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First long towing trip

3K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  JustJeeping 
#1 ·
We took a trip from St. Louis to Panama City Beach last week. About 1600 miles roundtrip and towing about 1250 lbs., 3 adults, and luggage. The Cherokee got 19.5 mpg on the way down and 21.1 on the return. I didn't use cruise control, but faster downhill and slower uphill. The Cherokee did a great job. It spent a lot of time in 7th gear with occasional downshift or up shifts. On a few large hills, it would hit 5th gear, but pulled hard up the hill. All in all, I was very impressed.
 

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#4 ·
Towing break in:
I know the manual says 500 miles at no more than 50mph. Also no full throttle accelerations etc. during this mileage.
That is to let the gears settle in to the higher load without overheating the gears or burning the trans fluid.
 
#5 ·
My Jeep is the Latitude 4x4, 4.2l, tow package. I am contemplating a trailer purchase, dry weight of 2600# and GVWR of 3500#. Knowing how I load a trailer my estimate is I'll be towing at no more than 3200#. The dry hitch weight is 315# and I estimate my loaded hitch weight won't be over 400#. The trailer height is 9' and width is 7'. It looks like the weights will be ok for the Jeep but I'm wondering about the frontal area the trailer presents. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
 
#6 ·
I think short hauls you'd be ok. Longer hauls might be a problem. Sounds like you are thinking about getting an enclosed trailer, so wind drag will be very noticeable. I had about 135 lbs of tongue weight, plus luggage and 3 adults with no noticeable sag on the rear. I also have a V6 model.
 
#10 ·
What do you mean testing is under no load? How exactly would that work?
The only reason they put those on there is liability. If some person buys a new Jeep and pulls off the lot and puts whatever the max towing capacity is right off the bat, and then turns around and drives 95 mph crossed country and has a problem the dealer can point to that in the manual and say it isnt covered. You also aren't taking into account most axles are pre "broken in" from the factory.
 
#11 ·
What do you mean testing is under no load? How exactly would that work?
The only reason they put those on there is liability. If some person buys a new Jeep and pulls off the lot and puts whatever the max towing capacity is right off the bat, and then turns around and drives 95 mph crossed country and has a problem the dealer can point to that in the manual and say it isnt covered. You also aren't taking into account most axles are pre "broken in" from the factory.
First off testing under no load is normal driving if it is done at all.
Load is speed/weight/RPMs. They have a track they can drive on if they do a test.

Axles/transmission gears are not broken in 100%. Thus the break in requirements. A lot shorter these days than years ago. Thus towing break in requirements in addition to the initial break in.
Speed/weight/RPMs all generate heat. On gears, That is Transmission/Axle, damage can occur if excessive even once and you burn the fluid.
Your opinion is fine with me. Its your vehicle. I just choose to follow the break in to the letter as I have with the prior 3 Jeeps with Tow I have owned.:)
 
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