2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

[bigdee]

Looking at a 2005 Cherokee Laredo to replace my '03 Blazer.......I would appreciate hearing honest opinions from members that have or had OWNED this vehicle equipped with the Mercedes 5 speed transmission. I have already researched specs on this vehicle so I am not interested in tow capacity ratings or safety lectures.

 

[TheBlizzard]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

I had an 06 for ahile and towed a 24' Cuddy with it; it pulled fine and didn't sag a whole lot, if I was going to use it for longer distances I would have put air bags or overloads on it. I had a external tranny cooler on it + gauge as well, made a huge difference and I would suggest it with these trannies.

I think you should have what you are towing in your question too, that would make a difference. If its a general question about towing I would say go for it, just take care of the transmision and keep it cool and it will be fine.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Jeep stopped producing the Cherokee in 2001. If youre talking about a 2005 Grand Cherokee Laredo, they are very good Jeeps for towing. Since you said it has the 5 speed Mercedes tranny, Im assuming this Jeep has the 3.7 V-6 engine which is really and truly pretty weak to be towing with. Weve got a Jeep liberty with this engine and it suits the liberty ok, but the Grand Cherokee weighs at least 600lbs more than the liberty and since you would be towing with it, you may want to look for a Grand Cherokee with the 4.7l or even the Hemi. Both the 4.7 and 5.7Hemi have a Chrysler 5 Speed(545rfe) tranny which is a great tranny.

Weve got a 06 Grand Cherokee with the 5.7 Hemi and love it. It will tow our boat like its not even there(Factory tow pack has tranny cooler). If you do get a Jeep always keep the tranny fluid changed and use the CORRECT fluid. Using the correct fluid in a Chrysler transmission is VERY important.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

I had an 06 for ahile and towed a 24' Cuddy with it; it pulled fine and didn't sag a whole lot, if I was going to use it for longer distances I would have put air bags or overloads on it. I had a external tranny cooler on it + gauge as well, made a huge difference and I would suggest it with these trannies.

I think you should have what you are towing in your question too, that would make a difference. If its a general question about towing I would say go for it, just take care of the transmision and keep it cool and it will be fine.

Thanks, I will mostly use it for a 20' pontoon and a 18' ski runabout. Tow distance is only a few hundred yards and I occasionally tow 30 miles or so. I have done this for 7 years with the Blazer so I know the Cherokee can handle it. I am more concerned about the likes and dislikes and reliability of the Cherokee. This is going to be used mainly for hauling sport gear,grandsons,kayaks,dogs and utility trailer.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Jeep stopped producing the Cherokee in 2001. If youre talking about a 2005 Grand Cherokee Laredo, they are very good Jeeps for towing. Since you said it has the 5 speed Mercedes tranny, Im assuming this Jeep has the 3.7 V-6 engine which is really and truly pretty weak to be towing with. Weve got a Jeep liberty with this engine and it suits the liberty ok, but the Grand Cherokee weighs at least 600lbs more than the liberty and since you would be towing with it, you may want to look for a Grand Cherokee with the 4.7l or even the Hemi. Both the 4.7 and 5.7Hemi have a Chrysler 5 Speed(545rfe) tranny which is a great tranny.

Weve got a 06 Grand Cherokee with the 5.7 Hemi and love it. It will tow our boat like its not even there(Factory tow pack has tranny cooler). If you do get a Jeep always keep the tranny fluid changed and use the CORRECT fluid. Using the correct fluid in a Chrysler transmission is VERY important.

Yeah, it has the V-6 but so does the Blazer. I don't care about power on the highway as long as there is enough torque at the ramp. I am really concerned about the Mercedes tranny since they are foreign to me.

 

[642mx]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Looking at a 2005 Cherokee Laredo to replace my '03 Blazer.......I would appreciate hearing honest opinions from members that have or had OWNED this vehicle equipped with the Mercedes 5 speed transmission. I have already researched specs on this vehicle so I am not interested in tow capacity ratings or safety lectures.

Chrysler products keep tranny shops in business.... Stop by a few shops and ask, they will tell you. Here is a link to some consumer reviews about the 05 Cherokee: http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/grandcherokee/2005/consumerreview.html

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

I run a 96 grand, so not much help there, but I have a buddy who has the Mercedes SUV and he has no problems at all with towing his boat or his 20 foot cargo trailer with it. Mercedes makes some pretty stout equipment so I would probably not be to worried about towing with that transmission...

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Yeah, it has the V-6 but so does the Blazer. I don't care about power on the highway as long as there is enough torque at the ramp. I am really concerned about the Mercedes tranny since they are foreign to me.

The V-6 in the blazer has a little more torque than the V-6 in the grand. The grand also weighs more than the blazer. Some V-6 Grands do not have 4low, its just AWD so that 'may' be an issue on really steep ramps. I dont know anything about the Mercedes Tranny. We have a 18ft four winns runabout and I would really rather have a bigger engine than the 3.7 V-6 when towing it with our liberty. It has zero problems at the ramps(even the steep ones) but I have 4 low in my liberty.

The 2005 year model was the first year for the WK(2005-current grands) so it does have its fair share of first year production issues. Mostly its electrical problems. Weve had no troubles out of our 1994 Grand Cherokee(I-6 engine with 42RE tranny, 180,000 miles on it) or our 2006 Grand Cherokee with the Hemi and 545rfe tranny. We have 4 Jeeps in all and have had no problems with any of them and they have all been used to tow with. Keeping the fluid cool, fresh, and using the correct fluid is key in chrysler transmissions. The majority of the population does not know what kind of fluid to use nor do they have a clue that it needs to be changed.

 

[TheBlizzard]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Thanks, I will mostly use it for a 20' pontoon and a 18' ski runabout. Tow distance is only a few hundred yards and I occasionally tow 30 miles or so. I have done this for 7 years with the Blazer so I know the Cherokee can handle it. I am more concerned about the likes and dislikes and reliability of the Cherokee. This is going to be used mainly for hauling sport gear,grandsons,kayaks,dogs and utility trailer.

You will be fine towing that stuff around with that even with a V6 model, for any long distances I would do a aftermarket tranny cooler just to be safe but for those small boats you shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Chrysler products keep tranny shops in business.... Stop by a few shops and ask, they will tell you.

Yeah, especially the shops that change the fluid and put in some generic fluid plus an additive and claim it's the same as ATF+4, thereby creating their own rebuild business.

 

[JBow]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

The Benz transmissions are very good. I own 2 and have had no trans problems, 1 has over 150 k on it.. Just have it serviced every 50 to 60 K and use dealer fluid and you will be fine. In fact I bet you will love it. Good luck..JB

 

[TinInWI]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Im a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep technician by trade, and a Jeep Nut. You will not have to worry about the engine or transmission in the 05 Grand. Yeah, the 3.7 was a gutless wonder in the Liberty, but that drive line was geared for MPG, and the 3.7 got the short end of the deal. The MB tranny in the Grand, IMHO, is one hell of a tranny. I've not seen ANY of the MB trannys used in chrysler products in for work, beyond a fluid change.

Chrysler products keep tranny shops in business.... Stop by a few shops and ask, they will tell you. Here is a link to some consumer reviews about the 05 Cherokee: http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/grandcherokee/2005/consumerreview.html

I'll be the first to admit that Chrysler had SEVERE tranny problems in the late 80's, early 90's, especally in the mini vans, but none of those trannys are even made anymore, LET IT GO! Chrysler, for about 15 years or so, has been building some of the stoughtest drivelines in the industry, 545RFE, 42RLE, 47RE, 68RFE, the NAG, NV3550, NV4500, AW4, AX15, 5.2L, 4.7L, 4.0L, 3.8L, 5.7L, 5.9, ALL bullet proof.
Your Toyotas are careening in to other cars and off cliffs at high rates of speed when they go into "death to hippy" mode, worry about that.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

Thanks to all for your input now I feel more comfortable with this vehicle. Engine torque means nothing to me...I am more interested in rear wheel torque and IMO that should be listed in the specs. The Blazer has more torque but I've seen 3.7 Cherokees pull bigger boats than I can. My main objective is to find a balance of low operating costs and functionality.

Im a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep technician by trade, and a Jeep Nut. You will not have to worry about the engine or transmission in the 05 Grand. Yeah, the 3.7 was a gutless wonder in the Liberty, but that drive line was geared for MPG, and the 3.7 got the short end of the deal. The MB tranny in the Grand, IMHO, is one hell of a tranny. I've not seen ANY of the MB trannys used in chrysler products in for work, beyond a fluid change.

 

[642mx]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

I'll be the first to admit that Chrysler had SEVERE tranny problems in the late 80's, early 90's, especally in the mini vans, but none of those trannys are even made anymore, LET IT GO! Chrysler, for about 15 years or so, has been building some of the stoughtest drivelines in the industry, 545RFE, 42RLE, 47RE, 68RFE, the NAG, NV3550, NV4500, AW4, AX15, 5.2L, 4.7L, 4.0L, 3.8L, 5.7L, 5.9, ALL bullet proof.

I'm speaking from experience. We lease Dodge Rams at my work, every one of them has had tranny issues within there 3 year term. We pull a 24 foot enclosed trailer with them, but its well within the towing capacity. I won't mention the rear end chattering issues, shocks falling off, and the horrible gas mileage they get. Before you ask, the boss leases them cause they are cheap.

Your Toyotas are careening in to other cars and off cliffs at high rates of speed when they go into "death to hippy" mode, worry about that.

How does this have anything to do with this thread? Troll somewhere else.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

How does this have anything to do with this thread? Troll somewhere else.[/QUOTE]

AGREE.....what does this have in common with my question? Does the Ram have the same tranny as the cherokee?

 

[642mx]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

AGREE.....what does this have in common with my question? Does the Ram have the same tranny as the cherokee?

Not the same tranny, but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Read the vehicle reports on the link I posted earlier. I think there is 400 or so write ups about that particular model that your looking at. Some are good, some are not so good.

As with any vehicle, your going to have problems and some vehicles simply have more problems than others.. Heck, my 2010 Lexus was in the shop last week for a problem and its got 5000 miles on it. The 06 Solara we traded in for the Lexus was never in the shop... you just never know.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

No, the ram does not use the Mercedes transmission. If you got the 4.7 or 5.7 engine in the Grand then you would have the same transmission.

Weve also got a Dodge Ram with close to 200k, all trouble free miles(4.7l engine with 545rfe tranny). Its a work truck used at a coal mine so it goes through more than 99% of the trucks on the road do.

People can argue for months on a forum about what is better. Even if someone has had problems that doesnt mean everyone is going to but it goes the other way too. We have 5 Chrysler Vehicles all with mileage ranging from 200k to 35k, all trouble free. That doesnt mean someone will not have a problem tomorrow with a Jeep though. Personally I dont give a crap what others say about whats best, Ill drive my Jeep into the ground be happy about it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2005 Cherokee opinions as tow vehicle

We bought an '05 Jeep GC Laredo with the 4.7 this past Spring. We friggin' LOVE it!! It tows my 18' Starcraft just fine. It is not my default tow vehicle though. I still primarily use my '90 Chevy K1500. The truck doesn't even know the boat is back there. The Jeep definitely does but is still a good tow vehicle. Braking is very good.