Towed my 951 on a Trailex open trailer with a V8 (5.2L) Grand Cherokee for 2+ years. It did ok (tow capacity 6500lbs) and never had a mechanical problem. Of course, giving it enough tongue weight so as not to sway too bad weighed the rear end down a lot. They are small inside, which limits you capacity for other junk you want to take with you. And because you are at the limits for the vehicle is intended to do, I always felt "drama" was right around the corner.

Traded the Jeep with 155k miles on it for my Ram. It is longer and bigger and tows much smoother and with no "drama". Mileage is the same or better. I will never go back to anything less than a truck this size. No issues so far at 30k miles. Think now how I towed with that GC for those years, and i'm like "wtf was I thinking" A V8 GC is the minimum i would ever advise anyone to ever tow any kind of signifcant load with, if they could not get a full size truck.

 

Grand Cherokee's with the V8 tow just fine. I have the newer 4.7 liter V8 with 85k miles and has a 6500 lb capacity. With the weight distributing hitch, it tows great even fully loaded inside the jeep and with the 944 and 8 tires on the steel open deck trailer. This includes 8-10 hour tows on the interstate and through the mountains.

No problems with sway or hitch weight even at high speeds on the interstate - Mike doesn't havbe the option with his trailex for the weight distributing hitch, but as I see it it's a must have.


Only downside is that it tends to eat pads and rotors, but this is true of all cherokees whether they tow or not.

 

Good point about the hitch Matt. That would have made it a little nicer, but the overall size of the GC started to get to me. It was just small inside. An odd combination of big motor in a smaller chassis . . . I guess why they are so popular.


Dan, what kind of budget are you looking at? New or used? Basically any new full size truck will tow better than the SUV of equal $ value, IMHO. i.e. you can get a diesel 4x4 truck for the price of a new v8 grand cherokee (5.7L)

 

I have a Jeep GC with a 5.9L. You would think it could tow a house especially with the "tow package" it came with. It is only rated for 5000lbs. The tranny is an issue as the "tow package" did not have a tranny cooler. I put one in for $100. I do flat tow (tow bar) though so it is not that much weight. The only downside is the longer stopping distance due to the extra weight. I am looking to upgrade the brakes next.

The best set up is a truck well suited for towing (diesel:GMC & Chevy Duramax come highly recommended) and a trailer with brakes. Unfortunately, I don't had the room for a trailer. Also, if I have any issues with ability to flat tow from the track (suspension damage) I will have to rent a trailer. It is a compromise set up for now.

 

Interesting you bring up the 5.9L David. It or, any '98 V8 GC, are not tow worthy straight out of the box. Jeep did something strange that buyers need to watch for.

http://www.nagca.com/grandtech/98TransCooler.htm

 

02 Suburban pulled mine just fine

 

well i traded the ranger in tonite on an '05 F150 4.6l SXT ext cab RED with a few very nice options, most important being the tow package. Ill get some pics tomorrow the camera was dead tonite.

edit- ok heres one bad pic from the window...ill have to get one during the day w/ the other two red cars we own...we're just asking for a ticket.

 

Looks like I'm to late - but the newer Durango's are tow monsters. My parents have a 2004 Durango with the HD Tow package, and the 5.7 Hemi, and it tows our 30-foot camper like there is nothing back there. Gets decent mileage too. Highway without a trailer gets 21+mpg, and with the trailer, highway around 15-17+mpg

Matt

 

I've got an answer for you dan. double the pleasure and problem solved. and if one breaks on the track you can always use the other one .

 

i knew somehow someone would post that pic! I have an IN at the local ford dealership, a guy i used to do business with now runs the car sales department. I wanted a 4x4 but they are damn expensive so i went for the 2wd. She drives excellent, seems to get good gas milage so far and came w/ a nice big tow hitch on the back. NOW i need a trailer...that wont be till later this summer though. Hard parts done!

 

Looks nice!

Now I know who I can call when I need to tow something! Not that that ever happens to me.

 

Now go here for more info: www.f150online.com, lots of tech stuff and some "interesting" personalities, sort of like Rennlist

 

You know you want to get the greasel man! Thats the only way to go. Well, I tow with the truck and rent a Uhaul transporter. I will race you to the Uhaul place for the last one! :P

 

As long a the wp doesn't go out right TJ. Oh god two fords racing to the Uhaul. What a sad sight that will be.

 

Now all Dan needs is the NASCAR bumper sticker I saw on an F-150 the other day:

"I'm not SPEEDING officer, I'm QUALIFYING!!!!"