towing a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[RonBonoSr]

I have a 2016 Winnebago Vista LX with the Ford V10 and currently tow a 2015 Jeep Cherokee which weighs about 3,600 lbs. I am thinking about purchasing a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee that weighs about 1,000 lbs. more. Any possible issues? 4,625 lbs.is that to close to the max. wt. of 5,000 lbs ?

[creativepart]

We tow a Lincoln MKX which weighs ~4,400 lbs without any problems. Our MH has the same 5,000 lb rated hitch and engine. We have the 6-sp transmission and are 37’ long.

[YGoHom]

Something else to consider is "Death Wobble". Wranglers are known for it when lifted and big tires, but the newer JGC apparently has a similar wobble due to the power steering not engaged when towing. There's a very long thread on IRV2 discussing the fix. My dad just went through this with his 2018 Grand Cherokee last year.

[NXR]

FCA developed a fix for the Wrangler that involved a larger steering damper.

https://www.tflcar.com/2019/08/jeep-...wobble-report/

Are you certain the battery must be disconnected prior to towing a Grand Cherokee? Non-Jeeps have had a similar problem caused by the car battery draining while being towed and the electric power steering system losing power. Their fix was to run a battery charge line from the motorhome to the car.

I'm actually wrestling with the same question you asked. If we do decide to go with a GC instead of a Wrangler I may have the hitch upgraded to a 7,500 lb unit just for more safety margin. I'll still have the 5,000 lb limit for actual towing.

I'll also ask the company doing the work to provide attach points for the safety chains and breakaway cable that are anchored to the frame independently of the hitch.

I saw a few pictures of motorhomes where the hitch tore almost completely loose. Had it broken off totally at highway speeds with the breakaway cable still attached <shudder>.

Even just moving the breakaway cable attach point to the frame instead of the hitch would help. Some people have added a steel cable loop around the frame to relocate just the breakaway cable attach point. That would be better than doing nothing.

Ray

[RonBonoSr]

Originally Posted by RonBonoSr

I have a 2016 Winnebago Vista LX with the Ford V10 and currently tow a 2015 Jeep Cherokee which weighs about 3,600 lbs. I am thinking about purchasing a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee that weighs about 1,000 lbs. more. Any possible issues? 4,625 lbs.is that to close to the max. wt. of 5,000 lbs ?

I decided to purchase a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk instead of the Grand Cherokee. Reasons being: the Grand is about 400 Lbs. heavier, needs to have negative battery terminal disconnected when dinghy towing and has 18 inch tires on the Limited Edition. So far, I love my 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. You need the Trailhawk model to dinghy tow your toad.

[mikee409]

We had a 2012 Grand one time and the owners book said to disconnect the drive shaft to tow with a dolly and not to flat tow or tranny damage would occur.
Traded it off for a Wrangler. They are meant to be towed.
Mikee

[HappiHenri]

You are pushing the limit - but also do not forget about the weight of your tow receiver as well as 1/2 the weight of the actual towbar. (1/2 supported by the receiver, 1/2 by the toad front mounting plate.)

Not only that - on our unit the tow receiver is a Roadmaster split receiver. In the top receiver mount I installed a bike rack carrying 2 bikes. In the lower receiver I mount the tow bar. Point is - I had to consider the additional weight of the split receiver + weight of bike rack + weight of 2 bikes + 1/2 towbar weight. It adds up. Just be aware.

[RonBonoSr]

Thanks for your reply. It only strengthens my belief that the 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk ,which weighs about 400 lbs less than the Grand Cherokee , is a better choice for dinghy towing in my situation. Recently, I purchased a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk as my dinghy vehicle. Will keep you posted on my experience.

[corjaguar]

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for me too..........

[nailbender]

I've got a 2018 jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and it tows great behind my Spirit 22M,no wobble at 72 mph