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Old 04-23-2015, 06:35 AM   #1
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Frontal Area

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that we are looking at purchasing indicates a maximum frontal area of 40 sq.ft. for the trailer. How do you measure this?
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Old 04-23-2015, 06:49 AM   #2
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Since most trailers are 8' wide it sounds like you may be limited to a pop-up unless they deduct the area already covered by the JEEP.
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Old 04-23-2015, 08:27 AM   #3
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Width multiplied by Height. So, 8 wide by 8 high = 64 Square feet of frontal area.
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Old 04-23-2015, 08:33 AM   #4
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Width multiplied by Height. So, 8 wide by 8 high = 64 Square feet of frontal area.

Yup. And I don't think you are suppose to take the Jeep into account.
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Old 04-23-2015, 09:15 AM   #5
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You can deduct the area of the jeep from the square footage of the front of the TT. I don't know how Jeep manuals read, but my Escape has the same limitation. But it reads, "If larger the vehicle may not be as efficient." I take that to mean it'll pull but it's gonna suck gas. Funny thing I get 12mpg towing my 3500 lbs Rv with the v6 escape and 8-9mpg towing with my V8 suburban. Go figure that one. I also get 12 mpg pulling a thousand pound landscaping trailer with almost no frontage. Depends on what you want to do. My OPINION is if staying close to home you'll be alright. A 550 mile jaunt....well, that's why I bought the suburban.
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Old 04-23-2015, 09:23 AM   #6
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But it reads, "If larger the vehicle may not be as efficient." I take that to mean it'll pull but it's gonna suck gas.
In part that's true, but it also means that it's going to be harder on your drive train, i.e. your transmission will run hotter. Heat is your transmissions enemy.
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Old 04-23-2015, 10:13 AM   #7
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Thanks for your input. You had also responded to my question on the 2007 Equinox with a 3500 towing limit. In short, you thought we would be okay but would be at our maximum and it wouldn't be much fun towing. I was thinking, hoping that the Laredo with a 5,000 towing capicity would do the trick that much better with a lot less concern. If the frontal area is a straight trailer calculation, then even the Larado V8 would not qualify as it is only rated for 60 sq.ft.. Thanks for your comments and any further commentary you may wish to offer.
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Old 04-23-2015, 01:22 PM   #8
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My Jeep Commander (same powertrain as Grand Cherokee) with hemi also has the 60 sqft frontal area limit, but I'd have no worries towing any Jayco hybrid.
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Old 04-23-2015, 05:06 PM   #9
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Jeep is a poor choice in most regards anyway..(ducking running) too short a wheel base too light..
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Old 04-23-2015, 09:55 PM   #10
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Ok I remember that. IDK much about Jeeps towing heavy loads. I would think with a 5000 lbs limit you'll be okay. That wind frontage is tough. My escape will only pull mine 62 mph comfortably. Its not the weight it's the wind resistance at speed. She was working HARD. IF your only doing 30- 50 miles a few a times a year, the Jeep and my Escape would be fine. But if you do long hauls or 3 times a month or other heavy use regularly, then maybe something a little bigger. I stumbled across a dirt cheap suburban(6500# tow capacity). I put about 1000 bucks into basically a big tune up and 2 tires and just hauled my camper 1900 miles. Ain't no way I'd done that with the Escape. But 30 miles to the beach for a 3 day weekend on flat land, I would use the escape in a heartbeat. (No mountains) If you get the Jeep definitely look into a transmission cooler if not equipped. About 60-70 bucks from Etrailer.com. if you can turn a wrench you can install one in about an hour or so. Like the other poster said. Heat is your transmission's enemy.
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Old 04-24-2015, 04:57 AM   #11
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I would question why anyone would refrain from installing a transmission oil cooler for any tow vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission if it does not already have one. Pulling any type of trailer is adding weight to the tow vehicles drive train. The transmission is going to work harder, along whith the rear end, and engine.

It amazes me how folks will change their engine oil more frequently (this is good), but will neglect to have the automatic transmission fluid flushed every 30K, along with its pan dropped, and a new filter. The rear differential oil should also be changed every 30K.
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