towing with jeep grand cherokee

[jeeper182]

I have a Jayflight 19RD (25 feet hitch to bumper)that I have been towing with a Ford F150. I may have to trade the ford & get a grand Cherokee. The weight of the 19rd is 3715 and the Jeep is rated for 7000 pounds. I have an equalizer hitch, but I worry that the Jeep's short wheelbase (114) will be a problem. What do you all think?

Thanks, Chris

[DocBrown]

First that trailer doesn't weigh 3715#. Not loaded for camping. It has a GVWR of 6000# and loaded to camp you'll be far closer to that 6000# than the 3715#. Jayco lists the "dry weight" of that trailer at 4030# so I'm not clear where the 3715# is coming from. And dry weight is a fictional number, what it weighs before options are installed.

https://www.jayco.com/tools/archive/...y-flight/19rd/

What's the payload of the Jeep? You may run out of payload well before you run out of towing capacity. Are you locked into something? Any reason you would not consider another PU?

[Hazman65]

I tow with a diesel equipped Grand Cherokee with a trailer similar in size. I was very concerned about sway with the shorter wheel base and the fact that I am running very close to payload (that is the more important number for me and the Diesel engine is heavy). The dealer set my wdh up very well and I have had absolutely no issues with sway and have towed in the mountains during a thunderstorm. I think the hitch set up is key. I switched to heavy duty brakes and light truck tires on the Jeep. My trailer also has wide stance axles that are supposed to help but I am not sure how much. My 2 cents for what it’s worth.

[Rustic Eagle]

Chris,

We all have different loading habits and towing expectations..., but based on the limited information provided I'd stay with the F-150.

Most vehicles today come with nice high 'Tow Ratings', but that doesn't mean the "available" cargo capacity for supporting a TT's loaded tongue weight and WDH weight is equally adequate.

Bob

[bono]

Grand Cherokee will tow better than F150 (lower center of gravity, short rear overhang, independent suspension). I agree with Hazman65 - the hitch setup is the key. Looking at how people are towing, most people do not understand this. Then you read over the forums that half ton cannot tow anything and 3/4 ton is needed to tow any trailer.

Your trailer is fairly small and light. You should be careful not to go over axle and tires limits. Personally, I do not think payload is that important - just my opinion.

For completeness, I am towing 33' trailer with BMW X5. 20k towing miles. Tows like on rails. I am using ProPride hitch. Super stable.

https://youtu.be/slIqVsGuIn8