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Towing with Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

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    #1

    Towing with Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

    I'm looking at buying either a 20 or 22V in the spring some time, but first need to buy the SUV to pull it. I am currently looking at a '99 Grand Cherokee Limited model and am wondering if I will have any issues pulling the boat once I get it. I believe the vehicle has a Class III hitch on it, which the owner's manual says has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs, while a Class IV hitch would have a 6500 lb tow rating if there would be some way to swap it out. The Jeep has the 4.7L V8 and the QuadraTrac option for all time 4WD and the option to go 4 Lo.
    Besides pulling the boat around the local lakes, a few times each summer I will need to pull the boat for 4.5 hours to a lake house in the Northwoods of WI.
    Any insight on the issue will help with my decision.
    Tags: None
    #2
    Cas:

    I'm sure you have done your research. An empty 22V weighs in at about 3850 lbs. You load it up with a tower, speakers, gear for a weekend and gas and you're way past 4,000 lbs.

    I tow mine behind a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe with the Tow Package (Chevy's Vortec 5.7 325 HP / 315 ft-Lb torque, larger transmission cooler, larger radiator, Class IV hitch, self leveling rear shocks ...) and you can definitely tell it's back there.

    When shopping for a vehicle, make sure you're not looking at just the hitch and engine, but the transmission, suspension as well as other critical components

    Good luck!

    Saulo

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      #3
      You need a full size SUV. A boat this heavy needs a heavy truck to keep it stable. A big gust of wind or a emergency stop in a corner will toss a jeep around. After the trailer brakes lock up all the stoping power comes from the tow vehicle.

      My 2 cents, GIZMO
      "I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer."

      Comment

        #4
        SUV

        For what is it worth. I have pulled my 21I with both my 2000 Jeep grand cherokee with the V8 and tow package and my 2002 Tahoe with the 5.7 V8. The only difference I can feel is starting power. The trailer you get with the tige will probably have brakes and if so, you won't feel the difference while stopping. At least I haven't. I, personaly, think the Jeep would be just fine based on owning one and using it to pull my tige.

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          #5
          I have a 2003 21ir I have towed with a two door yukon and my power stroke. The biggest problem I have with a short wheel base vehicle is that you will get pulled all over the road and if the boat and trailer weigh more then your towing veheicle it makes it that much worse. I mean I can pull my boat with the HO jeeps, but I don't want to. If I had the option Id talk to people and see if maybe they will let you ride with them, or even drive it down a straight stretch of highway to see what each vehicle does with the boat. I know from towing from one side of the country to the other, that if you have the money, buy something bigger, you won't regret it. Towing a trailer all the way across the us with a six cylinder sucks!!

          What it all comes down to is what your willing to give up. I want the power to be able to get into traffic and also the power to not have to slow down to a crawl up hills. I want to be able to stop, even if the trailer brakes give out, and I also don't want to have to worry about my boat and trailer beating the tar out of my tow vehicle. That's why I went to the extreme and bought a diesel.

          I also tend to take mine on long trips(8 hours plus) so I wanted something that wouldn't give me any problems and it doesn't. Now if I'm just going to the local lake, yeah a jeep has towed it just fine.

          stepping off my soap box.

          dom
          Originally posted by G-MONEY
          It hurts me to say it but go OU but only for this weekend!!!!

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by smendez
            Cas:

            I'm sure you have done your research. An empty 22V weighs in at about 3850 lbs. You load it up with a tower, speakers, gear for a weekend and gas and you're way past 4,000 lbs.
            Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you supposed to factor in the weight of the trailer also?

            Comment

              #7
              Yeah, you have to figure the trailer in too. I think my tandem trailer is in the 1200 range. With that said, I think you are fine. A buddy has an explorer and he can take the 22v places, just don't plan on cruising too fast. The Jeep has good power... Make sure your hitch is upgraded though.

              Comment

                #8
                I used to own a 99 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8 and used it to tow a 2000 Crownline 225 (22ft long) Bowrider. The dry weight was listed at 3800 lbs, not including tandem axle trailer and gear. I towed extensively throughout the midwest in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Maryland. For the most part the Jeep performed extremely well. I never had a problem at any launch ramp launching or retreiving. The only minor issues that arose were: 1) over 70 mph the trailer would begin to fishtail a little due to the short and narrow wheel base of the Jeep; and 2) on some long steep grades (several miles at 5%) it would begin to bog down a little bit. Generally, I think you'll find that the Jeep will make a more than adequate tow vehicle. I used to tow on trips of 3 plus hours, and 6 plus hours on several occasions.

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