anxious to try my new tow vehicle

[bigdee]

Anyone have any towing experience with a 4.0 Grand Cherokee?
I replaced my tired 4.3 Blazer with a 4.0Jeep GC ('04) and can't wait to see how she tows. The Blazer was 2wd and the Jeep is AWD (Quadra trac-II) so I have the option of using a lower ratio if the need arises. I was really surprised with the amount of power and throttle response this thing has even though the torque is 20# less than the blazer. This is my first experience with a Chrysler product, I have always been a loyal chevy fan so I hope this thing is as reliable as the blazer was.

 

[MWG2600]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

The jeep has less brakes and may or may not have the same stability for towing like the blazer.

 

[bigdee]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

The jeep has less brakes and may or may not have the same stability for towing like the blazer.

I know this was an issue with the pre-2000 jeeps but I thought it had been corrected. I hope the stability is OK....The tow specs are the same as the blazer.....5000 lbs. I will be towing 3500 and less.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

You didn't say what you'd be towing.

The Jeep 4.0 liter engine is a very torquey motor. It should do well for smaller boats. Straight 6's will pull a heavy load, but when you put them on the open highway, they may be lacking in power. Just don't expect very good fuel mileage.

As far as stability goes: This model Jeep also has relatively a short wheel base, but it's built like a tank with cast iron rear axles, etc. I would take heavy tow vehicles over lightweight tow vehicles any day. All you can do is try towing your boat and see how it handles, stops, etc. Sometimes you've got to change your driving techniques, including speeds, to see if you can tow with relatively safety. Towing is just a bunch of compromises.

 

[bigdee]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

You didn't say what you'd be towing.

The Jeep 4.0 liter engine is a very torquey motor. It should do well for smaller boats. Straight 6's will pull a heavy load, but when you put them on the open highway, they may be lacking in power. Just don't expect very good fuel mileage.

As far as stability goes: This model Jeep also has relatively a short wheel base, but it's built like a tank with cast iron rear axles, etc. I would take heavy tow vehicles over lightweight tow vehicles any day. All you can do is try towing your boat and see how it handles, stops, etc. Sometimes you've got to change your driving techniques, including speeds, to see if you can tow with relatively safety. Towing is just a bunch of compromises.

20' pontoon, 18' sea ray, jet ski and small utility trailer. The blazer done fine and before that it was an 4 cylinder s-10 which stuggled but held up for well over 100k and is still going. I don't think the wheelbase is shorter than the blazer...they both take up the same amount of room in my garage.

 

[rdjohn]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

I ran a Grand Cherokee 4.0 for several years, towing was lots better than a friends blazer, most likely from it having 3.73 gear ratio. The 4 wheel disk brakes were very nice on them too.

Didnt bother to drop it out of overdrive unless it was hilly country.
Replaced it with newer v8 durango.

RD

 

[bigdee]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

I ran a Grand Cherokee 4.0 for several years, towing was lots better than a friends blazer, most likely from it having 3.73 gear ratio. The 4 wheel disk brakes were very nice on them too.

Didnt bother to drop it out of overdrive unless it was hilly country.
Replaced it with newer v8 durango.

RD

Thanks for the info......yeah I haven't towed with it yet but by just driving it feels stronger than the blazer. The ratio is 3:55 and the transmission is the electronic 42re.....I never used OD in the blazer when towing because it was not recommended by chevy...not sure about the jeep.

 

[bigdee]

Re: anxious to try my new tow vehicle

Finally got around to trying out the '04 GC today.....beats the heck out of the Blazer at the ramp. It pulls like a tractor and I did not use 4 low either. On the highway it is about equal to the blazer as far as power and stopping. Most of the time I only pull at the ramp anyway and seldom get on the highway.