Anyone have experience towing with a Grand Cherokee?

[ctgoldwing]

As much as I wanted a pick up, my wife was that much plus 1 against it So I bit the bullet & & just took delivery on a Grand Cherokee with the 6 cly diesel. It is rated to tow 7200lbs - more than enough for me to occasionally move my L3400 15 miles & back. The non-towing mileage is pretty unbelieveable. We drove to Long Island for a long New Years & overall it got 30 mpg. On the relatively flat parkways in NY it was over 35. So if nothing else its an econobox
Has anyone tried towing with a similar vehicle? Before I invest in a 7k lb trailer I sure would like to feel that I could end up using it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That is great to hear. We are due to trade in our 2007 BMW and I love the new Cherokee. While I am not a overall diesel fan, I own one currently and have had 4 others, that millage sounds nice. It's 30% better than the gas counter part which is the point at which a diesel now becomes economically viable.

Chris

 

[dieselcrawler]

Nice... tractor will be quite a load for it but the day to day use it will shine. I am a huge fan of diesel... can ya tell?

 

[wmonroe]

I've towed about 4k with my wife's grand Cherokee with the GAS v6. It did fine and I think you will be fine as long as you use the typical common sense when towing, longer stopping, get a brake controller, blah blah. I've been looking at the new diesel grand Cherokees, they seem to be getting as good if not better than the claimed numbers. I haven't driven one yet since I'm not quite ready for another vehicle.

 

[moship]

Did you get the Grand Cherokee with a factory hitch installed? If not the days of simply installing a hitch and go are almost over. It may have changed, but some GC in the past 2-3 years require a trip to the dealer for software update. (learned the hard way w/my neighbors gas v-6.) With all the control systems on modern cars it's necessary for the hitch and resulting load to be recognized by the computer.

 

[ctgoldwing]

I've towed about 4k with my wife's grand Cherokee with the GAS v6. It did fine and I think you will be fine as long as you use the typical common sense when towing, longer stopping, get a brake controller, blah blah. I've been looking at the new diesel grand Cherokees, they seem to be getting as good if not better than the claimed numbers. I haven't driven one yet since I'm not quite ready for another vehicle.

Thanks wmonroe - I don't plan any major towing, just moving the tractor to another location about 15 miles from here a couple times a year and possibly getting a smaller trailer to bring large household 'stuff' to 2 of my sons (one in MD the other in GA). Those runs would be something with a gross weight of 3k lbs or so. I am truly pleasantly surprised at the mileage figures this vehicle is turning in.

Did you get the Grand Cherokee with a factory hitch installed? If not the days of simply installing a hitch and go are almost over. It may have changed, but some GC in the past 2-3 years require a trip to the dealer for software update. (learned the hard way w/my neighbors gas v-6.) With all the control systems on modern cars it's necessary for the hitch and resulting load to be recognized by the computer.

Yes moship, it did come with the factory tow package. Besides the mechanical pieces I understand there are some suspension changes when you get that package.

 

[Panik]

I have an '06 4.7L Commander and just recently purchased a 7K 18' car hauler to cart my BX around. Trailer is around 2K and the BX w/loader and MMM comes in right around 2K. I haven't had that many opporunties to use the new trailer but so far the combo has worked really well for me. Gotten some compliments on it as well driving around town. :cool2:

I'm limited to towing 6500 with my Jeep. I don't really foresee myself pulling that, but with brakes on both trailer axles I don't foresee a huge problem with doing so on a limited basis.

Point being I think your Jeep is very capable for the needs you describe and your going to be able to get it done in style, comfort and better gas mileage than a many of us are able. Mine was my wife's kid hauler until our family outgrew it and we got her a mini-van. Like you I wanted a truck but I think I'll happily run the jeep into the ground first. Congrats on the acquisition! Enjoy using it and post some pics of your new rig.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Thanks for the encouragement Panik

It is a sweet ride (I've been convincing the wifey that the roads are too icy for her to go out & I've been taking it to work). I'll get a pix up as soon as I can, right now I'm in the trailer search mode

 

[simoutdoors]

Shop I worked at a while back had a Jeep Cherokee Sport, I understand your Jeep it bigger. It would pull 18 - 20' boats fine, but stopping that kind of weight would get interesting. Having electric breaks would be a good investment.

 

[RAECOREP]

I have a 2005 GC with 5.7 hemi. I tow an 18' tandem trailer with a 96 Cherokee set up for off-road. Just make sure you install a brake controller and you will be just fine.