Tow capacity

[NorthernBasser]

Hey guys. I haven't had a boat in some time, and the last one I had was a little jon boat.

 

I'm looking to get a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but it doesn't have the tow package (ones that do have a 5,000 lb towing cap.). So if I put one on myself, the tow capacity will be 2,000 lbs.

 

My question is what kind of boat could I get away with pulling? I wanna get something used around 16'. Something aluminum like a Mirrocraft/Princecraft/Alumacraft/Tracker. I'm thinking 40HP is the most I'd go.

 

Thanks!

[MickD]

What is included in the tow package this car doesn't have?  Most likely a trans cooler and a higher capacity cooling system.  You live in WI, so it's level, not that hot even in the summer, a BIG difference from someone from AZ asking this question.  I think that if the car WITH the towing package goes above 3500 pounds, then you can tow anything up to at least 3500 pounds.  If the limitation is the engine power, it's a different story.  If you try to tow a 3500 pound  rig with less than about 200 HP, then it's going to be a grind.  I don't think you will damage the vehicle, but it will be underpowered.  

[WRB]

You should be OK with any aluminum bass boat under 18'. 

You should have a class B, 3,500 lb hitch. Towing includes stopping and that is more of an issue than pulling, your vehicle has gears to get going.

Tom

[BigAngus752]

8 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

I'm looking to get a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but it doesn't have the tow package (ones that do have a 5,000 lb towing cap.). So if I put one on myself, the tow capacity will be 2,000 lbs.

May I ask what year and engine?  I've owned more Jeep products ranging from 1943 to 2014 than I can count on two hands.  I'm not aware of a Grand Cherokee model that has a tow capacity as low as 2000lbs.  I'm not an encyclopedia of all Jeep specs but you can pull 2500lbs with a JK Wrangler.  My current Grand Cherokee (a WK2) tows 6200 and it's a six cylinder.  

[NorthernBasser]

Thanks for the replies.

 

The Grand Cherokee I'm looking at is a 2017 or '18 Altitude edition. You can't get the tow package with it. I read on forums if you put your own tow hitch on, the max you can pull is 2,000 lbs, because of gearing, etc. But I question that a bit.

 

This is the engine. It's also a 4x4.

 

3.6-Liter V6 24-Valve VVT Engine with ESS

• 295 hp
• 260 lb-ft of torque
• 8-Speed Automatic Transmission

[BigAngus752]

49 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Thanks for the replies.

 

The Grand Cherokee I'm looking at is a 2017 or '18 Altitude edition. You can't get the tow package with it. I read on forums if you put your own tow hitch on, the max you can pull is 2,000 lbs, because of gearing, etc. But I question that a bit.

 

This is the engine. It's also a 4x4.

 

3.6-Liter V6 24-Valve VVT Engine with ESS

• 295 hp
• 260 lb-ft of torque
• 8-Speed Automatic Transmission

I just checked the specs on the Jeep website and a 2018 Grand Cherokee Altitude with the 3.6 has a towing max of 3500lbs.  Which is more than you were thinking but still incredibly low for a vehicle that size.  Especially considering that the Grand Cherokee with a tow package can go all the way up to 7400lbs.  Very disappointing.  But you can get a nicely equipped aluminum boat under 3500lbs.  Happy shopping!

[A-Jay]

The  2018 Grand Cherokee Altitude weighs about 4,600 lbs -

As with any towing evolution, it's as much about the stopping as it is the pulling.

Getting a load moving is the easy part. 

The rule of gross tonnage applies. 

Something to keep in mind.

A-Jay

 

 

[MickD]

It looks like you have plenty of power to go to 3500, cooling in your area is probably not a problem, the braking comments are very good.  One way to check is to require that your purchase contract for the rig include your 1. Trying it on the water, and 2. Towing it to the water with your vehicle.  I did this once with a dealer around here and he had no problem with it.

[Angry John]

Can you order the towner package as a dealer add on.  I watch so many people do a wack job on there new cars and trucks.  Then have to deal with electrical issues.  The add on harness have worked well imo and then can be removed if there are issues or selling the car.

[3dees]

I pulled my Crestliner VT 19 and my PT 18 with a Grand Cherokee with an add on hitch. never had a problem. now I have a Dodge Durango with the tow package and I can't tell the difference.

[Tim Kelly]

Travis Manson, smallmouth crush on You tube tows his 20ft Legend glass boat with a grand cherokee. I don't know what the Altitude edition is, but if you're buying new or nearly new, why not get one that does have the tow package? It's obviously a reasonably capable vehicle with it. Seems a shame to have to restrict your boat choice because you bought a version of a vehicle that isn't really adequate. 

[Jig Man]

My wife pulls my Z20 Nitro with a Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk.  She has no problem and we live in hilly southwest MO.

[RPreeb]

1 hour ago, 3dees said:

I pulled my Crestliner VT 19 and my PT 18 with a Grand Cherokee with an add on hitch. never had a problem. now I have a Dodge Durango with the tow package and I can't tell the difference.

Maybe you can't tell the difference, but the difference is there none the less.  The vehicle with the tow package will typically last longer than one without, simply because it has (or at least should have) some less obvious modification like trans cooling and high capacity cooling system, lower range rear end, and better brakes that put less stress on the vehicle when under load - things you won't notice in normal driving. 

 

My F-150 was available without tow, with standard tow, and with max tow.  Mine appears to be the max tow, and that gives it about 4000 pounds more range for max towing weight than the base model, plus adds class IV hitch receiver, high capacity radiator, trans cooler, 3.55 electronic locking rear end, 36 gallon gas tank, pre-wired with both 4 and 7 pin electrical, trailer brake controller, etc.  I still need a weight distribution hitch for anything over about 700 lbs tongue weight.  With my Husky WD hitch it's rated to 1100 lb tongue weight and max trailer weight at around 11,000 lbs (my camper is 5500 max). 

 

Like what the OP is thinking, I bought this truck specifically because it was fully capable of towing my 24 foot camping trailer.  The dealer was actually uncertain just which package was in this truck, tow or max tow.  It was a 2016 at end of the model year and the dealership was just being sold.  The buyer had previously been a Chevy dealer and was just learning the Ford lineup.  I did my research and decided that whichever package it actually had, it could handle my trailer (which it does effortlessly).

 

I don't really know what Jeep adds to make up the tow package for the GC, but I'd suspect that it's something similar.  It takes a pretty good sized boat to go over 3500 lbs, so with what the OP seems to be looking at, I can't think that he would have any issues. 

[1BADAIR]

The limited is the lowest line you can get the tow package with. It comes with heavy duty cooling, full size spare and Nivomat rear shocks

[WRB]

The avg aluminum 17’vass boat weighs about 1,250 lbs, add 400 for engine and stuff and you are under 1,850 lbs. trailers weight about 500 lbs. gross weight well under 3,000 lbs.

Tom

 

[NorthernBasser]

On 12/16/2017 at 4:39 PM, WRB said:

You should be OK with any aluminum bass boat under 18'. 

You should have a class B, 3,500 lb hitch. Towing includes stopping and that is more of an issue than pulling, your vehicle has gears to get going.

Tom

You mention a class B, 3,500lb hitch. I have found this online. It says class 3. Would this work? And do I want 2"? Sorry, I'm quite new to this.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Jeep/Grand+Cherokee/2018/75699.html?vehicleid=2018303157

 

edit-I'm assuming class B=class 2? Could I still use a class 3 (like in the link) or is that overkill?

[WRB]

1 hour ago, NorthernBasser said:

You mention a class B, 3,500lb hitch. I have found this online. It says class 3. Would this work? And do I want 2"? Sorry, I'm quite new to this.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Jeep/Grand+Cherokee/2018/75699.html?vehicleid=2018303157

 

edit-I'm assuming class B=class 2? Could I still use a class 3 (like in the link) or is that overkill?

Yes, A, B, C is the same as 1,2,3. Nothing wrong with heavier duty hitch. 5,000 lbs with 500 lb tongue weight isn't needed for a bass boat but could come in handy. 2" receiver with 2" ball recommended for most bass boat trailers. 

Tom

[NorthernBasser]

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

Yes, A, B, C is the same as 1,2,3. Nothing wrong with heavier duty hitch. 5,000 lbs with 500 lb tongue weight isn't needed for. Bass boat but could come in handy.

Tom

Appreciate it!

 

One more question, and it's a dumb one, does the class 3 hitch weigh more than the class 2? If so, enough to weigh the rear down more than the other? 

[J Francho]

I've seen more guys roast their V-6 SUVs towing boats than I care to mention.  Get the vehicle with the towing package, and stay well within the max limit.

[WRB]

Are you planning on having the hitch professionally installed? I suggest you do and they will properly install the right hitch and electrical wiring with receptacle for towing. 

What boat did you decide on?

Tom

[NorthernBasser]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Are you planning on having the hitch professionally installed? I suggest you do and they will properly install the right hitch and electrical wiring with receptacle for towing. 

What boat did you decide on?

Tom

Yeah, I figured I'd let someone else do it to make sure it's done right. 

 

I haven't gotten the boat yet. But I definitely want a 16ft aluminum with around a 40HP motor. Been scouring Craigslist. Something along the lines of a Tracker, Alumacraft, Lund etc. 

 

I got 2 quotes today for hitch installs. The dealership can put the factory one one, which looks nicer. It requires some cutting of the rear bumper, and the hitch will be higher. It's a class 4 and it'll cost $800 installed (yikes). It'll look like this:

 

 

Or another place who specializes in towing can put this one for $300 installed. It doesn't look nearly as neat IMO, but it's quite a difference in price. This one comes out under the bumber, instead of through it like the factory one. Does it matter that it'll sit lower?

 

 

They'd also be installing a 7 way connector? Does that sound right?

 

Again, thanks a bunch. 

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

I've seen more guys roast their V-6 SUVs towing boats than I care to mention.  Get the vehicle with the towing package, and stay well within the max limit.

Don't tell me that! 

[WRB]

Most small aluminum boat trailers will have a flat 5 contact connector plug; brake lights, running lights, left and right directional wire plus a ground wire. They make a round 6 contact receptacle with a cover and mating 6 contact plug with a receptacle to adapt the flat plug into that matches your vehicle and trailer wiring. You get this a RV trailer shop.

The square 2" receiver should be about 16"-18" centerline to road surface, too low it tends to drag going in or out of driveways. The receiver with the 2" ball come in several different drop heights to match your trailer when hooked so it's level.

The $300 hitch should be good unless you like the looks of the built in unit, class 4 is overkill IMO.

Don't stress over the V6 towing a lightweight boat & trailer, it should be OK. 

Tom

[NorthernBasser]

12 minutes ago, WRB said:

Most small aluminum boat trailers will have a flat 5 contact connector plug; brake lights, running lights, left and right directional wire plus a ground wire. They make a round 6 contact receptacle with a cover and mating 6 contact plug with a receptacle to adapt the flat plug into that matches your vehicle and trailer wiring. You get this a RV trailer shop.

 

Are you talking something like this?

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Jeep/Grand+Cherokee/2018/HM40975.html?vehicleid=201821870

[WRB]

Hopkins 6 way to 4 way flat 47305, or if you have a 7 way RV to 4 way flat would work.

My earlier post I said 5 way, should be 4 what flat for small trailers.

Tom

[J Francho]

15 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Yeah, I figured I'd let someone else do it to make sure it's done right. 

 

I haven't gotten the boat yet. But I definitely want a 16ft aluminum with around a 40HP motor. Been scouring Craigslist. Something along the lines of a Tracker, Alumacraft, Lund etc. 

 

I got 2 quotes today for hitch installs. The dealership can put the factory one one, which looks nicer. It requires some cutting of the rear bumper, and the hitch will be higher. It's a class 4 and it'll cost $800 installed (yikes). It'll look like this:

 

 

 

Or another place who specializes in towing can put this one for $300 installed. It doesn't look nearly as neat IMO, but it's quite a difference in price. This one comes out under the bumber, instead of through it like the factory one. Does it matter that it'll sit lower?

 

 

They'd also be installing a 7 way connector? Does that sound right?

 

Again, thanks a bunch. 

Don't tell me that! 

Why on earth are they putting a Class IV hitch on a V-6 SUV?  Total overkill.