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Topic: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much??? (Read 373 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160233

"Admittedly, 20% is really unusual, but I suspect that the Mountain Directory doesnt list highway 12s grade as that high"

No, it says the maximum grade on that road is 12%.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #26 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160235
Linda-

Thanks for pointing out my mistake. Whether in arithmetic or reading, I'm sure to make more of them every day! ;-)

I checked the Ford manual for our current Class A, built on a 2007 F53 chassis, and it has the same "two percent GCWR reduction" notice. Thanks to the group for bringing that to my attention.

Mark
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160236
That's what I thought it said. And I believe it's referring to a section of highway 12 west of Escalante. On those grades, my LD has no real problem pulling the Jeep. I've also had no problem on less steep grades at higher altitudes; for example, the higher parts of Boulder Mtn or the north entrance to Grand Canyon NP.

I think it's the combo of altitude and grade that is the killer (not surprisingly) and it's just a bit worrisome because one may not know what the grades are if you don't research before your trip. I now carefully trace the route on my Topo SW at the highest resolution to build gradient curves for any unfamiliar high altitude road I intend to take. Then if it has real steep parts it's "time for a bike ride!" Lol

Mike
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160253
Wow...Really great information. We got impatient, and bought a toad (2013 Lincoln MKX with reported curb weight of 4236#) before reading all the replies. I'll certainly be aware of steep grades at high altitudes where the GCWR reduces with elevation, and hopefully disconnect before getting stuck anywhere.

I thought I knew alot about towing, but you just don't know what you don't know.

Now I need to figure out a good set-up for the Roadmaster Falcon Terrain tow bar I already own. Will need baseplates, supplementary brake system, etc., but I'll search around to see what's been written about that, and then I'll need a recommendation of where to get everything installed locally (northern San Diego county).

Thanks everyone! Eric and Laurie
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160255
Wow...Some really great cautions about steep inclines at high altitudes with reduction of GCWR. I'll really have to keep an eye on that as we got impatient and bought a toad. It's a 2013 Lincoln MKX, with a stated curb weight of 4230# (actual = ???).

Thanks for the heads-up...I thought I new alot about towing, but "you just don't know what you don't know."

Eric
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #30 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160258
"We got impatient, and bought a toad"

Eric

The forum is a tremendous resource of RV and LD information. There is a huge amount of experience among us. Many here gave thoughtful answers to your toad question but you were in too much of a rush to take advantage of it.
It appears you had already made up your mind before ever asking.

Be aware that you are exceeding the Factory bumper's 4000-lbs rating. the bumper will need to be reinforced by a trailer hitch shop to increase it rating.
Toads weighing much less have damage the bumper and hitch's Grade-5 hardware and it needs upgrading too. Replace it all with Grade-8.

Both Roadmaster and Blue Ox towbars are useable with the other's baseplates, with the proper adapters.
Check both of their website and find the baseplate that fit you model. Examine the photos to decide which baseplate fits better and/or looks better when the hardware is removed, when not towing.

For a toad brake, SMI is my favorite but other brands can work fine too.
Do consider adding a tire pressure monitoring system (TPSM) and a rear view camera to keep track of the toad and it's tires.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #31 –
"It appears you had already made up your mind before ever asking."
I sincerely appreciate all of the thoughtful responses with important information, but I think it's unfortunate you think that I made up my mind before ever asking.  I'm not sure if you noticed that we decided on a toad that is significantly lighter than the one being considered in the original post (Jeep Grand Cherokee).   Yes, we went with something over 4000# (Lincoln MKX), but it was done with many factors considered.  You also mentioned that I should upgrade the bolts of my hitch receiver; however, my original post mentioned that my hitch receiver is welded to the frame.

Again, thank you for your input.  I really do appreciate it.  I just want to set the record straight...

Sincerely,
Eric


Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #32 –
Our LD was a 2004 MB and we towed a Honda CR-V.  I also had experiences in Colorado and Utah where it almost came to a stop before reaching the top.  Eastbound over Wolf Creek Pass got really interesting.  I was about ready to have the wife get out and push!  I also attempted a grade in a Colorado State Park when I was not towing anything and was going so slow the speedometer registered close to 0 before I got to the top. 

We now have a Class C that has plenty of power to tow a 7,000 lb. vehicle over these passes and it is an absolute joy to drive in the mountains.  It is on a 2015 Ford F-550 4X4 diesel chassis.  It is a Born Free and they will put any of their models on the F-550 chassis but the cost is WAY more than the LD.

Monti
 
Re: Towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too much???
Reply #33 –
Just wanted to share our experience with towing a 2013 Lincoln MKX behind our 2007 LD 26.5 MB from San Diego up to Big Bear (about 7300 ft elevation), and back down in about 60-65 degree clear days this Memorial Day weekend.  As a reminder, our LD does have Banks PowerPack, a welded hitch receiver, and we used the Roadmaster Invisibrake with a Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain tow bar (plus Protect-a-Tow).

I was very impressed with the power.  Yes, I felt the need to climb the mountain in downshifted gears (mostly 3rd), but occasionally in 2nd when I slowed way down within turnouts to let others pass.  A couple times, I  came to a standstill on an incline..  I still had no problem getting up to speed by accelerating from 1st to 2nd, and then 3rd gear.  As long as I downshifted appropriately, I never felt like I couldn't go fast enough. The other thing I used was "Tow Mode" the entire time (up and down the mountain).  Going down the mountain, I also left it in 3rd or 2nd gear, never exceeding about 4200 rpm and letting the transmission keep me slow enough to not overly use the brakes.

I'm not recommending exceeding the 4000# limit stated by LD, but thought I'd share my experience as a follow-up to this thread.  I've never weighed the Lincoln MKX, but it's about 4300# plus the fuel tank was full going up the mountain; however, I had no gear stored inside (...just the tow bar stuff).