Anyone have experience towing with a Grand Cherokee?

[GPintheMitten]

I have an 07 Jeep Commander. Has the Hemi and is rated to tow 7500. I think my Commander weighs about 5000. It tows wonderfully. I have a brake controller and electric brakes on my tandem axle trailer. I hit the "tow haul" button.

My gas mileage is horrible but it gets the job done.

I recommend staying below 65 when towing a heavy load. 60 is a good speed on the interstate.

 

[ovrszd]

Towing isn't the problem. Stopping is. A good brake system on the trailer and tow vehicle and you'll be fine.

 

[JoeL4330]

I have a 2008 GC with the MB diesel and tow rated limit of 7K+ ...don't get near the mpg's you get, however ...22 is my av'ge.
I have trouble swallowing 35 ...calibrated your odometer?

I had a 1968 MB 200D that looked to be getting >40 mpg, but found it was simply sucking up the fuel tank (not adequately vented) and making the tank smaller with each fillup ...till I discovered the problem.

 

[aginn]

I am not sure how the Jeep comes equipped now, but if you have the automatic transmission it should be equipped with a good transmission cooler. Heat is as big an enemy of automatics as dirty tranny fluid.
Sounds like a nice rig though. Can't wait to see it. Grats.

 

[Panik]

Given that is kinda a jeep towing thread I was hoping I could tag on a related question. Ctgoldwing, or anyone else for that matter, if hijacking the thread I appropriately let me know and I'll delete my post. BTW I understand what you mean about snagging the jeep to go to work. I used to steal our commander when it was my wife's primary vehicle.

Basically I have a bit of trailer envy going on. While the 18' 5k trailer I have now works well it does have a good amount of flex in the frame and the cross members are 24 o.c.. I just found a really good deal on a Kaufman 18' 10k with 16" on center 3" channel cross members and. 6" channel frame. Am I crazy for wanting to upgrade? This thing has all the bells and whistles (led, sealed wiring, storage between the tongue). It also looks like it is built strong enough that I could throw just about anything I would ever need at it. The only downside is that it's 3000lbs where as my current trailer is 2000lbs. Basically I would be buying with idea of upgrading to a truck after the jeep wears out and in the mean time be limited to a very solid 3500lbs load capacity and lower mpg's. Anyone care to talk some sense into me.

 

[wmonroe]

Given that is kinda a jeep towing thread I was hoping I could tag on a related question. Ctgoldwing, or anyone else for that matter, if hijacking the thread I appropriately let me know and I'll delete my post. BTW I understand what you mean about snagging the jeep to go to work. I used to steal our commander when it was my wife's primary vehicle. Basically I have a bit of trailer envy going on. While the 18' 5k trailer I have now works well it does have a good amount of flex in the frame and the cross members are 24 o.c.. I just found a really good deal on a Kaufman 18' 10k with 16" on center 3" channel cross members and. 6" channel frame. Am I crazy for wanting to upgrade? This thing has all the bells and whistles (led, sealed wiring, storage between the tongue). It also looks like it is built strong enough that I could throw just about anything I would ever need at it. The only downside is that it's 3000lbs where as my current trailer is 2000lbs. Basically I would be buying with idea of upgrading to a truck after the jeep wears out and in the mean time be limited to a very solid 3500lbs load capacity and lower mpg's. Anyone care to talk some sense into me.

The new trailer sounds like a good idea to me. The best part would be while you are still using the jeep as the tow vehicle, the brakes on the 10k trailer will be strong therefore increasing your safety margin if you keep the overall load the same.

 

[Panik]

That's probably not what my wife wants to hear, but I certainly appreciate the support. I was actually thinking about seeing if I could get a 6k axle upgrade and keep it tagged at 10. I seriously doubt that I would every use the whole capacity, but I can definitely see where the additional beefiness would come in handy with loose/hard to balance loads.

 

[wmonroe]

Not sure how the laws are in your state but a lot of time it significantly reduces registration cost and simplifies requirements if it's registered at 9999 lbs. You could still get the heavier axles but down rate the registration, just a thought.

 

[Panik]

Yup - I threw out 10k as a rather loose term. If I do this I'm planning on getting it tagged 9 and change.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I'll try to talk you out of it.

What do you haul that would require a bigger trailer?
If you're hauling your BX and implements your current trailer is plenty.

A little flex isn't going to hurt anything and you can upgrade to LEDs for $75 or less.