[honda_fox3]

So my wife is really pushing to get out of our old tent trailer, like next week, so I'm looking for size opinions.

Please specify if the weight is GVWR, UWR or actual weight from a scale loaded or unloaded. And list length as listed by manufacturer this will help me with comparison purposes.

Also what hitch (equalizer, etc), brake controller and any modifications you have done.

Thanks all!
Hopefully I'll have some pics of a new camper for you in a weeks or so.:thumbsup:

 

[cheapjeep]

Here's what we camp with temporarily bro. 22 ft Coachmen Catalina. Easy pull. #4200 dry I think. Gonna go 26' with a bedroom though. Tired today but will post some real info tomorrow.

 

[suzieque]

Is there a url to towing limits of the various wj powertrains?

 

[Trav1s]

Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ - Trailer towing

This spells the towing info for the 4.0/4.7/4.7HO

Trailer hitch packages, in general, are divided into four classes. Class I and Class II are usually designed to be weight-carrying with use of a ball mount. The Grand Cherokee WJ uses Class III and Class IV, which can carry heavier loads with the use of a weight-distributing hitch assembly that distributes the weight to all trailer and vehicle axles. A ball mount can also be used with Class III and Class IV Hitch Receivers for lesser loads.
Trailer Tow Prep Group (requires I-6 engine)

• 3.73:1 axle ratio
• Mechanical cooling fan
• Trailer tow wiring assembly

Trailer Tow Group Class III (requires I-6 engine)

• 3.73:1 axle ratio
• Transmission oil cooler
• Frame-mounted receptacle for load-equalizer type hitch
• 7-into-4-way plug adapter

Trailer Tow Group Class IV (requires V8 engine)

• 3.73:1 axle ratio
• Power steering cooler
• Transmission oil cooler
• Frame-mounted receptacle for load-equalizer type hitch
• 7-into-4-way plug adapter

WJ Towing Data
Engine Transmission Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
4.0L Power Tech I-6 4-speed automatic 5,000 lb
4.7L Power Tech V8 5-speed automatic 6,500 lb
High-Output 4.7L Power Tech V8 5-speed automatic 6,500 lb

Maximum gross combined weight rating
Class 2WD 4WD III 9550 lb 7550
IV 11,000 lb 11,000 lb Tongue Load Limit III, IV 750 lb Maximum trailer length III 25 feet IV 30 feet Trailer frontal area limitation of 64 square feet; trailer sway control and low-profile mirrors are recommended. This chart is meant to serve as a quick and easy reference guide on how to properly equip your Jeep Grand Cherokee for towing. For specific details, however, discuss your plans with your Jeep dealer, who will help you select the right equipment to meet your specifications.

 

[honda_fox3]

Good link thanks. I have been looking at that for a while. Still would like to hear real world experiences, ratings and experience are very different things sometimes ha ha

 

[suzieque]

This spells the towing info for the 4.0/4.7/4.7HO

wow, I guess I don't know much about the WJ! I assumed there was also a 5.9L (Magnum) or 5.7L (Hemi) available as well!

 

[Trav1s]

wow, I guess I don't know much about the WJ! I assumed there was also a 5.9L (Magnum) or 5.7L (Hemi) available as well!

4.7 replaced the 5.2 Magnum and the 4.7HO replaced the 5.9 Magnum. The WJ was designed before the 5.7 Hemi's design was finalized.

 

[cheapjeep]

Good link thanks. I have been looking at that for a while. Still would like to hear real world experiences, ratings and experience are very different things sometimes ha ha

Well Dustin last year was the first year for a camper behind the WJ. I've towed many campers over the years with a lot of different vehicles and the little WJ did an admirable job when you consider it is the smallest mid sized suv out of the big 3. Power isn't an issue although mine is an HO. That hydraulic fan is the best thing there is for towing, period. With a properly maintained cooling system it will never even break a sweat. I run the Superchips tow tune with the camper and can run with anything out there except a diesel. Actually the tune seems to deal more with the trans than anything. It really likes to hold a gear. Maybe Ryan can fix you up with something similar. Where the WJ falls short is in the braking department at least on mine. In extended stop and go traffic the rear brakes would get hot. Now My Jeep doesn't get a lot of miles on it and sometimes sits for extended periods so it may have been a slide pin issue. I bought new calipers and brackets to install when I do the new lift. Anyway I started manually leading in with the trailer brakes in town and had no more issues on that trip. Also I never checked the trailer brake adjustment which is a big no no because they aren't self adjusting. Another thing is I had a middle of the road brake controller which I rectified for this year. I just installed a Tekonsha P3 controller which probably would have never let last years problem happen because it will actually let you to set it up to lead with the trailer brakes. You get what you pay for here and I highly recommend the P3. With your new lift you're also gonna need a draw bar that has more drop than the standard one that comes with a weight distribution setup. The key is to get that camper as level as you can with the bars snapped up. If you take the time to get everything set up right you'll be more than happy towing with the wj. Try and keep your dry weight under 5k so don't be tempted by all those fancy slide outs:lol:

 

[honda_fox3]

Good tips cheap. Funny you mentioned the p3 i place and order to etrailer.com earlier today and that may or may not be part of it............... Dry weight of most the trailers i have been looking at have been mid to high 4k but they all have big tanks so gvwr gets in the 7k range. Obviously this is assuming all the tanks are full and lots of gear so as long as im careful with my loading i think ill be ok. Remember i have the addco rear so that will help sway and im a big believer in a good antisway/equalization hitch. Brakes are about the only thing i was worried about so im glad you mentioned it. Hopefully with the p3 ill be ok if not ill upgrade the pads and rotors a bit. Keep an eye on my build thread for updates i should start see a box of goodies friday.

 

[harkinsc]

I tow my track car on an 18' double axle, flatbed, steel frame, wooden deck. Trailer weighs ~1,800 lbs and the car is ~2750 lbs. Fully loaded with tools and fluids the trailer approaches 5,000 lbs. I have a 2004 Overland w/ factory towing package (hydraulic cooling fan), Addco rear anti-roll bar, Up Country springs and shocks, Tekonsha P3 brake controller, and SuperChips w/ Tow tune. I don't experience a lot of sway because of my setup. But I'd imagine you would want some type of trailer sway control and load leveling with a tall, heavy camper behind you. I can run about 75 on the interstate with no issues or struggles from the Jeep. On flatland the trans will stay in 5th but will shift down to 4th on any long uphill runs. I average 12-13 MPG.

The P3 is a fantastic controller. I mounted mine in the center stack in the dash just between the seat heater switches. Perfect place for it. I can quickly and easily remove it when its not in use. The 'green' color option for the display is a really close match to the stock dash lights color.

 

[Hacksaw]

The P3 is a fantastic controller. I mounted mine in the center stack in the dash just between the seat heater switches. Perfect place for it. I can quickly and easily remove it when its not in use. The 'green' color option for the display is a really close match to the stock dash lights color.

Any chance of a picture of your controller installed ?


Think Outside !- No Box Required.

 

[honda_fox3]

I actually saw a pic of an install like that online. Etrailer.com i think? Im thinking about that but then i loose my chewing gum pocket so im torn

We should have a trailer purchased in the next week or so, ill be sure to post pics of brake controller, weight distribution hitch etc as well as full reviews and install how to.

 

[cheapjeep]

Here's mine. It's the only place where you can see it well and also get at the manual control in a hurry if you have to.

 

[harkinsc]

Any chance of a picture of your controller installed ?


Think Outside !- No Box Required.

 

[Hacksaw]

Thanks for the pictures ! I had assumed correctly that I will need to cut the back out of the cubby...sticking out the front like that would drive me insane. I plan on finishing it off with a custom bezel so it looks "factory"

Think Outside !- No Box Required.

 

[cheapjeep]

Thanks for the pictures ! I had assumed correctly that I will need to cut the back out of the cubby...sticking out the front like that would drive me insane. I plan on finishing it off with a custom bezel so it looks "factory"

Think Outside !- No Box Required.

Keep in mind mine is about as far back in as you can go with a P3 and still reach the manual control underneath. Also you can't go back much futher anyway because there's ductwork behind the compartment.

 

[Hacksaw]

I just replaced my ashtray with the cubby ...I didn't see any ducts back.there but I didn't look too close either. The controller I have now is the older style (voyager) with a slide for manual operation.

Think Outside !- No Box Required.

 

[harkinsc]

Thanks for the pictures ! I had assumed correctly that I will need to cut the back out of the cubby...sticking out the front like that would drive me insane. I plan on finishing it off with a custom bezel so it looks "factory"

You're welcome. Yes, at a minimum you will definitely have to cut a hole in the rear of the cubby for the wires. I suppose you could go all out and make the hole large enough for the controller to slide through. If you're going to permanently mount the controller it might be the way to go. I can't remember exactly how much available space there is behind the cubby. My controller is quickly removed so when I'm not using it, I'm not bothered by it.

 

[fin1211]

Who here has towing experiences with the 4.0? Planning to tow a 3500 lb total trailer behind it this upcoming summer, we will see how it does.

 

[TheStreet16]

Who here has towing experiences with the 4.0? Planning to tow a 3500 lb total trailer behind it this upcoming summer, we will see how it does.

It's gonna be slow....slower I mean