• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Towing with a Grand Cherokee


rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,394
Reaction score
8,656
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
It should be pretty easy to adjust 2 7 ft long quads on a 18ft trailer to get tounge proper.

My trailer is also 84 inches wide and tows stable.

The GC has a 114.7 in Wheelbase. Same as a regular cab long box ranger. Id feel comfortable towing the trailer with my ranger and im sure its not nearly as stable as a GC
 


wildbill23c

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
3,917
Reaction score
578
Location
Southwestern Idaho
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
215/70-R14
My credo
19K, 19D, 92Y, 88M, 91F....OIF-III (2004-2005)
I did some towing with both my 1st gen Grand Cherokees with the 4L I6 engines in both and never had any issues with 3-4k...I did tow my car trailer with a full size Bronco on it once with the Jeep but don't recommend that kind of weight and was way over the 5k towing capacity of my Jeep, it did it, but stopping is a far more important issue than getting something moving. A newer Grand Cherokee shouldn't have any problems pulling a trailer with a couple toys on it. An open/flat bed type trailer is far less of an issue than a travel trailer or cargo type trailer would be. With trailer brakes you'll be fine pulling that trailer...granted you ain't gonna win any races, but it'll do it. You get crap for fuel economy of course, so you may want to re-think just using your F250 for towing duties period the Jeep will get the same or worse fuel economy than your F250 pulling the same trailer.
 

ryan

Forum Administrator
Administrator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
3,484
Reaction score
968
Location
Wayne, PA
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
6.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Tire Size
42
we had a 2015 w/ the 3.6 and it was good, went to the durango with the 5.7 for the third row. back in a 20 GC with the 3.6 and the 8 speed now.

The drivetrain is all proven at this point. I'd be more concerned about the trailer than the weight, does it have good brakes etc. I've never seen a 3.6 eat a cam, but I also never actually saw a 3.8 with oil consumption issues. The 3.6 unloaded will cruise all day and get good mileage doing it. comparing it to whatever a half ton truck gets is insanity, even in the 5.7 flavor. Our durango with the 8spd was easily getting 20 highway, 15 city in real world driving, and is much heavier than the GC. my truck 5.7 was getting 15/10 with the 6 speed auto.

IMO they're great comfortable SUVs and my wife loves hers. I still prefer my truck or the E550
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
33,353
Reaction score
20,521
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I've never seen a 3.6 eat a cam, but I also never actually saw a 3.8 with oil consumption issues.
Coulda showed you a tickin' 3.6 T&C today if you stopped by lol
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,394
Reaction score
8,656
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
You get crap for fuel economy of course, so you may want to re-think just using your F250 for towing duties period the Jeep will get the same or worse fuel economy than your F250 pulling the same trailer.
I doubt this 3.6 is even capable of burning as much fuel as my 460 gets under normal circumstances. The 250 gets 9.5-10mpg pulling it.

we had a 2015 w/ the 3.6 and it was good, went to the durango with the 5.7 for the third row. back in a 20 GC with the 3.6 and the 8 speed now.

The drivetrain is all proven at this point. I'd be more concerned about the trailer than the weight, does it have good brakes etc. I've never seen a 3.6 eat a cam, but I also never actually saw a 3.8 with oil consumption issues. The 3.6 unloaded will cruise all day and get good mileage doing it. comparing it to whatever a half ton truck gets is insanity, even in the 5.7 flavor. Our durango with the 8spd was easily getting 20 highway, 15 city in real world driving, and is much heavier than the GC. my truck 5.7 was getting 15/10 with the 6 speed auto.

IMO they're great comfortable SUVs and my wife loves hers. I still prefer my truck or the E550
So far i like it. Getting around 21mpg cruising mostly rural 2 lanes at 60mph. Comfy as hell...has a good solid feel to it im happy.

The unibody/irs makes me nervous long term but we'll see.

Would i of rather had a Superduty? Absolutly...but if i bought a nice truck id rarely drive it, woulda paid a bunch more, and wouldnt use it for half the shit i use my current 97 for.
 

Eddo Rogue

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Messages
4,035
Reaction score
2,528
Location
Burbank,CA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
skyjacker front leveling kit
Tire Size
31-10.50R15
My credo
Crossed threads are tight threads.
Isnt a Durango pretty much a Grand Cherokee?? Maybe better options on the Dodge?
Naw, a Durango is more like a ram 1500 frame with an SUV on it.
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,394
Reaction score
8,656
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Naw, a Durango is more like a ram 1500 frame with an SUV on it.
Actually the durango and GC are very similar. Both are unibody/IRS. Both use ram pickup drivetrains, biggest difference is wheelbase, 3rd row on the durango and the Jeep is a bit more off road oriented (avalable low range t case, selc-terrain, and a bit more clearence).
 

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
8,547
Reaction score
4,870
Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.
Actually the durango and GC are very similar. Both are unibody/IRS. Both use ram pickup drivetrains, biggest difference is wheelbase, 3rd row on the durango and the Jeep is a bit more off road oriented (avalable low range t case, selc-terrain, and a bit more clearence).
That's basically the jist of my comment, but explained better. (y)
 

ryan

Forum Administrator
Administrator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
3,484
Reaction score
968
Location
Wayne, PA
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
6.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Tire Size
42
Actually the durango and GC are very similar. Both are unibody/IRS. Both use ram pickup drivetrains, biggest difference is wheelbase, 3rd row on the durango and the Jeep is a bit more off road oriented (avalable low range t case, selc-terrain, and a bit more clearence).
the GC/durango have the 5.7 and 8speed as a v8 option, but the base models are all 3.6s. i believe they're car 5.7s, not truck 5.7s as well, but i'm not totally sure. the truck 8 speed has slightly different internals from what I understand too, though i've never looked at part numbers to confirm
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,394
Reaction score
8,656
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
the GC/durango have the 5.7 and 8speed as a v8 option, but the base models are all 3.6s. i believe they're car 5.7s, not truck 5.7s as well, but i'm not totally sure. the truck 8 speed has slightly different internals from what I understand too, though i've never looked at part numbers to confirm
i was of the understanding the 3.6/5.7 were the same as the ram pickups as were the trans behind both engines.

Maybe not...thats what i read on a jeep page.
 

wildbill23c

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
3,917
Reaction score
578
Location
Southwestern Idaho
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
215/70-R14
My credo
19K, 19D, 92Y, 88M, 91F....OIF-III (2004-2005)
i was of the understanding the 3.6/5.7 were the same as the ram pickups as were the trans behind both engines.

Maybe not...thats what i read on a jeep page.
They are the same, just tuned different for different applications...err...power outputs.
 

ryan

Forum Administrator
Administrator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
3,484
Reaction score
968
Location
Wayne, PA
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
6.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Tire Size
42
i was of the understanding the 3.6/5.7 were the same as the ram pickups as were the trans behind both engines.

Maybe not...thats what i read on a jeep page.
I thought the 3.6 in the ram was a hybrid, but tbh I'm not invested enough to look it up. I like my 6.4 way more than my 5.7 truck
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
33,353
Reaction score
20,521
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I thought the 3.6 in the ram was a hybrid, but tbh I'm not invested enough to look it up. I like my 6.4 way more than my 5.7 truck
Not really, Etorque which has an electric motor to increase torque.

Not really a normal "hybrid"

 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,394
Reaction score
8,656
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
I thought the 3.6 in the ram was a hybrid, but tbh I'm not invested enough to look it up. I like my 6.4 way more than my 5.7 truck
It has start/stop on the 3.6...which is annoying. The 5.7 is the only ones with etorque/mds
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
33,353
Reaction score
20,521
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
It has start/stop on the 3.6...which is annoying. The 5.7 is the only ones with etorque/mds
Oh yeah, for jeep. Etorque is standard for both the 3.6 and 5.7 for ram.

I despise the start stop in my wife's Bronco to a level words cannot describe.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Rick W
October Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

25th Anniversary Merch

Follow TRS On Instagram

25th Anniversary Sponsors

TRS-3 Ford Ranger Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top