Re: [A/S] Grand Cherokee and Safari

[rtrimbach@xxxxxxxx]

Hunter,

Thanks for your thoughts and the post from the other list. Good point 
about it not being a tow vehicle. Although a Grand Cherokee is no 
Suburban, I don't feel it is in anyway comparable to a regular 
Cherokee (longer wheelbase, substantially heavier, etc.). Lumping 
them together would be the same as saying the old S10 Blazers and 
full-size Blazers are about the same. Not quite as big of spread with 
the Jeeps, but still substantial.

I'm not sure how much of the Jeep "problem" with a high incidence of 
rollovers is from vehicle design and how much is a driver problem. As 
much as I hate to say it, there are a lot of jerks that gravitate 
towards Jeeps. The go anywhere, do anything mentality problable also 
factors into a higher number of accidents.

From my own experience, I did not have a problem towing a large 
(7,000 pound, 25') boat many miles with my last Grand Cherokee. 
Although not the best setup, I'd do it again without reservation. 
What I'm not sure of is how different the new model of the Grand 
Cherokee is towing a large load (I currently tow a smaller boat which 
is no big deal). My other concern is how different a travel trailer 
is in tow verses a similar size boat. Although there is much more 
surface area, I would have to think in most regards it would tow 
better with a decent hitch setup. With my prior boat experience, it 
was just a weight carrying hitch. I would think with a weight 
distributing hitch, sway control (or a Hensley Arrow$$$), and 
electric brakes, it would be a more comfortable towing setup. 

I'm still hoping to find a few people that have towed similar sized 
trailers with the current generation of Grand Cherokee and see how it 
has worked out for them. Obviosly I'm not totally comfortable using 
this as a "tow vehicle" and not sure if I will.

Lots to think about.

Bob