smmgc

I apologize if in the wrong area. I just purchased a travel trailer that has unloaded weight of 2385 and dry hitch weight of 171 - 16ft in length. I drove this trailer home with my 04 Honda Odyssey but had difficulty climbing small hills and going over 60. I am debating purchasing a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6. The tow rating on this vehicle is up to 5000lbs where the Odyssey is at 3500lbs. Would the Jeep do better to tow with as the Odyssey has more HP but less torque? I appreciate all of your feedback

wingless

Welcome to the forum!

The Grand Cherokee w/ the V8 is a great tow vehicle. The 6 cyl might be okay.

There is a dash pushbutton to disable overdrive when towing. Use that pushbutton.

dave1123

Okay, a couple of things. The 99 Grand Cherokee has a straight 6, not a V6. It is, however, a 4.0 liter torque engine and very durable. The O/D lockout button is on the side of the shifter lever. With the O/D locked out, you'll be running in 3rd gear which is direct 1:1 ratio. These vehicles come with a "tow package" option which has a factory hitch, an aux trans cooler, extra cooling fan, and a lighting module that converts the 6 light system to the trailer's 4 lights, as well as lower axle gearing. The standard jeep has 3.55 gearing and the tow package ones have 3.73 gearing. The difference is not much, but removes some of the strain on the driveline.

The aux trans cooler is easy to spot in front of the radiator. If the one you're looking at doesn't have one, I suggest you install one to reduce the heat caused by the torque converter when towing.

One good way to check the axle ratio is drive it in 3rd gear at 60 mph. With the standard tires (29.5" diameter), the engine should be at 2500 rpms with 3.55 gearing. With the 3.73, it will be slightly higher.

I deliver newspapers with mine and have had almost a ton of papers aboard it times. Except for braking, I don't have a problem driving it that way.

JMHO, but I wouldn't tow much over 60 mph. Remember wind resistance increases as the SQUARE of the speed.