Towing with a Jeep Cherokee 3.0 diesel
Hey Guys
I know there have been several threads on Jeeps and their towing ability but none of the threads have touched on my query.
I am looking at the latest model Jeep diesel to replace my petrol cruiser. Its not a matter of economy, I don't do enough kms for the consumption of the Cruiser to make a real difference. Its more the torque on offer and the ease of towing with a diesel that I am interested in. However, when I look at the specs it says that the jeep is rated to 3,500kgs but for towing over 2,268 kgs, you need a weight distribution hitch. I have 180kgs on the ball, Jeep specs say up to 350kgs subject to operating conditions. What I dont understand is if I have only 180 kgs on the ball which is approx half of the max ball weight allowed why do I need a weight distribution hitch ? I though that this type of hitch was designed to reduce the weight on the rear of the vehicle ie the ball ?
I dont have any problems like this with the Cruiser and I have just come back from Parkside after having a look at their 600lb Hayman Reece weight distribution hitch. Thats a piece of gear I can tell you and its doesnt come cheap, nearly $1k on top of the price of the towbar itself. I dont really want to spend this money if I dont have to and to be frank it looks rather cumbersome on the back.
So to all those Jeep owners out there . . . . how heavy are the boats that you tow, what is the weight on the ball and do you have weight distribution hitches fitted. If you dont and you have a healthy weight on the ball does the Jeep travel level or does it sag in the bum and reduce your front tyre footprint thus creating potential braking and steering issues.
Appreciate any and all feedback as looking to decide whether it should be Jeep or another Cruiser.
Cheers in advance.
Ryan C
Posts: 1575
Date Joined: 08/07/10
Jeep
hi mate ive got a 2012 limited 3.0 diesel(85ks in 2 years no issues) ands a heavy (lots of 6mm ali) 8.2 m boat and I couldn't be happier with the jeep and I haven't got any load levelling equip in it. boat on trailer weighs 3.3 tonne wiothout fuel or gear.(and I had a 2007 v8 100 series before the jeep for comparison)
Ryan C
Posts: 1575
Date Joined: 08/07/10
suspension
being airbag suspension they never sag no matter what weight is on the ball,and my boat has a very heavy bow for an ali.
Lastchance
Posts: 1272
Date Joined: 02/02/09
I'm running almost the
I'm running almost the identical car/boat combination now, if you don't mind me asking, what sort of economy do you get with the jeep towing at say 80kmh?
Daisy
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
not sure on tehe weight on
not sure on tehe weight on the ball, but lots. boat is pushing 3.5T loaded. got the MY2014 limited and it tows it no worries. so far been back from albany, up and back to jurien and up and back to exmouth.
i have sent you a text of the car with the boat on it. suspension is self levelling but it definitely sags when you hitch it up. after about 50m driving you are level again. tow bar is the 3500kg rated one supplied by the dealer. mine doesn't have air suspension, you need the top model or choose quadra lift as an option.
Cruise Control
Posts: 970
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Cheers guys - I found this on
Cheers guys - I found this on the net. Note the comment in red which is stated twice - Chrysler requires a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) for towing loads which exceed 2268-2270kg.
I dont know whether I should be worried about this but it could introduce insurance issues in the event of a trailer accident ?
http://www.goseeaustralia.com.au/article/843/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee_Laredo_4x4_diesel_instills_confidence_1st_in_Go_See_series_on_extended_Jayco_Sterling_caravan_and_tow_tug_evaluations/
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
My Jeep MY2012 At one stage
My Jeep MY2012
At one stage all the Jeep people were saying you shouldnt use a WDH because of the Jeeps sway control system but now it seems they say you should. i will read up on it more later.
In terms of Towball weight it as Follows(operating conditions)
up to 3 occupants with luggage max 350kg
4 occupants with luggage max 297kg
5 occupants with luggage max 227kg
Just means you cant have too much gear in the back on the jeep if you have a full 350kgs.
I have towed my boat seriously loaded over 3t with about 300kgs towball weight and it's a breeze. I do have QL and its the best thing ever, no sag ever and perfect ride height all the time. I dont use WDH and never had any levelling or trailer sway problems.
Ps i also own a 200 series TTD and i tow with my Jeep, enough said!
Vin
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Have a look thru your Cruiser
Have a look thru your Cruiser handbook and I think you will find similar in there, its in my 200 series handbook as recommended or "should", I take it as not essential or it would say "must"
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
semi related - what's the
semi related - what's the easiest way to check the towball weight?
Cruise Control
Posts: 970
Date Joined: 03/11/10
You can use a load cell (as
You can use a load cell (as I did} and simply hookup to the chains and lift OR I am told that you can weigh boat hooked up to car with car off weighbridge and then weigh boat on weighbridge not hooked up. Difference is ball weight
wagyl
Posts: 218
Date Joined: 08/03/09
Jeep gc my2014 laredo v6 diesel
I tow a 2.2T boat no problems and accelerated up to 130km/h on the highway. Load is level but don't know the weight on the towbar but certainly can't lift it. Fuel consumption about 18l/100km at 100k/hr but drop it back to 95k/hr and about 15/16k/hr. Had a Paj at 147kwh and this car beats the daylights out of it. Most impressed I have only had the car 3 months. Can't vouch for its long term reliability but it is like a car to drive instead on a truck.
hayden
Posts: 164
Date Joined: 10/01/10
Hi mate I have the my14
Hi mate I have the my14 model limeted in desiel and I am up in coral bay ATM towed about 1350 kegs up here and I tell you I am happy as hell with the jeep will not by any other car it went so well never went over 13.1 ltrs at all in the hole trip and I have no extra features on mine
defently have a good look at them and when you up here mate happy tobput your boat on me car and see how you think
Fuzz
Posts: 265
Date Joined: 06/11/13
2014 cherokee
Voted 4wd of the year, need i say anymore. Love mine/ the missos. Has got tonnes of balls well worth every penny. Would recommend it anyday over an overpriced boring toyota.
"you can catch all sorts in bed, BUT you can't catch FISH !"
Browndog
Posts: 581
Date Joined: 10/04/12
Jeep
Pretty sure my Jeep could tow Rottnest if required....
My boat is under 1T, but have towed trailers around 2.5T and couldn't tell the difference. Bog standard 3.0 poverty pack Laredo. Sometimes have to check in mirror to make sure the trailer is still on....
BD
iana
Posts: 652
Date Joined: 21/09/09
Was told about this, this week.
Had a new towbar fitted to a new Mazda ute at work. The Guy that fitted it (Reece Hitch) said that the vehicle could tow 3.5 T, but without a weight distribution hitch was restricted to 1600kg. Also said that applied to all vehicles, and most people were towing illegally. Now that is not what I am saying, that is from the tow bar supplier. I would say its about getting the weight back over the front wheels, and its not about going, but stopping.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
I dont have my 200 handbook
I dont have my 200 handbook here but I believe from memory that it says Toyota "recommend" the use of..
There is no law that says you have to use a WDH unless I suppose the manufacturer says you "must" use one.
Regarding the dual cabs, I recall someone here pointing out about the tow rating being affected by the GVM and that to tow 3.5T would virtually require a maximum of 1 or 2 occupants to stay within the rating of the tug itself?
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
iana
Posts: 652
Date Joined: 21/09/09
I didn't belive it, but I had a surf on the net.
I didn't belive it, but I had a surf on the net just now, seems there are warranty problems galore, and suggest reading this page http://www.trucktestdigest.com/TTDfeatureTrailerTowingIllegally.htm
Just gets worse!
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Yep always been a issue, but
Yep always been a issue, but for $600 just get one if you need one !
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Ianna thats a US publication
Ianna thats a US publication and it makes reference to US laws....
Cruise Control
Posts: 970
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Updated Information
OK - after much searching and speaking to DOT, Jeep and a few others I feel I can confidently say that there is no legal requirement to use a WDH in WA. Therefore there should be no insurance issues. However, that may not be the case with any warranty claim with Jeep (or Toyota or anyone else) that can be linked to running over 2268 kgs. What those issues might be I cant say but you can guarantee they they will wiggle if they can !
Note that if you are driving up the road with the bum of your vehicle dragging and your headlights pointed at the sky and you got pulled over by Mr Plod you could almost guarantee that you would be on a set of scales pretty quick to check for overloading.
cheers