbs with the 6 cylinder and 7400 with the 8 cylinder. I know I will never be at the total GVWR of the trailer. It's only me and my wife. I prefer to get the 6 for better gas mileage, but would the 8 cylinder be a better choice due to weight. Also can you get electric stabilizers added on the trailer somehow. Feedback greatly appreciated from all of you.
have you thought about the diesel option for the 2014 GC? It would mimic the tow capacity of the v8 but have better mpg than the 6.

Of course, that assumes the JGC has enough cargo capacity for your tongue weight and gear.
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Old 03-22-2013, 12:54 PM   #7
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I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited w/ the V8, and was never disappointed in its towing capability. Until I bought my F150.

For me, I wouldn't buy a V6 to tow anything over 3-4K lbs.

My brother has a Nissan w/ the 4.3L engine pulling a 21' Jayco and he says it struggles once he gets into hilly roads like western MA or anywhere in NH. He's not a lead foot driver by any means either.

Your mileage may vary of course.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:43 PM   #8
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I've been pulling my 2012 Roo19, about 4500 lbs loaded, with a 6 speed V-6 Chevy Traverse rated for 5200 lbs. The problem is not weight but the draft. Runs in 4th gear a 3000 rpm on the flat and level; I'm not comfortable with that. I'm seriously looking for a new TV, probably a V-8 Pickup. I would definitely not go with a V-6 on 21SS or 23SS.
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:33 PM   #9
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I've been pulling my 2012 Roo19, about 4500 lbs loaded, with a 6 speed V-6 Chevy Traverse rated for 5200 lbs. The problem is not weight but the draft. Runs in 4th gear a 3000 rpm on the flat and level; I'm not comfortable with that. I'm seriously looking for a new TV, probably a V-8 Pickup. I would definitely not go with a V-6 on 21SS or 23SS.
Don't forget the new jeep has an 8 speed tranny with the v6 or v8 I believe. This will help a lot with towing performance. If you are only going to tow 5% of the time then the better choice may be the more fuel efficient option.

The diesel option seems very interesting and possibly worth waiting for, possibly the best of both worlds.

Good luck,
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:39 PM   #10
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"You should probably also be concerned with your payload or weight capacity of the vehicle."
^^That^^ is your primary concern.
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Old 03-23-2013, 01:16 PM   #11
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We towed our Roo 21RS (~5000lbs when loaded) with our '03 Jeep GC with the 4.7 V8 for 3 years. It was an OK TV, but I sure wouldn't want to use a V6. My biggest issue with the Jeep wasn't the GVWR or the power, but the short 105" wheelbase. We got pushed around a bit more than I liked & have just upgraded the a 1/2 ton with a 140" WB. Something to consider...
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Old 03-23-2013, 08:51 PM   #12
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"Don't forget the new jeep has an 8 speed tranny with the v6 or v8 I believe. This will help a lot with towing performance. If you are only going to tow 5% of the time then the better choice may be the more fuel efficient option."

I believe someone else on this forum had the new jeep w/ 8 speed tranny and was running in 6th gear on the flat and level. That still seems scary to me. Also agree with the wheelbase comment. The shorter the wheelbase, the more you're going to get knocked around, both in yaw and pitch.
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Old 03-24-2013, 08:21 AM   #13
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I wouldn't want anything less than the set up I currently have to tow my 23SS
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Old 03-24-2013, 09:23 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
"Don't forget the new jeep has an 8 speed tranny with the v6 or v8 I believe. This will help a lot with towing performance. If you are only going to tow 5% of the time then the better choice may be the more fuel efficient option."

I believe someone else on this forum had the new jeep w/ 8 speed tranny and was running in 6th gear on the flat and level. That still seems scary to me. Also agree with the wheelbase comment. The shorter the wheelbase, the more you're going to get knocked around, both in yaw and pitch.
On flat land when just maintaining speed - I was running in 7th. When climbing slight grades I was 5-6th.

It seems to handle my Roo 19 pretty well. The thing you guys need to remember is the V6's now are just as powerful, sometimes more so than the older V8's.

Now me.. I'm not worried about stress on the transmission and engine. That's why I purchased a brand new SUV. If it blows up, it will be fixed under warranty as I am not towing outside of my rated capacity.
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Old 03-24-2013, 09:35 AM   #15
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I personally would either go with the V8 or the Diesel option. (Edit: reading Doofoo's response, maybe a V6 will be ok). I rented last year, and bought a 21BH this year (By far, I am not new to towing, just getting back into it) and my diesel liberty does OK. The Mass Pike is fairly hilly (anything with a runaway truck ramp is hilly) and in 3rd gear, it pretty much held 60, which is my towing speed, for 99% of the time. That is turning 2600 to 2700 RPMs and running 1200 on the pyro when floored.

In my opinion, yes, keep payload in the back of your mind. I am probably a 200 or so pounds over myself. But, we have to work with what we got. If I still had my 4 door dually, then things would be different. I needed something that I can travel up to 200 miles a day and not break the bank, and tow the occasional trailer a few times a year.
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Old 03-24-2013, 11:58 AM   #16
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After 3 different trucks I finally found the one that is perfect at least for me. It's an f150, eco boost with max tow. I have a 23ss and it pulls the trailer with no problem (so far) on any road I have been on. The truck has a tow rating of 11300 lbs which gives me plenty of wiggle room. Good luck.
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Old 03-24-2013, 12:43 PM   #17
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Personally I wouldn't tow that big of TT with a Jeep GC, not because of power or "towing capacity", but because of the short wheel base. I would go with something like a Tahoe/ Yukon or Expedition, or better yet a 1/2 ton truck.
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Old 03-27-2013, 01:04 PM   #18
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I'm towing a 23SS with an '08 Honda Ridgeline and even with stabilizers it gets a little squirely in these heavy NJ shore winds. A heavier truck would fit the bill much better. It's much safer to have a stronger TV.
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Old 03-27-2013, 03:05 PM   #19
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From what I understand, the 23SS shipped weight is hardly more than the 21SS shipped weight, even though the 23SS has a higher GVWR. That means that you CAN load up a 23SS more, but you don't have to. So most recommend the 23SS unless you have just enough storage length for the 21SS and no more.

That said, without digging into the numbers, I suspect the V6 would do the job, and allow you to stay within the ratings. But you will be at or near the limits. I towed a large popup for 7 seasons with Chrysler minivans. Used a Prodigy brake controller and a 400 lb Single Bar WDH kit. I was at about 7900 lbs on 8300 lbs GCVWR. But I was comfortable with the equipment and my driving ability, and knew that I would not be going thru the Rockies or Smokies or any other serious hills.

Whether you feel comfortable living at the limits is a decision for you to make. I liked to save fuel for the 95% of the time that i wasn't towing. Others say the money saved is not worth the risk of accelerated wear and tear.

I currently have about 2000 lbs cushion between my loaded camper GVW and my max tow rating. But my choices at the time, in my budget, were V6 SUVs around 5500 lbs rated, or V8 SUVs around 7000 lbs rated. With choices in the 6200 lbs range, and V6 engine with more output than before, I think you have a real option with the 6.

Or just get the Hemi and not worry about it.
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Old 03-27-2013, 09:36 PM   #20
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The 23SS is supposed to be 4130 lbs off the assembly line and yellow tag dryweight is 4550 (with A/C, Heat, TV, etc.) We don't boondock (health reasons) so I am not counting any water in my weight calculations. I will hook up water and power, on site, and dump before leaving. I'll be pushing the TV close to limits, so vehicle maintenance will be crucial. Again, I recommend going with a bigger TV to reduce the risks.
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