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Jeep Cherokee as tow vehicle

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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7381
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Topic: Jeep Cherokee as tow vehicle
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Subject: Jeep Cherokee as tow vehicle
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 1:17pm
Hello.

We have been very happy with our Jeep Grand Cherokee as a tow vehicle (7400 lb capacity), but need to 'downsize'. Any comments on the Jeep Cherokee (4500 lbs capacity) are appreciated. 

We are planning a cross country trip thru the mountains to California in May.



Replies:
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 4:54pm
I have pulled my 177 with my F150 (V8 Triton motor) and I loose about 3 miles a gallon. That truck only gets about 16 mpg with no trailer. I have also pulled my pod with my 2014 Explorer. In Mi. with generally flat terrain I was getting 12 mpg. and it did a fine job. A considerable decrease from the 23 mpg that we usually get. The truck pulled the pod with ease through the mountains of WV. I don't think the Explorer would have done very well. Just my experience.

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Walt & Lynne
2015 r-pod 177
08 F150 or 2014 Explorer
Pinckney,Mi


Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 5:49pm
I know many will chime in on this with lots of various stats, but I personally think that the easiest thing to do is to take the tow vehicle's rated tow capacity and divide it in half for a reasonable "real world" tow capacity.

For example, my Tacoma is rated for 6500lbs. I try to keep my loaded trailer weight around 3250lbs. or less for a minimally comfortable tow experience. I get 14mpg not towing and 11mpg towing (high altitude with hills.)

I don't think a vehicle rated that low would be advisable, but I'm sure others would disagree.



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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport


Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 5:53pm
I think that is pretty good advice.

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Walt & Lynne
2015 r-pod 177
08 F150 or 2014 Explorer
Pinckney,Mi


Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 6:53pm
Personnally, the longer wheelbase of the grand cherokee would be important.


Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 9:41pm
I agree with the advice of only towing half of actual tow capacity of the vehicle.  Works out better for the tow vehicle and safety. 

 As far as tow vehicle weight, it only matters in emergency steering. The R-Pod has it's own braking system, and if you have a good well dialed in brake controller, and appropriate sway control, then the weight of the R-Pod only counts against you when turning and hard braking. A heavier tow vehicle will resist jack knife better.


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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI


Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2016 at 12:52pm
Originally posted by ToolmanJohn

I agree with the advice of only towing half of actual tow capacity of the vehicle.  Works out better for the tow vehicle and safety. 

 As far as tow vehicle weight, it only matters in emergency steering. The R-Pod has it's own braking system, and if you have a good well dialed in brake controller, and appropriate sway control, then the weight of the R-Pod only counts against you when turning and hard braking. A heavier tow vehicle will resist jack knife better.


Half the rated towing capacity is nice but overkill, in opinion.  A comfortable margin of maybe a thousand pounds (still, that's arbitrary) is my rule of thumb.  If your tow capacity is 5000 lbs, try to keep your trailer under 4000, etc.  Again, that's not a hard rule.  There are a lot of factors that come into play.

I must be misunderstanding something about tow weight only mattering in emergency steering.  You aren't saying that I can tow a 5000 lb trailer across the Rockies as easily as I can a 2000 lb trailer, are you, as long as I don't get into any emergency steering situations??

TT


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2010 176
FJ Cruiser


Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2016 at 4:23pm
You can tow a 5000 pound travel trailer across the Rockies as easily as a 2000 pound trailer, it depends on your tow vehicle.

In a emergency (RAIN, 50 mph, turning, SUDDEN EMERGENCY BRAKING=Jacknife!!) , which is better, a lighter tow vehicle, or a heavier one??? Which would you choose , a Grand Cherokee, or a Cherokee? One is a lot lighter than the other. Tail wagging the dog situation.

 The OP was "downsizing" the tow vehicle. There are other considerations besides "can it tow 2000-5000 pounds" through the Rockies.



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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI


Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2016 at 9:34pm
As usual, I asked the right question in the wrong way.

Our V8 Grand Cherokee (360 hp & 390 lb-ft torque) towed our 171 as if it wasn't there on our last trip to California. My wife has mild vision problems and so we are downsizing. The Cherokee has 270 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, which I believe is adequate but nothing like the V8 of course. However the Cherokee also has a built-in sway control that acts thru the brakes to head off problems. 

Has anyone had experience with the Cherokee and it's V6 with this sway control??


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2016 at 10:38pm
Not with a Cherokee, but with a 2016 Ford Escape SE with factory tow package and 2L Ecoboost 4 cyl. engine. It is rated at 3,500 lbs. We recently completed our first big trip (North Carolina to Nevada and Arizona and return) with no problems, even when we did have what could be termed as an emergency braking situation.

We were turning on to an off ramp at high speed, not knowing it was a tight loop. I hit the brakes hard. Between the trailer's brakes and the stability control teamed with a good 4-way sway control hitch, we had no problem with this maneuver.

We are closer to the maximum towing capacity with our Escape than you would be with the Cherokee. I don't think you would have any problems. The Escape's engine is rated at 240 hp and 270 lb-ft torque, which seems to be the exact opposite of the Cherokee's specs. However, those specs require use of premium gasoline, which is what Ford recommends when towing.

Do expect a significant difference in mileage between towing and not towing. We certainly did.


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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: Hinterlander
Date 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.


Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2016 at 9:26pm
I'm pretty new to this sport and will plead ignorance to WHD.
Please translate!

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Walt & Lynne
2015 r-pod 177
08 F150 or 2014 Explorer
Pinckney,Mi


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2016 at 9:41pm
Weight Distribution Hitch Smile

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: Jose Escapodo
Date 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.


Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date 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.


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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel


Posted By: Blender Bob
Date 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.  

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Bob
2015 Chevy Colorado Z71
2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition


Posted By: Jose Escapodo
Date 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.


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2018 Rpod180, 2019 Trailhawk,2019 Ram1500


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date 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




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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: riotkayak284
Date 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.


Posted By: lostagain
Date 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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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost



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