Does anyone use these as tow monsters?

[Ridgerunner]

My wife and I are looking for a new vehicle to pull a 26' Travel Trailer. Do you think these V8 powered Grand Cherokee's could do it?

I have a 92 Cherokee with 4.0 and I doen't have any trouble pulling my bass boat but It wouldn't cut it pulling a camper.

Could the Grand cherokee cut it?

Also why is the 5.9V8 rated at pulling less than the standard V8?

Found a great deal on a 1998 5.9 Limited (Silver)

[Howler]

I pull a 22' trailer and the only thing I notice is the gas it sucks back. If you are looking a towing a lot make sure you find a V8 with a tow package. Here is the specs from a 97 spec sheet
Hitch Platform, Load Equalizing; Wiring; 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio;
Heavy Duty Radiator (5000 lbs Max. Trailer Weight w/4.0L Engine,
6500 lbs. Max. Trailer Weight w/5.2L Engine)
Preparation Group (3.73 Rear Axle, Heavy Duty Radiator)
As for the 5.9 I have no idea why that would be. Hope this helps
Howler

[whodat]

I believe the 5.9 has a lower tow capacity due to it's electric fan setup; less potential cooling available. The regular old ZJ (mine) is rated for 6500 lbs. If your trailer weighs less than that (and is also within the fromtal area limitations) go for it.
whodat

[PhilZJ]

Well, here is a picture of a ZJ towing a big boat. I believe that if a ZJ 5.2L V8 can handle that it undoubtable can handle a 26' camper.
http://oiltechonline.com/pvt/images/Boat_jpg.jpg
The ZJ in the picture belongs to "johnand".

Plus, a buddy of mine used to tow a 24' camper with a 4.0L Cherokee, the only mod he had was stiff springs and shocks. This was not the ideal set up because the engine was taking a beating and it was basically a road block on huge uphill, but it kept it up for about a year and a half until he got a suburban.

About your 26' travel trailer, do you happen to know what he weight and tongue weight is?

Since I do my share of towing, I can personally say that Grand Cherokees to great at towing because the distance between the hitch and the rear wheels is small and this gives the trailer less "mechanical" advantage over the jeep. I had to drive a Suburban (that has a huge over-hang in the rear) towing a trailer without stabilizer bars and the back end was all over the place! That was the only occasion I had to tow with something other than my ZJ and in my opinion the ZJ handled it much better.

Phil

[Ridgerunner]

Wow!, I guess that speaks for it.

Alot of people have said I wouldn't have any trouble pulling the camper.

I think this picture proves it.


I think my wife and I will start shopping,


Thank you.