Pulling my camper with a 3.7L V6

[SCCO9803]

I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.7L V6 with a factory class 2 hitch rated for 3500#. We are looking at buying a hard sided pop up camper and I am wondering if this vehicle will have any problems towing it. The camper weighs around 2000# and I figure if I load it up for traveling it may add another 500# for a total traveling weight of 2500#. Will my Jeep Cherokee have any problems with this?

[Redlantern]

Might try posting this question in the automotive section as well as here. I'm not much of a mechanic so I couldn't give you any solid info myself.

[Tator2k]

I pulled my fishing boat (1500 lbs loaded) with my Pacifica which had a 3000 lb limit and it struggled to accel and had to work.

[upnorth]

No real expert on this, but I think you will be fine. Most the time a 17 or 18 full windshield boat/motor and trailer will be pretty close to that weight.

[chasineyes]

I guess it depends on when, where, and how much. If it's a casual trip to Duluth or Brainerd a couple times a year you'll be fine. I certainly wouldn't go and buy a gas guzzler for a few trips. However if your heading out to the mountains and great lakes and up north a dozen times that might be a different story.

[woodsmanmn]

A number you need to be aware of is Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGVW). It's the total weight of your tow vehicle, trailer, people, cargo, etc. In short, how much total weight is your Jeep able to move.

[SCCO9803]

The total weight limit is 8200#.

My truck weighs 4041#.

My camper at max would be 2500# fully loaded.

then add another 500# for two adults and two kids.

Total would be around 7000#-7100#.

The trailer also has electronic brakes.

[woodsmanmn]

Sounds like you're in good shape with a 1000# + cushion.

[GSP4ME]

Dodge 1 ton with the Cummings and still get 20+ mpg going down the highway and never know the trailer is back there

[Big Dave2]

I'm sure you will be fine but 500 lbs of gear seams low to me. battery and full propane tanks could weigh over 100 lbs. If you ever pull your trailer with a full fresh water tank or gray water tank remember that water weighs over 8 lbs per gallon. I would have the trailer weighed if you want to know for sure.

[Powerstroke]

Where are you getting the weight of the camper from? A hard-sided popup? Is it a trailmanor camper?

I would make sure you know the weight of the camper as well is the GVWR of the camper. Thats the number you should be thinking about. Nobody think they will hit the maw rating of the camper., but the smaller the camper is the less room for storage there is and its easier to max it out.

[solbes]

Engine is only one of the things I'd consider. Tranny cooler is good insurance and fairly cheap to install (highly recommend). Does this camper have trailer brakes? If so you will need a brake controller and adapter installed. Braking is more important than accelerating IMO. What's the tongue weight of the camper? Not sure if you'd need an equalizer hitch, but it can make a world of difference balancing the load front to back on your Cherokee.

Also when I pull our 28' camper with 50 gallons of fresh water, I'm adding 400 lbs right there. Its much less weight if you fill up your water at the campground and dump before you leave. Battery(ies), dishes, cookware, kids toys, convenience items, etc all easily add a few hundred pounds.

[Comit 2]

I would worry more about the transition!

[Hafnutz]

The 3500# is the rating for the HITCH only. It doesn't mean your vehicle is rated for the same. With the weight you are talking about it should be okay but you need to check your owners manual and see what your combination of engine, transmission and gear ratio is rated to pull. You also need to look at your total gross combined veh. weight which will include your Jeep, cargo, trailer weight and cargo in the trailer. If it was mine I would like to have brakes on the trailer but that's your decision. You should also see if it is okay to tow that much weight in overdrive and if you need a larger transmission cooler.