To tow or not to tow

[Richard Chadwell]

I just bought a 2000 shasta 25 ft trailor, weight 4760 empty and could weigh 6200 loaded and I want to tow it with my 2006 jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.7 lit. V8. I read the owners manual and it says it will handle the load if the jeep is equiped with the group IV tow prep package, it also says if you don't know if you have this then call the dealer well I called two and no one could help with my problem. If anyone has any info. on this problem or has towed with this type of truck please let me know. Thankyou for any help.

Rick

[Pat Daly]

Trailer Life's 2006 Towing Guide states their rating of your Grand Cherokee, 4.7 as 6,500 MAXIMUM. Trailer Life is the "go to" publication for towing capacity of modern vehicles. We cannot endorse it or the towing capacity so it's up to you... but it's "gettin close" to MAXIMUM.
Heres' their link http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Trailer-Life-...

I personall never go over 80 percent of recommended tow ratings, would never tow this over 60 mph and cross winds could be a BIG problem given that the trailer is actually larger than the tow vehicle. Mountains? Hmm, I'd definately get a good sam warranty or the like for the transmission and unlimited towing for both the GC and the trailer. Also, anti-sway bar and load levelers on the hitch would be a MUST... at least for me.
Tow prep. Any dealer can give you this based on the VIN number of your Grand Cherokee.
If it has a FACTORY hitch and 7 pin wiring chances are that you've got a proper tow package with transmission cooler, etc., but the VIN through the dealer can confirm this for you.
We've always liked the Grand Cherokees. Lots of 4wd dry campin opportunities with them!

Anytime you tow, as you probably know, you can expect some breakdowns due mostly to overheating and tire blow outs.

Let us know how it works out Richard and what you find out about your trailer and tow rig.

[James McDaniel]

   I am a truck driver of 33 years , you can get in to big trouble fast , your trailer brakes have to be functional, because they will not handle the load if they are not , so most importaintaly  make sure your brakes on both vehicle are in good order, weight distribution make sure most of your weight in the trailer is in front of the trailer axals  , if not it will sway and pull you off the the black top since it does weight twice as much as the pulling vehicle. 

[James McDaniel]

  I have a 66 ford 100 with overload springs , and i bought a forty foot trailer park model with 2 tip outs , so it handles it weight wise , and when i went up the hill with no problem, a 10% hill up and down i was confident , but the rule of thumb in trucking is go down in the same gear you went up or one lower , if you have automatic it would be the same gear you went up in, because you are relying on your brakes only.  f100 brakes didn't handle it and i though it was all over , i got to the bottom wondering how the engine didn't blow , because i had it way over rpms , i hired a 1 ton truck to take it the rest of the way. lol, and i am a profestional , not a good speller . lmao.

[James McDaniel]

 I have had the hopeless feeling of how am i going to slop this vehicle before and still not half way down the hill yet, not a good feeling , crawl down the  hill let every one around when you can, they may give you the 1 finger salute when they go around but at least you will make it safely. lol

[Richard Chadwell]

Thankyou everyone for replying to my post, I have taken all your advice and have decided to trade the jeep in for a bigger truck next year, I have added trailer brakes, load bars, and anti sway bar to my towing package and will only tow the trailer local untel I can find a truck that I want. I think the jeep will handle short local trips at speeds around 50 MPH on state roads to the lake about 15 miles from home and no hills.

Thanks again Rick

[Pat Daly]

Phew, now I can sleep better. You made the right choice my friend.  

[stan franzone]

personally, you did good, cause the last thing anyone needs is to read about you and family having any trouble. good luck and keep rv`n

[Richard Chadwell]

Pat & Stan

Thankyou both for your kind words and thoughts.

Rick