Towing vehicle delima

Olivia · 10-01-2014, 01:55 PM

Hello,
We are planning to buy Jayco 23MB in Spring.
After a long research, We have finally nailed down our future towing vehicles to VW Touareg Diesel 2014 and Grand Cherokee Diesel 2015.
I would appreciate anyone's comments on those cars with regard to reliability and price.
We are also planning to do some light off roading with the new car.
Thank you

nbhybrid · 10-01-2014, 02:01 PM

with a loaded tongue weight of over 700lbs I wouldn't recommend either.

lots of power to tow but little payload

DocBrown · 10-01-2014, 02:02 PM

If you need to do even light off roading, the Jeep would be my choice. All Jeeps are made with off roading in mind and pretty much have flawless 4WD systems.

Olivia · 10-01-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

with a loaded tongue weight of over 700lbs I wouldn't recommend either.

lots of power to tow but little payload

Here is the spec for Jayco 23MB
Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)4,200
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)425
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)6,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)2,300

Olivia · 10-01-2014, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBrown

If you need to do even light off roading, the Jeep would be my choice. All Jeeps are made with off roading in mind and pretty much have flawless 4WD systems.

I like the GC much more than VW Touareg, however I have seen so many complains about GC's various issues which makes me to lean towards Touareg. Touareg is more expensive, does not have that many features that GC has but is more reliable, at least when you are reading the feed backs from the consumers.

nbhybrid · 10-01-2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olivia

Here is the spec for Jayco 23MB
Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)4,200
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)425
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)6,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)2,300

before option weight is 4200.

it will be sitting on the dealers lot weighing at least 4590-4650.

add 600-900 lbs of personal items,tools,camping necessities and the weight ready to camp will be 5200-5500lbs.

in order to avoid a dangerous sway condition you will need a TW of 13 percent. 5500x13 %= 715lbs plus 100 lbs for the hitch.

that is a lot of trailer

DocBrown · 10-01-2014, 03:15 PM

nbhybrid beat me to it. I was going to make an almost identical post. Your only saving grace would be to check and see if either TV has a spec for max tongue weight with a WD hitch. In other words trucks have two ratings, dead weight and max tongue weight with a WD hitch. If there is only one rating, then you will almost certainly be over.

Any reason you wouldn't consider a full size truck with 4WD?

Camper_bob · 10-01-2014, 03:23 PM

The GC Limited 4x4 with 3.0L Eco Diesel equipped with Heavy Duty Tow package has payload capacity of 1270. Take the above estimated 815 (tongue and hitch) and you're left with 455 lbs (depending on what the above 1270 includes; usually 150 lb driver and full tank of gas and fluids). That's the best equipped Jeep GC from a payload perspective. The Touraeg seems to have payload around 1155 lbs.

If it's just me and DW, I could make the Jeep work for us. But you start adding gear and kids, and you're out of your payload spec pretty quick. Also, with a trailer that long, you'll want a heavier tongue, and the short wheel base of either tow vehicle will be a pretty significant disadvantage.

Decisions decisions...

Camper_bob · 10-01-2014, 03:27 PM

I forgot to mention the soft suspension usually found in SUVs. With a 4x4 SUV with independent rear coil spring suspension, you could have a "saggy butt" (increasing your sway problems) even if you're within your payload spec. But IIRC, those new Jeeps have air suspension don't they? That might help...

nbhybrid · 10-01-2014, 03:38 PM

Don't get me wrong, I am not the weight police by any means especially with my set up but I had the TV before the trailer and bought one of the smallest trailers I could get and a new TV is not in the plans. I have been towing for many many years and i feel confident in my abilities.

I just wouldn't recommend either TV for that trailer because you haven't bought it yet and there are so many choices.

For the 55-60k you could get a fullsize loaded crew cab truck or tahoe which would be much better

Good luck

Camper_bob · 10-01-2014, 05:11 PM

I agree, for that money, you could get a NICE truck. No weight police here either...

I can't really say anything anyway, I'm at my max. I also had my truck first, and ended up buying the trailer my DW fell in love with knowing full well it was going to be close. Now plans are to get a bigger truck in a couple years. My truck can do it, but my situation could be better, and with a kid on the way, I just want to go and not worry about the weight.

My advice? Over truck yourself up front, (get as much extra capacity as your situation will permit within reason) and you'll be much happier at the end of the day. When I bought my truck, I never imagined us getting a trailer this big, but things happen...

Nighthawk 96 · 10-01-2014, 06:47 PM

If its a Diesel you want, check out the new Ram 1500.

nbhybrid · 10-01-2014, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk 96

If its a Diesel you want, check out the new Ram 1500.

a Laramie 2500 cummins is the same price as a grand Cherokee.

Beatcop49 · 10-01-2014, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

before option weight is 4200.

it will be sitting on the dealers lot weighing at least 4590-4650.

add 600-900 lbs of personal items,tools,camping necessities and the weight ready to camp will be 5200-5500lbs.

in order to avoid a dangerous sway condition you will need a TW of 13 percent. 5500x13 %= 715lbs plus 100 lbs for the hitch.

that is a lot of trailer

Total agreement. I have a 23 MBH. Loaded, with no water in tanks, it's at 5600. I wouldn't go with eithef of your choices.

micron · 10-01-2014, 08:05 PM

My wife is on her 2nd Grand Cherokee. We really like it for travelling with 2 children but I would never want to pull a TT with it. It just doesn't do anything to spark the confidence. Have you thought about the Dodge Durango? I don't know the specs but I've been told they have a higher towing capacity than the GC and they are nearly the same vehicle.

Olivia · 10-01-2014, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the invaluable advices. Buying a truck is not an option. Our family with 2 kids would like to enjoy the camping trips. I think squeezing kids in a truck for 1000 miles might change their view on camping. I also want to use the SUV on daily basis for driving to work. We will eventually buy either GC or Touareg or another the same size SUV. But truck, no thanks

Camper_bob · 10-01-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olivia

Thanks for the invaluable advices. Buying a truck is not an option. Our family with 2 kids would like to enjoy the camping trips. I think squeezing kids in a truck for 1000 miles might change their view on camping. I also want to use the SUV on daily basis for driving to work. We will eventually buy either GC or Touareg or another the same size SUV. But truck, no thanks

In that case, my recommendation would be to find a smaller, lighter trailer. The hybrid trailers they have out now are VERY nice, and they have many of the advantages of both hard sided trailers and pop ups.

We came pretty close to buying one to pull behind my Sierra, would've handled any of them like a champ. But like I said earlier, things happen... You know what they say about a happy wife.

Olivia · 10-01-2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatcop49

Total agreement. I have a 23 MBH. Loaded, with no water in tanks, it's at 5600. I wouldn't go with eithef of your choices.

Please note that we are planning to buy 23MB not 23MBH

Specs for 23MBH
WeightsUnloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)5,045
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)590

Specs for 23 MB
WeightsUnloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)4,200
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)425

Olivia · 10-01-2014, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micron

My wife is on her 2nd Grand Cherokee. We really like it for travelling with 2 children but I would never want to pull a TT with it. It just doesn't do anything to spark the confidence. Have you thought about the Dodge Durango? I don't know the specs but I've been told they have a higher towing capacity than the GC and they are nearly the same vehicle.

Please see the link below

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f6...ler-93409.html

nbhybrid · 10-02-2014, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olivia

Our family with 2 kids would like to enjoy the camping trips. I think squeezing kids in a truck for 1000 miles might change their view on camping.

I understand you don't want a truck but any crew cab truck today will have more leg room and shoulder room than a GC or tourag ever had.

it isn't even close.

I think squeezing 2 kids in a Mid size Suv for 1000 miles might change their view.

As has been said above if you are determined to purchase a mid size Suv then I would choose a different trailer.

The numbers don't lie. A 23MB will weigh over 700 on the tongue. it is up
to you whether you believe them.

good luck

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