How the shit do these carmakers get away with selling full-sized SUVs and marketing them as great for towing, WITHOUT including a trailer brake controller? Especially when the sticker price is north of $100k. Jesus.
According to all the jeep literature, both WK2 and the new WL have a tow haul mode, but it is automatic when the seven pin connector is connected the computer does all the adjustments for you
We tow our 30ft travel trailer with an 06 GC 5.7 and so far it has been phenomenal. The trailer weighs about 5,500 lbs the way we load it and the combined weight of it and the jeep is around 11, 600. Long steep inclines are the only place it struggles.
Considering the tow haul modes, these vehicles priced this high shouldn’t need them. Like TFL discussed they felt like the “tow haul” mode never did anything and the vehicle just adjusted it self through the transmission when heavier loads were pulled.
The Durango comes with an integrated brake controller with the tow n go package, same platform as the grand Cherokee basically, so why doesn't jeep use that? Any vehicle rated to pull over 3500 pounds should be required to be manufactured with a trailer brake controller, considering all the regulations on new vehicle safety.
The new 5th Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) is on a new and different platform than the previous (WK 4th Gen Jeep GC/WD 3rd Gen Dodge Durango) one. The WK is derived and from the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
08 Grand cherokee owner here, with the first gen 5.7 hemi (330hp 370lbft, pre VVT) and a 5 speed. Curb weight is about the same, payload rating identical, tow rating identical. If you guessed it would tow this trailer just as easily (other than the air suspension) you'd be right. Jeep has a good little formula with the Grand Cherokee and I'm glad they haven't messed it up
I feel like the interior of this rig is nicer then the exterior. Which is not a bad thing and still very formidable. This GC with their new turbo 6 will be a nice combo.
From what I understand about the tow haul mode in some vehicles, it not only adjusts the shift points, but it also turns of the cylinder deactivation. I'm not sure the Auto mode would be that good at detecting what is going on.
This is such a great video! Do you think the Hemi can handle a 6200 pound trailer setup? Im including all the weight of the family in the car, 759 pound hitch weight, and cargo. The trailer dry weighs around 5850, so adding another 400 pounds. The Jeeps max tow is 7200 and I have a weight distribution hitch.
talk about distracted driving having to have your hand on the phone to press the brake controller if you need to use it.they sure dont think about non techy people.
Nice truck, but I agree with you. These big tow capable SUV's should be available with integrated brake controller, and also with proper tow mirrors. As far as I can see only the Toyota Sequoia has both. I have towed a travel trailer many kms with an SUV (Highlander)...tows great and no issue, except did add a proper brake controller and had some add on tow mirrors which are absolute crap compared to a proper tow mirror. Take a page from RAM and have the nice flip up ones??
No doubt you can tow with a large SUV but I think a pick up is way more practical. When I tow our RV, I have a portable black/Grey tank in the box, X chocks, power cable, blocks of wood and god only knows what else. Then when we are camping, I fill my box with fire wood. Most people like a camp fire when camping. To put all that in a $86 000 vehicle seems to be a crime. My pickup bed can just be swept out when i am done.
Most of my towing in the past was with a pickup...I don't have a truck to tow with anymore because I don't need one most of the time. I keep my 87 long bed Ranger around for the DIY project hauling stuff, but other than that I don't tow often enough to justify having a truck sitting around, and with the fuel prices anymore I don't care to feed a truck's hungry engine. My 87 Ranger gets 25mpg on the highway and 21-22mpg city...so it also covers as a daily driver if I'm not riding my bike.
@@wildbill23c My Tundra is harder on fuel but since my wife works from home 🏡 I just drive the RAV 4. It is about 2X better than the Tundra. A parked truck burns zero fuel.
@@jonathanpardy2562 I bought my Cherokee to tow a small RV trailer under 3000 lbs (there are quite a few) but havent seen any actual towing videos for this vehicle which makes me very nervous.. Now im thinking of selling it...
We tow a 3500# camper with a Cherokee here in New Mexico and it's fine. We don't load the camper with a lot of stuff though. And we don't drive that fast with it.
1050 payload capacity? The two of them weighs 500 lbs. the trailers tongue weight is at least 500. They are maxed, no kids, no extra cargo. An EQ adds 75 lbs. this is not a safe or legal set up if they add anymore weight.
When it comes to vehicles in this price range it’s imperative to realize “the cost to own” the largest cost is DEPRECIATION, the more you paid the ironically the more it deprecates personally therefore I buy this as a used certified vehicle.
Nice review guys...like always. Jeep guy here. Use to have a 2004 GC with the 4.7L and LOVED IT. Living in CO, that thing towed great. I have a RAM 2500 now but I'd love to pick another GC up one day....if I win the lottery.
I love your vids, but the V8 option on the JGC L is really a rare thing. I wish you guys would have reviewed the V6 towing at the same time. It's $10k more to get the V8!
I’ve looked on several websites and can not find the max hitch weight on this model? For safety sakes you should never tow more than 75% of manufacturer’s max towing ratings. 7200 x 75% =5400 lbs. [Manufacturers set tow ratings with a flat bed trailer not a 10’- 12’ high camper] Air bags and auto leveling do not distribute weight to front wheels and across whole vehicle. Which is helpful when trying to steer. Think this SUV unibody would benefit from a weight distribution hitch for max control and safety. Airbags and auto-leveling don’t increase cargo capacity or improve frame strength on this unibody construction. Not a Jeep fan or a fan of any SUV towing. For $84k you can get a nice used 1/2 ton to tow this camper, (+ 2nd car for your family car).
Why test one of the most expensive models and not the model most widely available, that has a v6 engine? Appreciate you videos but that makes no goddamned sense
I believe the Jeep automatically places you in tow mode when you hook up the trailer electrically. Once it detects the trailer's lights, the SUV knows you're towing.
Wireless brake controller - lacks the manual button if/when there is connection issues. Plus even if it was connected the chances you are on the screen when you may need it is unlikely. Also, it’s not linear. I wouldn’t recommend as replacement for wired systems, for temporary…sure. Most of these vehicles have all the wiring ready to go anyways.
I had a Curt Echo. Used it on 3 trips. Will never use it again. On a highway, it was fine. In the city, the brakes were SO jerky and unpredictable. It felt like I was slamming on the brakes even if I was only lightly pressing down. No amount of power/sensitivity tweaking worked. It made driving very uncomfortable for my passengers and made it feel like a chore for me. One time, it even completely locked up the brakes while I was accelerating away from a red light! I didn't even have the brakes pressed at all. That was the last straw. I pulled into the next parking lot I could find and removed the echo forever. Check some online reviews. This is not an uncommon occurrence.
I think that there should be some sort of rule where any vehicle capable of towing 3000 lbs or more should either have an integrated brake controller or a factory option for one. I don't know why the manufacturers tell people you can tow 'X' amount but not allow you to do that legally right off the lot.
I've owned Grand Cherokees for a long time starting in 1998, we still have that one (with a 4 liter six) and the 07 with the 5.7 Hemi that I bought back in '09. The 5.7 Grand tows our boat (5050 lbs) like it's not even there, the '98 4 liter used to struggle a bit with it. The only thing the previous gens of GCs need for towing is air bags in the rear coils (for light tongue weights) or a WD hitch (for heavier weights). That, and good brakes on the trailer. My only frustration with the new one is you can't order it with a Hemi for now, at least here in NY. With the 3.6, I'm not a customer. Once you you have had a Hemi, you aren't going back....
@@Juanimo7 I don't understand this. The overland comes with quadra trac 2, front axle disconnects, quadra lift suspension and a two speed transfer case, 18" wheels on 32" tires. I'm pretty sure you can even get the quadra drive 2 in a non trailhawk GC. That's a solid list of off-road kit. I can't think of anything that would compare to that as far as third row SUVs go. The exterior is subjective so I got nothing on that.
@@Juanimo7 No worries. Im just sharing with you. I've got no stakes in the company. I do it with all the brands. I research too much I guess. Useless knowledge.
I’m glad that you mentioned the spongy air suspension my WK2 Trailhawk is pulling a 13.5’ off-road camper trailer and it has definitely felt spongy and I am at around 2500-3,000 pounds. I was beginning to suspect maybe my air suspension had a leak even though it does seem to be functioning normally.
Hey guys! Thanks for this great video! I'm exactly the type of guys that your're talking about at the end: I would need a truck only when I tow. So I own a '19 Toyota Highlander SE, which I love 95% of the time. The other 5%, I'm towing our camping trailer for a couple of times during summer/fall, a 3500 pounds empty weight single axle Sonic 169 VRK, and I have an Anderson weight distribution hitch. I find that I'm getting bounced around a bit when towing, especially on rougher roads. My question is, would a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, or even an L version, be a better towing vehicle, so much better that it would justify to change my vehicle? Is the air auto-leveling suspension a reliable game changer? Also, I think it's worth to mention, we have rough winters here in the very hilly Charlevoix region, Quebec, Canada, throwing every kind of dirt, salt, snow, ice under the car during winter. For me, reliability is a #1 priority. Thanks in advance for answering! Keep on the good work! (I don't want to want an F-150 3.5T, and a Durango V8 would cost too much gas I think...) 🙂
Short answer - changing to a Jeep GC won't change that much as the vehicles have a similar weight. The air suspension is great for attitude adjustment, but doesn't change the ride that much. The Anderson is a good choice. I think you have about the best setup you can have - I wouldn't change. Love Charlevoix - gone sledding up there a couple of times. Howard
Hey Steve! Is there a way to contact you ASAP. I'm needing help purchasing a truck to tow my trailer and I need advice on which one you think would be perfect!
Really enjoyed the review and best of all, getting opinions from both of you. I like that format and how both you see features and functionality differently and or the same at times. Nice to get diffrent perspectives in the same review. Thank you for the review!
JEEPS SUUUUK BUT THUS INE IS KOOL BUT BUY A FORD OR DODGE TRUCK JUST AS COMFY N SAME PRICE...GREAT VIDEO STEPHEN N BIG GREEN ONTARIO BEAST CHEVY...ROCK ON ALWAZE
