Trailers and weight ratings...

[eeboater]

I'm guessing this topic has been beat to death here, but I am wondering if someone can lend me a hand with a few questions.<br /><br />First, my "tow vehicle" will be a 2WD 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 6 cyl.<br /><br />Alright. From reading the manual of my Jeep, the Gross Trailer Weight for my jeep is 5000 lb with a Class III hitch (which I have). Also, the Toungue weight is 750 lb. So, basically if I'm looking at a travel trailer that has a GVWR of 3850 lb to be towed behind my Jeep, will I be ok?<br /><br />Am I reading into the capacities properly?<br /><br />Sean

 

[Wreck Rider]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

I like your jeep drawing.<br />Simple answer is yes. Is there a recommendation for trailer brakes with something that heavy?

 

[tommays]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

i tow with a Silverado 4.3 with a 5000# rateing and a 3850 # trailer and its ok but if you have hills be ready for some time at about 3800 rpm <br /><br />i also towed with a G20 4.3 van for 150000 miles and the RPM is no fun but did not bother anything<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

Don't forget about all the stuff you put in that trailer. Water, food, gear, lawn chairs, batteries, hoses, etc. That stuff adds weight in a hurry and can quickly put you over the limit.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

Originally posted by wreck rider:<br /> I like your jeep drawing.<br />

OH...THAT's what that is! I can see it now! Never made the connection.<br /><br />My opinion to your question is yes...you will be OK in terms of being within your weight ratings. Trailer brakes are a MUST, not an option. However that 6 banger will be screaming to maintain any good highway speed...especially since travel trailers have all the aerodynamic properties of a Home Depot running down the street sideways. You'll be working the engine and tranny pretty good, so go easy on 'er and slow down. And if you're running regularly in hilly territory, I'd look for a bigger truck.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

I tow about that much with my 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0 six. Like the others said it will do it but be marginal on highway hills. For tongue wt try not to go over 250 lbs unless you put air bags in the rear coils or better yet use a weight dist hitch. And TRAILER BRAKES that work right is a must or you will find yourself sliding thru stop signs one day if it rains!

 

[k5ranger]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

eeboater... i also pull close to 3600 lbs with my 93 grand cherokee 4.0. take it out of overdrive, expect high rpms going up hills, and keep an extra sense of distance when travleing. always try to look ahead for stops so that you can safely slow down. that much weight will "push" your jep if you tried to brake hard. <br /><br />does your jeep have the towing pkg? if not, you most definetly will need a transmission cooler.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Trailers and weight ratings...

The concern I would have is on actual weight you are towing. All too often people use the dry weight of the boat or trailer, and forget about the gas, water, pet rocks, anchors, etc.<br /><br />It would pay for you to go to some truck scales and get a real weight measurement. Just make sure you note the weight with everything you want to tow on board.