Thanks for that! One of the reasons I'm about to buy my own Grand Cherokee Overland Summit with the V8 is a future need for towing. In my case, horses. Your post is very useful in assuring me that for my limited, local needs, the Jeep will do what I want it to do since I have no interest in buying a big, beefy, expensive "truck" to do that.

 

Good to hear. We will be towing my TJ from TX to WA this winter behind our 5.7L Overland.

 

Thanks for the information. In my experience, Grand Cherokees have been good tow vehicles and the newest generation is probably the best. We have a 19' Airstream (about 4,500 lbs), which we previously towed with a 2007 Overland (V8, tow package) and it performed quite well on west coast trips through CA, OR, WA, NV, UT, and NV. We now have a 2012 Overland Summit similar to yours (V8, tow package) and it performs even better primarily due to longer/wider wheelbase, QuaraLift air suspension, new 6-speed transmission, and low profile 20" wheels. You should not have any problems within the Jeep specs (7,200 lbs for V8 4X4), however, a brake controller and weight distribution hitch are requirements for larger trailers.

 

Nice review. Did you have the Outlander full of luggage/boxes to the roof? No way it comes close to 5000lbs w/o being at it's max capacity. An AWD weighs 3800 lbs. Gross weight = loaded with all passenger and luggage. How far was your trip? In the end, would have it been cheaper to drive them both separate?

 

Did you have the Outlander full of luggage/boxes to the roof? No way it comes close to 5000lbs w/o being at it's max capacity. An AWD weighs 3800 lbs. Gross weight = loaded with all passenger and luggage.

This is an XLS model, only feature it doesn't have is AWD. It curbs out at 3637 lbs, so even though I did weigh it down with some items from my shop I probably only got a touch over 4000 lbs.

How far was your trip? In the end, would have it been cheaper to drive them both separate?

I think you need to go back and read the second sentence of my original post, you missed the whole reason why I did this.

 

you don't mess around when you need some info. Thanks!

 

nice house!

I tow dirt bikes and quads around so I have not had it anywhere near the 7000 lb. limit but we were thinking about a trailer in the future also. It is nice to hear that it should be fine. Take pics and do another write-up once you get the trailer, i would love to read about it.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.
We've been considering a travel trailer for a little while now - still researching and figuring out the finances. We considered a 5th wheel, but the one we were looking at requires a 1-ton pickup - that's another $50k
Came back down to earth, and are now looking at something that we can tow with the GC.

 

Sorry -- I missed the "reason for the trip". When reading long posts, I tend to skip-read, and move on to the pics.

I towed a riding mower with mine -- 7 miles on side streets. Does that count? It's actually the first time I've ever towed anything with my own vehicles. I've hauled a lot, but never towed until this year. It was nice to have the tow package when I needed it (other than the croaky/moany shocks).

 

Great write up. Thanks.

 

Great writeup! I need to learn to back up a trailer first I think

 

Well we ended up buying a trailer. We were looking at a 26' Outback that was 5185 lbs dry. It was a bit longer and heavier than I felt comfortable towing with the JGC short wheelbase. We settled on a used 23' Jayco X23B hybrid trailer. Beds flip out of the end and are canvas covered like a pop-up. It's only 4100 lbs dry, no opinions on how it tows yet as we will be picking it up on Saturday. I'll let you know then!

 

I had a 16 foot version of this. It towed really easy.

 

I have found the WK2 tows very well for its wheelbase and weight. We have been towing our race cars , first miata now porsche for thousands of miles without issues. Tow mode shifting is good, brakes are strong, and stability is great. My mileage is decent considering the weight (5000lb) and oversize tires, and speed (70-75), 11-14mpg. Surprisingly it gets better mileage in the higher elevation states like NM and CO. This trip through NM we crossed one 11000ft pass, a bit slow, but no overheating or drama.

 

Nice trailer and car. Where did you track your car?

 

Just to compare... I currently tow a 30' Ultralite Travel Trailer that has a ~6100lb dry weight. We are probably pushing pretty close to the max weight fully loaded... so far no problems.... just maybe wish I had a tad more power to get up to speed at metered freeway entrances... but nothing I would consider unsafe.

 

I towed our 18' Aerolite Zoom trailer around to get a feel for it. I'll admit it pulls it easier than my JK but the 6 speed tranny is not impressive. The up shift sucks and it has no holdback on hills. This trailer is 2900lbs dry and we didn't have it loaded. In cruise it loses way to much speed before downshifting. I had a half ton Chevy for a company vehicle for the last couple of years with a 5.3 and 6l80 transmission which shifted worlds better. The half ton Ford I have also has a way better 6 speed tranny which stays within set point of 3 km/hr on either side. Love the Overland, hate the transmission. I've never heard anything good about Chrysler transmissions though.

 

I've towed a 19' and 23' travel trailer with my 2008 WK and trailer sway hasn't been a problem using one of the low-budget friction anti-sway devices. Both of our trailers are around 5,000 lbs which is no problem for the CRD. I plan on getting one of the 2014s when the diesel option is available again.

 

I have an 18' enclosed trailer with 2 Polaris RZRs that I tow regularly with my 5.7 Overland. I haven't had any issues with it. I don't tow with a weight distributing hitch. Trailer is about 2800 lbs and the RZRs are 900 lbs each.

 

I tow a 19 foot fiber glass ESCAPE trailer behind my 2011 Hemi two wheel. The Escape has slightly rounded corners which help with wind resistance and it is a tandem axle with total loaded weight of 3800# and tongue weight of 400# and I use a weight distribution hitch to slow down the bouncing in the truck lanes. We have 34000 miles total and about half of that is with the trailer attached. I can reach 70 at the top of on ramps to merge and cruise all day at 65 to 75. In no wind we get about 15 to 16 MPG while towing, the worst with head wind is 13. Not towing I get 21 to 22 on the highway and 15 to 16 around town at speed limit plus about 5. I attempted to replace it with a new 2012 just like it but the price was too much so I bought extended warrantee and new tires, now I have to change the spark plugs. It makes a great tow vehicle as it turns sharp, has big tires and brakes and is three feet shorter than my Ford 150 crew cabs. I like it, Jack of Tucson

 

I bought an new 2011 20ft Coachmen trailer weighing 4083lbs dry. Pull it with my 2011 Overland V8. I average about 375-400km/tank in the canadian rockies. I can pass going 125km/hr with it and no issues. I got the Tekonsha Prodigy P-3 brake controller. That thing is awesome. I use the boost function on the highway and higher speeds and no boost in the city. I got a Husky equalizer hitch and sway control, I wouldn't ever tow any trailer without. This vehicle is amazing and glad I dog the V8. I think Ford will regret not having a V8 in their Explorer. Just wish the Diesel was available last year when I bought.

 

Towing Travel Trailer

I have a 2011 Summit, 5.7L V8 Hemi, Towing Package IV and just bought a Passport 2650bh which weighs in at 4800lbs dry and about 29' in total length. Sounds like I may be pushing the length here given the short wheelbase, but i'll see how it goes and udpate... One question I had was the Quadra Lift suspension as I know it adjusts automatically to aerodynamic when driving... wondered if this messes with the configuration given the set-up is leveled based on a certain height? Or maybe the Tow/Haul button somehow accounts for that?

 

I have a 2011 Summit, 5.7L V8 Hemi, Towing Package IV and just bought a Passport 2650bh which weighs in at 4800lbs dry and about 29' in total length. Sounds like I may be pushing the length here given the short wheelbase, but i'll see how it goes and udpate... One question I had was the Quadra Lift suspension as I know it adjusts automatically to aerodynamic when driving... wondered if this messes with the configuration given the set-up is leveled based on a certain height? Or maybe the Tow/Haul button somehow accounts for that?

What you can do is perform your hitch setup with the suspension in 'sport' mode. This lowers the truck to aero height, and set it up correctly for speeds above 65. If you will not be towing above 65, no need to worry.

The lowering of the truck will just force the WD bars to add even more leveling pressure.

 

Are you asking if the aero mode (front and rear end lowering a bit) will mess with the weight distribution hitch? The rear stays about the same height, but the vehicle angle may change by a little. Tow/haul doesn't affect QL.

 

Interesting question about the QL affecting the tow angle. I have a Summit set up similar to yours and have not noticed the QL change to aero while towing. But, we primarily travel in the western states where towing speeds are often restricted to 55mph max, or we are winding through high altitude mountains. I'll have to check the next time we're traveling through Nevada.

 

I've never gone above 55 mph when towing, too...but as CC pointed out, lowering the nose a half inch really isn't likely to be a factor in the greater scheme of things. Having the load properly balanced and using WDH properly is much more important.

 

Thanks! i'll be under 65mph so i guess it wont matter.

 

So, my question is about the Quadra Track and the WD hitch. I have a 2015 Overland and I can't find any information on how to make the vehicle quit adjusting it's level to properly connect and use a WD hitch. Even my Airstream dealer is befuddled by the GC and Quadra Track. Nothing in owners manual and I'm having a heck of a time finding anything online. Any help out there????