Towing Outback(Direct Drive)

[phospher]

Hey Guys,

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there towing a outback direct drive with a late model pentastar v6 jeep grand cherokee?

I use to tow with a honda ridgeline which was sufficient considering the distance of towing I do. Actually, it wasn't too bad towing my 2008 outback DD.

Now, I have gotten rid of the ridgeline in exchange for a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the V6. It's rated to tow 5k (same as ridgline was) has more horsepower and a little more torque then my ridgeline did and I'm hoping it tows the boat at least as good as the ridge did. Thoughts?

[zabooda]

I would recommend that your vehicle have a tranny cooler and turn off the overdrive. It will save you from having an tranny overhaul in the near future.

[ian ashton]

I have done it before, it is slow as all get-out and pretty poor on gas, but can certainly handle the load - I believe the V6 and V8 are still rated at 7,500 pounds. My current Grand Cherokee is a V8 and it pulls much better, but I never had an issue with any of the 3 V6 WK's I've had in the past. We also have a 4.0L Nitro RT that I am anxious give a shot towing, I imagine the shorter wheelbase will make it a little worse than the Jeep.

[phospher]

I think I may put the tranny cooler in there.. That was one thing I was considering.. And it's nice to know there is a 100K mile warranty on the engine/trans. The tow limit on the Jeep is 5k.

THanks!

[sandm]

keep in mind that it's not as important that the vehicle can get the load going, but more that it can get it stopped in a panic situation.

I'm sure the grand cherokee will be fine, but a nitro? hope i'm not in front of you when to try ;)

[ian ashton]

I think the Nitro and the Grand Cherokee have the same 4wheel disc brakes, and the Nitro has ESC. Looks like the Nitro is rated at 5,000 pound tow capacity.



Jeeps are:
3.0L CRD V-6 W5A580 5-speed 7400
3.7L V-6 W5A580 5-speed 3500
4.7L V8 545RFE 5-speed 6500
5.7L V8 545RFE 5-speed 7200
6.1L V8 W5A580 5-speed 3500


I wonder what that puts my Jeep at, since its a 4.7L but has Eibach suspension intended for an SRT, and its 2WD, lol.

[sandm]

they might have a lot of the same parts ie. engine/brakes, but iirc, the nitro is based on the jeep liberty frame, not the cherokee. no way that liberty is going to keep a 4000lb towboat(trailer included) under control in some situations. that vehicle/frame is not designed to keep that much momentum in check.. comfortably..

but she's your car :)


maybe you're jeep is the red-headed stepchild that dodge built and forgot :) unique with the suspension. maybe a friday at beer-thirty build and they ran out of 2wd parts so they just threw what they had on it and you got a real nice freebie...

[ian ashton]

LOL - Correction - the Nitro is my wifes car!



My Jeep is definitely an odd-ball, but the suspension stuff I did myself. Why on earth someone would have ordered a 2WD V8 Jeep is beyond me, but when I saw it I knew I had to have it, lol.

[sandm]

I would guess that 2wd jeeps are quite popular in the southern states where the 4x4 platform is not needed.
I would think it might be good for a few more mpg's that way and a few $$ off the sticker since you are deleting a driveline.

seems that there have been others posting up suv's with 2wd drivetrains..

now up in your neck of the woods, doesn't make sense at all..

[maxpower220]

If you already traded, is there a reason that you are asking? You are going to pull your boat with the GC.

[parrothd]

I have Grand Cherokee 5.9, way older and higher miles, make sure there's a trans cooler or add one and switch of the overdrive if the trans can't lockup. Since I'm upgrading to a Moomba, I was looking at adding trailer brakes, since that's what really determines your towing capacity.

Don't forget to add in the trailer weight and all the fluids and gear and people... :)

[phospher]

If you already traded, is there a reason that you are asking? You are going to pull your boat with the GC.


Touche. But in short time, I would get rid of her. Just a car, and just money right :)

[dru1974]

I am also going to be towing with a new vehicle this summer....I hope it works out well...we bought a 2012 touareg with the 3.0 liter diesel...really interested to see how I fair. 8 speed tranny...

[dru1974]

Don't mean to hijack your thread

[wolfeman131]

we bought a 2012 touareg with the 3.0 liter diesel

show off! :)

From what I hear you're going to love it!

[dru1974]

Interested to find out how it pulls. Does anyone know anything about its towing ability? Good bad or indifferent

[KG's Supra24]

8 speeds? That is mountain bike territory.

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