2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee towing report

[MCDenny]

We replaced our RAV4 with a new JGC a few months ago and just completed our first camping trip. The Jeep is a little bit bigger and 1200 pounds heavier than the RAV and the trailer had noticeably less effect pushing the tug around. The RAV towed the Snoozy just fine but this felt even more solid.




Specs: the Jeep is a V6 with 8 speed automatic, full time four wheel drive and the factory towing package. 290 hp, 260 ft-lbs torque. EPA rating 17/24 mpg. Rated to to tow up to 6200#. I can easily get 24 or 25 mpg cruising 75ish on the freeway (not towing of course). Trailer is a Lil Snoozy weighing 2850# with 390# tongue weight. Lowering the trailer onto the ball dropped the height at the ball 2". The car still seemed quite level with that small drop. Bumps would cause the trailer to lift the rear of the RAV but I didn't notice this at all with the Jeep.

Driving 250 miles north from Marine City, MI to Tobermory, Ontario we got 17.9 mpg per the car's trip computer. This was with two kayaks on the roof in addition to the trailer. We had maybe 5 -10 mph tail wind and drove about 55 mph, all two lane roads with a little town (30 mph) every 20 or 30 miles. On the return south we got 17.2 including 40 miles on the freeway at 65 mph. 10 mph tailwind again but the wind was on the beam for the freeway portion.

I have to say I am very pleased with the mileage. The RAV would have struggled to get 15 mpg with the trailer and kayaks.

I'll have details of the trip on our blog, www.wanderingourway.wordpress.com in a few days.

[Mike Magee]

It sounds nice. Is there any air suspension on that Jeep?

[MCDenny]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

It sounds nice. Is there any air suspension on that Jeep?

Mike, mine is a Limited model with conventional steel springs. Gotta go one model higher to get the air suspension. I thought it sounded nice but a little too much complexity (and $$$) for me.

[honda03842]

Denny,

It doesn't look like you carry a generator on the tongue and you certainly don't have propane tanks. What makes the Snoozy so nose heavy?

Thank you.

[MCDenny]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Denny,

It doesn't look like you carry a generator on the tongue and you certainly don't have propane tanks. What makes the Snoozy so nose heavy?

Thank you.

130# of batteries in the tongue box - two Trojan T105s. There are also two 8" thick foam mattresses, one memory foam one right in the nose. It all adds up!

[MCDenny]

Towing mileage update: towed the Snoozy 960 miles, nearly all on the freeway with the cruise set on 65 mph. Got 15.9 mpg (calculated manually) or 17.3 according the the car's trip computer.

[honda03842]

Just towed our Scamp 16 1500 miles with our Honda CRV, 2400 lb Scamp and 185 lb tongue weight. We averaged 22.5 mpg. Speed mostly between 62 and 55 mph depending on the road and posted speed limits. I measure tongue weight effect on the Honda at the center of the rear and front wheel wells - 1/4 inch drop at the front and a 1/2 inch drop at the rear with trailer.

This will be our last year towing with our 2004 Honda CRV.

[Mike Magee]

I am liking the Grand Cherokee more and more as my potential next tow vehicle.

The diesel option is surely overkill for an egg tug, but I have always wanted something with a diesel. This might be the one for me. I just heard from an owner on the Jeep forum who towed his 25' Airstream (6600 lb) from Vegas to LA and back. He averaged 19 mpg and the transmission temp never went over 203* despite a long 6% grade up Cajon Pass.

With a Snoozy or a Scamp in tow behind a diesel GC, I suspect that honda-like fuel economy should be achievable.

[honda03842]

Mike what max temp do you look for on an automatic?

[David B.]

Mike, we're holding out for the planned placement of that diesel into the 2015 Wrangler, to tow our future Lil Snoozy.
When we towed our 13' Scamp with our 1994 3/4 ton Dodge Ram with Cummins diesel, we achieved 23 mpg at 55 mph in California, and 17.5-18 mpg at 70mph. The truck never even downshifted from overdrive nor slowed down going up any grade. Not towing we achieved the same milage.
Dave & Paula

[Mike Magee]

Norm, I am no mechanic. But from what I've read on the internet (we know how good that can sometimes be!), 175* to 200* is considered pretty normal and temps beyond that are progressive in their potential to cause damage. In other words, there is not a single cutoff temp that one says "this is too high", but the higher the temp coupled with the longer the exposure to that temp is what determines how much the transmission life is reduced. If any of the more mechanically minded folks want to add, subtract or make corrections to that, we welcome their wisdom. I'm doing pretty good if I can change my own oil!