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Topic ClosedJeep Cherokee as tow vehicle

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Hinterlander View Drop Down
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Joined: 05 Apr 2015
Location: Northwestern Mi
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Jeep Cherokee as tow vehicle
    Posted: 26 Jan 2016 at 8:44pm
Yes, I tow a 178 with a 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk V6, factory tow package. Our first trip was about 3500 miles without a WDH and I will not do that again. Plenty of power with the Jeep, but the short WB made for a jerky ride. No problems with grades, but headwinds will cause that 9 speed to hunt between gears on flat terrain, so I locked into 5th gear at 2,700 RPM at about 62 MPH for the most comfortable drive. Our next long trip is in April and I will be using the 600 lb. E2 WDH. The Jeep has a very high receiver so you will need a drop shank, unless you have axle risers. Fuel economy on that trip averaged about 11.5, but the return trip my speed was a bit high at 65 mph. Our next TV will be a Ram 1500 Hemi.
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Joined: 26 Jul 2015
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jan 2016 at 9:26pm
I'm pretty new to this sport and will plead ignorance to WHD.
Please translate!
Walt & Lynne
2015 r-pod 177
08 F150 or 2014 Explorer
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jan 2016 at 9:41pm
Weight Distribution Hitch Smile
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Jose Escapodo View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2019 at 11:52am
We have a 2019 Rpod 180, 3000 lb , and just tested our 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with it. It pulls it pretty easily up the grades in Southern Oregon. These are typically no higher than 4000 feet though. The hawk, with its 9-speed transmission and 3.2 L engine and 4500 lb. rating and a WDH maintains 55 at 4000 rpm up the grades with power left over I think. I just don't go over 55 while towing. The major drawbacks I see are the small gas tank (16 gallons) and the fact that the fill is located on the passenger side, which I think could make for some interesting refueling adventures standing off head-on against other refuelers at a gas stop.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2019 at 3:46pm
We towed our 180 with the Cherokee Trailhawk with towing package.  Added the equalizer E2 and no problems towing up steep hills.  We mostly cruised on the highway between 55-60 and when there was a very smooth road we could even hit 70 without feeling a drag.  Of course with our Ram diesel we could literally do 80 and have passed trucks going up hills.  But the Cherokee was more than enough power to drive safely as long as you keep it 60 or under.  We had to buy a truck when we bought the 4600 lb Passport.
OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2019 at 6:28pm
Instead of I-70, take US 50. Less up and down mountain passes. I find less volatility being able to go the speed limit with accompanying traffic as opposed to being passed by faster traffic and large trucks.  Also, just took I-70 Denver to Vail last week -- the right lane is pretty chewed up and rough from the winter.  US-50 meets up with I-70 in Grand Junction, should that be important for travel west.  
Bob
2015 Chevy Colorado Z71
2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition
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Jose Escapodo View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2019 at 8:38am
US 50 is a beautiful road out of Carson City through the Great Basin and beyond heading East to Colorado and shouldn't be missed. There is a good reason it is known as the 'lonliest hiway in America' though. Being new to pods, and RV's in general, this makes me wonder how most people deal with refueling. As I mentioned, the Trailhawk, with its 16 gallon tank, would give me pause taking it down that without a couple jerry cans hanging off the back. So, at the risk of getting off topic (I guess fuel capability is part of a vehicle's tow capabilities though) , is this what most folks do? Convert the spare tire receiver to a gas caddy and throw the spare underneath maybe?There is still a LOT of empty (thankfully) territory out here in the West.
2018 Rpod180, 2019 Trailhawk,2019 Ram1500
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2019 at 9:27am
We have a 36 gallon tank in the F-150. Estimated range at fill up is > 700 miles. Of course not that far pulling the pod. Only downside is the big $$ number on the gas pump.  Shocked


bp
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2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2019 at 9:44am
When towing in the west (Wyoming and Colorado) I always carry an additional gas can just for emergencies. I have found that 2 x 5 gallon tanks are good enough, but put my wife at ease.
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2019 at 9:09am
We drove from Great Basin Ntl. Park to Dayton, NV [12 mi east of Carson City] and had no problem with getting gas along US 50.  We got gas in Ely, Eureka, Austin and Fallon.  The longest stretch is between Austin and Fallon and by the time we got to Fallon, the low fuel light had come on.  The first gas station on the east side of Fallon takes advantage of that fact and has prices a bit higher than another mile to the west.  Had we known it, we would have gone a little farther for the better prices.  

On long trips we make it a practice to carry extra fuel in 5 gallon gas cans.  Depending on where we're going we carry from 1 to 4 cans.  Having extra gas not only gives you peace of mind, but also helps to avoid very high gas prices.  Effectively, 4 gas cans doubles our range.  
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Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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