EPA Economy, miles per gallon
city/highway/average 17/21/18
0-60 MPH 11 seconds
Payload 1150 pounds
Towing Capacity 5000 pounds
I have a 1 1/4 inch hitch with a 3500LB tow weight and a 300LB tongue weight. I have added a leaf spring in the rear which adds about 2 inches of lift.
I dont think the TV itself will have any problems. As far as the hitch goes, you are describing a Class II hitch. Check out the Reese hitch website. They have a chart to help you determine what you need.
The tongue weight on a TT should be 10-15% of the trailer's total weight. If you loaded up to the max trailer GVWR of 2995 pounds, you could theoretically have a hitch weight of 15% of that or 450 pounds. To be conservative, you might want to increase to a Class III hitch (500 lb max), but with careful loading, you'll probably be able to stay around 300 pounds. For example, if your fresh water tank is in front of the axles, you can tow with it empty. If it is behind the axles, you can tow full. Some people load up then check their tongue weight using regular bathroom scales. This could help you decide whether a new hich will be needed.
I miss my Cherokee, but I do have a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 liter motor. I really wish that Jeep had not stopped producing that motor. The 4.0 is one of the toughest and best towing engines around. You will be fine weight wise towing that size pop up, but I would get rid of 1 1/4 hitch and reciever and upgrade to a 2 inch hitch and reciever. Once you get the trailer packed with all the goodies for the weekend trip you will be real close to the 3500 pound capacity of your current hitch. Good luck! Brian
Thanks everybody!
Brian
2006 Jayco 1206 PUP
2003 Grand Cherokee TV
Thanks for the input. I'm going to contact Jeep and find out exactly what my vehicle is capable of towing. I think I'm going to be purchasing this PUP. I plan on buying a new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon in the next year or so which should be more than enough to tow it.
Definitely need the 2" hitch, the 1 and 1/4 is not good enough.
That PUP is pretty heavy for the Jeep. You would probably be ok but it's a bit close for my comfort to be honest. Also be sure you have electric breaks on the PUP because at that weight you need it.
What stats you need on the Jeep are the specific ratings like GCWR and such to really figure out for sure you're ok.
* This post was
edited 07/07/09 11:17am by bonscott *
My experience has been, with tow vehicles, is the closer you get to the upper rated limit, the inverse satisfaction and comfort level you will have while towing. Having a TV that just meets or barely exceeds the needs of the trailer is a recipe for disappointment and potentially worse than that. Buy the trailer, but certainly pay close attention when are buying the next TV.
Myself, The Boss, and two wanna-be Bosses
2006 Jayco 1007 Yum...nature is tasty.
A couple of things to keep in mind. when replacing the 1-1/4 ball wtha a 2" ball check the shank size. Most standard 1-1/4 drawbars use an 3/4" hole to mount the drawbar. They do make 2" balls with 3/4" shanks, but 1" is standard.
Second is the dry weight to gross vehicle weight limit. It shows only around 400 pounds. Between propane, awning, spare tire, battery and A/C you can easily use it up. We ALWAYS advice getting a true scale weight at the dealer to find out the trailers actual weight.
I say this because we have had many folks start out overloaded without even their stuff in the camper and experienced many flats and blow outs.
KCollucci wrote: I plan on buying a new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon in the next year or so which should be more than enough to tow it.
I'd be cautious here. The Jeep Wrangler isn't equipped to handle the same weight trailer as your Grand Cherokee. The Wrangler only supports a Class 2 hitch. I'd get an actual tongue weight to see where you really are. My guess is the trailer will be too much weight (when loaded) for a Wrangler. And as Mike4947 pointed out, the trailer has very little carrying capacity (we have ~700# and have to be very careful about what we load so as to not overload the trailer). Fill that 16 gallon water tank and your water heater, and there goes ~180# of carrying capacity right there.
Again, weigh the trailer as it is now, both for axle weight and tongue weight.
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