Jeep Grand Cheroke V8 5.7L as a tow vehicle

[jepotts]

Hello, we are going to upgrade our 17Z trailer to a Jayco Swift (about 5000 lb dry), is there anyone out there that can comment on the Jeep Grand Cheroke, 5.7L with a tow package. It can tow up to 7200lb. Any comments would be welcome.

John

[clubhouse]

You don't mention what swift model you are looking at, but the potential issue with most SUVs and 1/2 ton PU is the cargo capacity of the TV. The TT tongue weight, WD hitch, cargo and passengers in the TV all become cargo weight. Best thing to do is load up the Grand Cherokee as if you are going camping with all the passengers stuff you would carry in the TV and full tank of gas then head to a scale. Subtract that scale weight from the GVWR and that will tell you how much capacity you have left for the TT TW and Hitch.

Tongue Weight is typically 13-15% if the TT weight so if you don't know the actual tongue weight from the yellow sticker on the TT you can estimate it by taking 13% of the TT GVWR.

It's just simple math at this point.

We initially pulled our 26BH with a Tahoe. Our TT, at the time, weighed ~6500 and with myself, wife, 2 small kids and 2 boxers in the Tahoe we were over on cargo weight by about 150 lbs. We used the Tahoe for a couple trips till I could upgrade TV. On flat land the Tahoe with a 5.3, 3.73 and 4 speed transmisdion did fine, in the mountains we really struggled.

[Larry G.]

When we had our Nomad TT we used our 5.7L Hemi to pull and it did fine.

[Tunce the traveler]

I tow (and am towing the Oregon Coast while we speak) with a touareg TDI. It can tow #7700 lbs. and my 2010EXP21M weighs 4850 dry+ another500 and I'm 21-23 MPG. On a 7% grade I'm only doing 2800RPM, we'll this car or SUV is just amazing. You should do your self a favor and take a look at one,bought mine for $43,500 it's the sport TDI with navigation. It's an internet price and 4 dealers were fighting for my business.

[clutch]

I am sure you will have enough power. A concern of mine would be the length of the Jeep. A long wheelbase does help with stability. I towed our old Prowler with a regular cab short box half ton Chevy and I wasn't very comfortable when meeting trucks and in the wind.