Jeep Tow Vehicle

[foggy1111]

The new (2011) Jeep Grand Cherokee has some pretty good towing capacity....and I am considering buying one of these. They are rated at up to 7400 lbs trailer towing....which is the highest I know of with a uni-body / cross-over type vehicle.

I like driving a cross-over size vehicle for everyday driving. But that has made some issues for me when towing my boat or my tractor....as the tow ratings have not been there for my vehicle.

I am considering a Jeep Overland model (all the whistles and bells) and the V8 Hemi Engine and 4WD....which has a towing capacity of 7200 lbs. I'm tired of living on the edge of the tow ratings....and wanting a nimble SUV.

I thought I would give a heads up on this....as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the new Dodge Durango (which is just about to be produced) are both "cross-over" size and have big tow ratings. (FINALLY!!)

 

[BruceWard]

All VW Touaregs are rated to tow 7716 pounds.

I do like the look of the new Grand Cherokee. I wish they had 7 seats!

 

[foggy1111]

All VW Touaregs are rated to tow 7716 pounds.

I do like the look of the new Grand Cherokee. I wish they had 7 seats!

Yeah...I had heard that too...and have ridden in one. Nice vehicles....but a bit small for me....and my junk hauling (in the back). I always wondered how they got that tow rating on such a small wheel base...as found on the VW.

 

[foggy1111]

All VW Touaregs are rated to tow 7716 pounds.

I do like the look of the new Grand Cherokee. I wish they had 7 seats!

The Dodge will have the seating....and I was told a similar price tag.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We had a V8 AWD Mercury Mountaineer that my wife drove. It was a great vehicle that we keep for 3 years and 68,000 miles. Never in the shop a day and still had the factory tires on it with good tread. It had a 6,880# tow rating which I thought was good at the time. That new Jeep sounds impressive.

By the way I towed my 18' car hauler many times between my home and in laws, 130 miles or so each way, pulling my 5,200# tractor for a total load right around 7,000#. I also towed my uncles Corvette on the same trailer to quite a few shows with it and it did just fine. That load was probably 5,500# total.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

All VW Touaregs are rated to tow 7716 pounds.

The problem with the Touareg is that your only choices of engines are a severely underpowered V6 3.6l (280hp/266lb.ft) or an expensive and higher maintenance V6 3.0l diesel engine (225hp/406lb.ft). Most SUV drivers don't want or need a diesel.

Dropping the HEMI in that Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best things they did to it. 360hp/390lb.ft with the Jeep over road ability, looks and the adjustable "quad-lift" suspension makes a near perfect SUV in my book. :thumbsup:

I too am hoping the Durango comes with the 3rd row seat like previous models, the wife and I are looking to replace our 04 Chrysler Pacifica within the next year and really like having at least a 6 passenger vehicle.

 

[foggy1111]

The problem with the Touareg is that your only choices of engines are a severely underpowered V6 3.6l (280hp/266lb.ft) or an expensive and higher maintenance V6 3.0l diesel engine (225hp/406lb.ft). Most SUV drivers don't want or need a diesel.

Dropping the HEMI in that Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best things they did to it. 360hp/390lb.ft with the Jeep over road ability, looks and the adjustable "quad-lift" suspension makes a near perfect SUV in my book. :thumbsup:

I too am hoping the Durango comes with the 3rd row seat like previous models, the wife and I are looking to replace our 04 Chrysler Pacifica within the next year and really like having at least a 6 passenger vehicle.

Your in luck on the Durango. It WILL have the third row seat....and its about a foot longer (?) than the Jeep....if my memory serves. I think they are going to be showing up in November / December. I have read so much on these vehicles in the past days confused2. There is lots of fresh info on the web. The dealer I am talking to claims that the price for the Durango will be very close to the Jeep (when both are similar equipped).

I predict these Jeeps are gonna be HOT. Already hard to get the Overland model.....seems they made more low cost vehicles first...which is backwards to normal.

I think I am going to play "Lets make a deal" on a Jeep tomorrow.

 

[Ken45101]

We have a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 7000# tow rating. No way in heck would I ever tow that much with a small vehicle!

Yes, I'm sure it can PULL it. But can it handle that weight in an emergency maneuver?

I used to pull 7000#s occasionally (and slowly) with a half ton pickup. It was kind of scary. I only did it a few times. A 3/4 ton truck did much better.

I also assume that the Jeep requires a weight distributing hitch and a sway bar for that kind of weight.

I remember back when Chevy's towing guide rated the Chevette (a 70's compact car) for towing 3000#s! There wasn't even a way to attach a hitch to it that would handle that weight

Ken

 

[ovrszd]

I remember back when Chevy's towing guide rated the Chevette (a 70's compact car) for towing 3000#s! There wasn't even a way to attach a hitch to it that would handle that weight

Ken

I laughed outloud at this one!!!

I think today's specifications are a little more realistic than the Chevette, but I'm with you. I had a V8 '96 Grand Cherokee. It would pull a Offroad Jeep or my Kubota B3030 on a trailer but you certainly didn't want anything to go wrong!!!

I decided I needed a tow vehicle before I killed someone or myself and bought a used (100K miles) Powerstroke Super Duty for $12K. When comparing new Grand Cherokee prices, that still leaves me with at least $25K to buy a comfortable used SUV. Best of both worlds!!!

 

[Bikewanderer]

I laughed outloud at this one!!!

I think today's specifications are a little more realistic than the Chevette, but I'm with you. I had a V8 '96 Grand Cherokee. It would pull a Offroad Jeep or my Kubota B3030 on a trailer but you certainly didn't want anything to go wrong!!!

I decided I needed a tow vehicle before I killed someone or myself and bought a used (100K miles) Powerstroke Super Duty for $12K. When comparing new Grand Cherokee prices, that still leaves me with at least $25K to buy a comfortable used SUV. Best of both worlds!!!

I couldn't agree more. I have pulled heavy loads with a half ton before and lighter SUV's but there is no replacement for a proper tow vehicle. IMHO, anything over about 5000 lbs is in 3/4 ton range - regardless of what they say in there. Something as simple as getting proper tongue weight on a trailer is much more difficult with that much weight. Can a grand cherokee handle 800-1000 lbs tongue weight? If not - it has no business advertising that kind of towing capacity. Too little tongue weight results in a violent side to side sway that is terrifying in a properly sized tow vehicle.