Tow with Jeep Grand Cherokee 6-cylinder
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Topic: Tow with Jeep Grand Cherokee 6-cylinder
Posted By: OHIOJJ
Subject: Tow with Jeep Grand Cherokee 6-cylinder
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 1:05pm
| Can I tow an Rpod with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 cyliner - no tow package. Jeep manual says tow capacity 3500. I already have a hitch rated at 5000 and a 4 pin connector. Called Jeep, they said system would need reprogrammed for 7 pin installation--looking at $1000!!! Can't afford that. What do I need to safely tow the Rpod? Help please!! |
Replies:
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 1:22pm
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We towed our 171 with our dodge caravan the first year... The only problem was we went out to Az. and had 35 mile hr. winds coming at us most of the way .. We could only go 45-50 miles hr. But if we stayed local we would not have a problem ...So we traded in for a Jeep Grand Cherokee 8 cyliner w/ hemi...Pulls like a deam....We spend 5 wks out in Az. and plan on going out thru Idahoe and Wa. spend a little time at a few State Parks... Terrri ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 1:22pm
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------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 1:33pm
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I don't know about any reprograming that would be needed, but I don't own a Jeep. Can you tow? Probably. In that mean, I doubt your jeep will snap in half, or die. Should you? No. Without the 7 pin connector, no brakes on the trailer. Bad. It's not one of those things where it's "one of the above". You need the proper hitch, connector and tow rating. On most vehicles, they can be changed/added, but sometimes it's not cost effective. On some, the tow package may be added after delivery, we have friends with a Honda Pilot who did it. It was about $1k for transcooler and hitch and some other stuff. Was worth it to them. I would think your best bet for a good answer would be a Jeep forum. There would be a much better chance of finding someone who has had to deal with the problem before. To safely pull the pod based only on the info given, you need a different TV. It would help to know what year, engine and options are on the truck now.. Plus which Pod you have, there is a bit of weight difference between models. ------------- |
Posted By: OHIOJJ
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 2:18pm
| Thanks for responding. I have a 2010 172 rpod. My jeep is a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 cylinder with a hitch and 4 plug added. Was looking to go up to a 7 pin for the rpod. |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 2:47pm
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I have the 09 Liberty which has the same 6 cyl enginge 3.7L I think. If you are handy at all you can install your own 7 pin. I did mine $35 for a 4 pin the 7 pin converter plug and a break module. If you go with a wireless break module like this one
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90250.html - http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90250.html you don't even have to do any wireing. The only thing you would not have is the connection to charge the RV battery from the TV and you could wire that in if you wanted to. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 4:20pm
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Ditto what Sean said. Its not a difficult - or expensive - job. If your vehicle has separate brake and turn signals you'll need a converter/combiner like this one (link below). Make sure the one you buy can handle LED lights, some of them can't, and will say so! The link I made below doesn't say if it can or not.
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Curt/56146.html - http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Curt/56146.html
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: poder
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2012 at 12:31am
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I have towed my 174 with my jeep wrangle
it has a 6cly. thanks
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Posted By: elko.mike
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2012 at 8:41am
To tow safely (and according to statute as I understand it) will will need the break controller and a 7-pin connector; you may need a weight distribution hitch. If there is a friendly RV dealer nearby, I would drive your Jeep over there and ask them. I was quoted a little less than $400 to install engine controller, wiring, and 7-pin connector in a Dodge Dakota. As I recall it was about $250 for the parts and 2 hours labor at $75 per hour. ------------- Mike, Linda & Doxies 2013 Hood River Edition r-pod 171 Tow Vehicles: 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 (Linda's) and a 2003 Dodge Dakota (Mike's fishing truck) |
Posted By: dcrispin1
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2012 at 3:32pm
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a trailer shop or RV dealer with a shop can usually convert you to a 7 pin, with charging wire (8Guage) and brake controller installed for under $250. Dont go to a jeep "stealership" for that kind of work. I got a $1000 quote from jeep to do my 2012 and a local RV dealer did it for $250 and I got the brake controller mounted exactly where I wanted it. Has worked perfectly for 6 months now. did the same on my previous 2008 jeep and it was perfect for a year before trading it in. |
Posted By: KayakkrazyUP
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2012 at 10:39pm
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We bought a used 2011 R-Pod 177 and 2012 Grand Cherokee (6 cyl) this spring. Excellent TV, tho we have not yet traveled in the Rockies. In the Upper Peninsula getting 14mpg.
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Posted By: sammycamper
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 9:25pm
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Like Techntrek said, all you need is that brake controller, the right connector, and you're good to go. No need for a (pain in the neck) weight distribution hitch, especially with a single axle R-Pod.
Sam
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