Re: [A/S] Re: jeep grand cherokee as tow vehicle

["Craig Eldridge" <craig_e@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

My '77 Excella 31' was too much trailer for my '92 Chevy Z71 4X4 regular cab 
shortbed with 5.7 engine and 5 speed manual transmission.  While the 
performance could have been helped with a 3.73 or 4.10 rear end (it had the 
3.42), even those would not have helped once the trailer was loaded.  Dry 
weight of the 31' is 5340 lbs.

Going to the 2500hd extended cab 4X4 with 8.1 and Allison 5 speed auto trans 
helped greatly.  Weight was just over 6,200 lbs. loaded and I travel light.  
I recently purchased an '85 Sovereign 25' with a dry weight of 4900 lbs. but 
I have not weighed it on a scale yet.  They make a perfect combination in my 
opinion.  Only a Duramax diesel would slightly improve the towing 
performance from my perspective.

Dry weights of some other years such as the '80 20' Caravelle 2539 lbs, '81 
20' International 2,700 lbs., and then the '87 Sovereign 23' models run 
around 4,300 lbs.   You will find that as you enter the 90's the trailers 
increase in weight as compared to the same lengths for previous years.  This 
is the reason many are looking at vintage units of shorter length so that 
they may be towed by smaller vehicles.  I would not even consider towing my 
latest addition with a Jeep Cherokee.

Taking this into consideration, you will be safer by going with a longer 
wheelbase vehicle and a smaller trailer.  A friend tows a 21' Carrylite 
trailer with a shortbed Ford pickup with the 300 cu. in. 6 cylinder, manual 
transmission and it tows like a wonder.  The inline 6 is a fine engine and 
the pickup has a long enough wheel base to make it work.  I'm not trying to 
talk you out of an Airstream but into a more appropriate tow vehicle.  
Either that or go with the popup and start saving for the combination you 
want further down the road.  Good luck.