Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

[davidredpath]

Hi,

I have a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the V6, and am concerned about towing a 20ft Chris-Craft bow-rider... the manufacturer tow max is 3500# and the boat (2900#) and trailer (700-800# I'm guessing) will exceed that recommendation.

Any advice on road/ramp performance with this truck would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Advice - don't do it. That little V6 wasn't built to tow and neither is the trans attached to it. The weight is well within the bounds of the Jeep itself, you just bought one with the wrong engine. Smaller boat or better tow vehicle.

Also - there is no way that a 20ft Chris Craft is only 2900lbs.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Get it towed to a place and properly weighed (by an adequate tow vehicle). Sorry but you will not receive validation or approval of exceeding tow limits.

Everyone here on iboats cares about their families..... if we condoned an overweight action we could be putting our own family at risk.

Welcome to iboats- notice we are really family oriented

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

I have a 2006 GC and tow an 18ft. Glass Bowrider without issues.
Boat, Trailer, Fuel + Equip = 3500#+. Trailer rated @ 3750#.

Add a Transmission Cooler to your 08 Jeep CG and it will Tow 6500#.

You can tow it with a lawn tractor, Stopping is the bigger issue.
Be sure the trailer has working brakes!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

I have a 2006 GC and tow an 18ft. Glass Bowrider without issues.
Boat, Trailer, Fuel + Equip = 3500#+. Trailer rated @ 3750#.

Add a Transmission Cooler to your 08 Jeep CG and it will Tow 6500#.

You can tow it with a lawn tractor, Stopping is the bigger issue.
Be sure the trailer has working brakes!

I'd suggest checking with Jeep - that chart that says a 3.7 can tow 6500 is wrong.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

I think the difference is the Base Laredo is 3500#; and 6500# properly equipped.
That means you need the factory Tow package or do it yourself by adding the Transmission Cooler.
Drive conservatively and it won't be a problem.

I added the transmission cooler, limit acceleration, and seldom see over 160 Degrees on the Transmission in 95 Deg weather.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

I'm surprised that a GC is only rated for 3500! I would have guessed at least 5000.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

I'm surprised that a GC is only rated for 3500! I would have guessed at least 5000.

They are rated up to 7200 if you get the big engine.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

That is correct that the V6 was only rated for 3500 lbs trans cooler or not. I found that odd when the WK (05-10) series came out because my old 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 six was rated at 5,000 properly equipped and the WK series has much better brakes. I have a 20' Four Winns and my 07 with the Hemi tows it very easily.

 

[lrak]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Advice - don't do it. That little V6 wasn't built to tow and neither is the trans attached to it. The weight is well within the bounds of the Jeep itself, you just bought one with the wrong engine.

then

They are rated up to 7200 if you get the big engine.

Everyone here on iboats cares about their families..... if we condoned an overweight action we could be putting our own family at risk.

oldjeep is right. The engine/transmission will be at excessive risk of dying. If anyone would like to tow near my family with ~4k lbs behind a GC feel free. The vehicle is rated to tow way more with a different drivetrain.

 

[davidredpath]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Advice - don't do it. That little V6 wasn't built to tow and neither is the trans attached to it. The weight is well within the bounds of the Jeep itself, you just bought one with the wrong engine. Smaller boat or better tow vehicle.

Also - there is no way that a 20ft Chris Craft is only 2900lbs.

I'm with you on this, NADA reports 2850# unladen for the boat (add 1k for the trailer), but the dealer mechanic estimated more like 4000 - 4800 if you've filled the tank and are underway to the lake with gear... thanks for your insight.

 

[davidredpath]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Get it towed to a place and properly weighed (by an adequate tow vehicle). Sorry but you will not receive validation or approval of exceeding tow limits.

Everyone here on iboats cares about their families..... if we condoned an overweight action we could be putting our own family at risk.

Welcome to iboats- notice we are really family oriented

I completely appreciate that, my wife put the same question I asked of this forum to the dealer and the answer started with "Well..."

It's unfair to ask anyone to qualify tow capacity outside dealer spec on the tow vehicle, and I like the iboat community's attention to family, as I have a 4mo old and this purchase is very much our family boat - awesome feedback on this site.

 

[davidredpath]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Abandoning my plans for the 2001 Chris-Craft 200 bow-rider... so long as I have the V-6 Jeep anyway. Everyone's feedback was extremely helpful and I plan to pay to back in another thread when I find something that I can tow safely!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

Here is your opportunity to buy a new tow rig

 

[Lou C]

Re: Jeep GC 2008 vs 20ft boat and trailer

See if you can trade the V-6 for one with the Hemi, they pull like a freight train and a 20' boat will not stress it one bit. All you need really is air bags in the rear springs (I have em in my 98) because the rear suspension on the WK series (2005-10) is very soft. I picked up my 07 when it was 2.5 years old and paid about half the sticker when new. 22,000 miles then. Great deal and has needed very few repairs (battery, brakes and tune up)...