Camper recommendation(s), V6 GC

brettlongtrumpet · Dec 9, 2021

Hi Everyone,

I've read a bunch on this forum regarding towing with V6 Grand Cherokee, and would appreciate any advice on a possible camper purchase. We are looking at a 2019 E-Pro camper (2019 Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E19QB specs and literature guide).

I have the factory tow package on a 2021 GC, and will obviously have WDH and add trailer brake controller (the harness came with the tow package). If I've done my math correctly, I think this trailer fits within all specs comfortably, but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks if you can reply.
Brett

Campfamily · Dec 9, 2021

That's a nice trailer. I'd think you'd be fine with that behind your GC. You might ask if you can take a test tow.

My only concern isn't related to whether you can tow it, but to the trailer itself. The weight carrying capacity is very low, under 800 lbs. Once you add a battery or batteries, propane, some water (impossible to completely drain the tanks, so you'll always have a few gallons), your WDH, camping supplies (chocks, pads, chairs, grill, etc), food, personal things (clothes, jackets, hiking boots, etc), I think you'll be exceeding that total pretty quick. Also note that none of the published weights is really accurate, every RV I've ever looked at weighs more (by about 5-10%) than the brochure published weight. Assuming you're looking at a used unit, find the weight sticker (usually on the inside of the lower kitchen cabinet door) for the actual weight of the unit you're looking at. Better yet, on your test tow, take it to a scale and get a real weight.

But, bottom line, your GC should tow that fine, so long as you don't overload it.

Good luck, and be sure to come back and let us know what you decide.

Keith

WK2-Overland · Dec 9, 2021

I've been looking at trailers like this for months, and this one fits the bill for what I've been looking for almost perfectly! You have good taste

Like Campfamily said, I don't think you'll have any issues with your jeep towing it. I tow a 3600lb boat+trailer with my V6 without the factory tow package (so I'm basically maxing out my tow weight rating), and it has been working great. The V6 is plenty powerful (the term V6 gets a bad rap because historically they were much less powerful than their V8 counterparts, but the 3.6 pentastar is no slouch, it's every bit powerful as most V8's were a decade ago)

macmac · Dec 9, 2021

WK2-Overland said:
I've been looking at trailers like this for months, and this one fits the bill for what I've been looking for almost perfectly! You have good taste
Like Campfamily said, I don't think you'll have any issues with your jeep towing it. I tow a 3600lb boat+trailer with my V6 without the factory tow package (so I'm basically maxing out my tow weight rating), and it has been working great. The V6 is plenty powerful (the term V6 gets a bad rap because historically they were much less powerful than their V8 counterparts, but the 3.6 pentastar is no slouch, it's every bit powerful as most V8's were a decade ago)

great looking Jeep.

Jim_in_PA · Dec 9, 2021

The 19-21' size is a "sweet spot" for mid-size SUVs that are towing capable like the JGC. That one seems like a nice product.

brettlongtrumpet · Dec 10, 2021

Campfamily said:
That's a nice trailer. I'd think you'd be fine with that behind your GC. You might ask if you can take a test tow.

My only concern isn't related to whether you can tow it, but to the trailer itself. The weight carrying capacity is very low, under 800 lbs. Once you add a battery or batteries, propane, some water (impossible to completely drain the tanks, so you'll always have a few gallons), your WDH, camping supplies (chocks, pads, chairs, grill, etc), food, personal things (clothes, jackets, hiking boots, etc), I think you'll be exceeding that total pretty quick. Also note that none of the published weights is really accurate, every RV I've ever looked at weighs more (by about 5-10%) than the brochure published weight. Assuming you're looking at a used unit, find the weight sticker (usually on the inside of the lower kitchen cabinet door) for the actual weight of the unit you're looking at. Better yet, on your test tow, take it to a scale and get a real weight.

But, bottom line, your GC should tow that fine, so long as you don't overload it.

Good luck, and be sure to come back and let us know what you decide.

Keith

Thanks for pointing that out. It seems most of the single axle trailers under 3300 lbs are around 700-1000 lb carrying capacity, and I don’t want to risk going to a heavier, two axle trailer. Do you know if there’s a chart anywhere that lists the “most often packed” items and typical weights? I’m having difficulty trying to figure all this out without actually having the items and weighing everything myself!

brettlongtrumpet · Dec 10, 2021

Jim_in_PA said:
The 19-21' size is a "sweet spot" for mid-size SUVs that are towing capable like the JGC. That one seems like a nice product.

Jim, does a wdh shift weight from the hitch back onto the axle of the trailer, and would that weight then count against the cargo carrying capacity? I know I ultimately need go to scales for REAL weights, but I’m trying to avoid any surprises before making a purchase.

Campfamily · Dec 10, 2021

brettlongtrumpet said:
Jim, does a wdh shift weight from the hitch back onto the axle of the trailer, and would that weight then count against the cargo carrying capacity? I know I ultimately need go to scales for REAL weights, but I’m trying to avoid any surprises before making a purchase.

A WDH will primarily shift tongue weight from the rear axle to the front axle of the tow vehicle. You should factor the entire tongue weight of the trailer into the cargo carrying capacity of the tow vehicle, including the weight of the WDH (since it is hanging off of the back of the tow vehicle). A small amount will shift back to the trailer axle, but it is very small, and can usually be neglected.

Keith

mmacgilli · Dec 10, 2021

You should have no problem. We regularly towed Apex Ultra-Lite 215RBK Travel Trailers by Coachmen RV with our 2017 JGC Overland for the past 3 years. Setup was a Husky WDH with 1000 lb bars, dual sway bar. Coming from a single axle we liked the dual as it tracked better on the highway.

Jim_in_PA · Dec 10, 2021

brettlongtrumpet said:
Jim, does a wdh shift weight from the hitch back onto the axle of the trailer, and would that weight then count against the cargo carrying capacity? I know I ultimately need go to scales for REAL weights, but I’m trying to avoid any surprises before making a purchase.

No. A WDH primarily redistributes tongue weight from the rear axle to the front axle of the tow vehicle to maintain proper balance for steering and braking. If the front end gets light, it gets really scary. I know that for a fact from personal stupid...err...experience.

BTW, keep in mind that your tongue weight and WDH weight also come out of your available cargo capacity inside your JGC...the limit applies to people, "stuff", pets and what's on the tongue. Midsize SUVs almost as a rule have very limited cargo capacity in the cabin so be sure you leverage the trailer for non-essentials so you don't exceed the cargo capacity while traveling.

brettlongtrumpet · Dec 10, 2021

Jim_in_PA said:
No. A WDH primarily redistributes tongue weight from the rear axle to the front axle of the tow vehicle to maintain proper balance for steering and braking. If the front end gets light, it gets really scary. I know that for a fact from personal stupid...err...experience.

BTW, keep in mind that your tongue weight and WDH weight also come out of your available cargo capacity inside your JGC...the limit applies to people, "stuff", pets and what's on the tongue. Midsize SUVs almost as a rule have very limited cargo capacity in the cabin so be sure you leverage the trailer for non-essentials so you don't exceed the cargo capacity while traveling.

yes, thanks. I just wasn’t sure if the wdh shifted anything back to the trailer axle. Considering the low payload capacity of the Jeep AND payload capacity of the trailer, I need to pack very light for that trailer, or consider some other trailer options that have (slightly) lower hitch weight and higher cargo capacity.

Hammerhead · Dec 22, 2021

You can find lots of good info on towing and RVs in general at RV.Net RV and Camping Forum ? RV, Trailer, Camper, Motorhome, Camping and Campground Information.

pkman · Dec 22, 2021

A good portion of the tongue weight does transfer back to the trailer axle, but it doesn't add anything to the gross weight of the trailer so does not reduce available payload - unless the axle is already at capacity. I used to have a small motorcycle trailer that had a 1500# GVWR but only weighed half that loaded with a dirt bike. I used a WDH with 500# bars to push it down and keep it from bouncing too bad.

Camper recommendation(s), V6 GC

brettlongtrumpet

Campfamily

WK2-Overland

macmac

Jim_in_PA

brettlongtrumpet

brettlongtrumpet

Campfamily

mmacgilli

Jim_in_PA

brettlongtrumpet

Hammerhead

pkman

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