Author |
Share Topic Topic Search Topic Options
|
lostagain
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2587
|
Topic: R Pod 192 Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 8:02am |
As ususual, OG is an optimist.
Knowingly towing beyond a vehicle's capacity in some states is a violation of their vehicle codes and if there was an accident, there could also be criminal penalties; in the event of a fatality, even a vehicular manslaughter charge.
|
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
|
|
offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
|
Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 6:28am |
By rear axle I meant the rear suspension system as a whole. Could be the springs.Take a look at the door stickers, that will tell the tale.
In the end it doesn't really matter. This is a place where the manufacturer's spec will prevail, however they got to it. You can of course always do whatever you want, its your vehicle, but if you exceed the manufacturer's ratings and have a wreck towing, an argument that this jeep should be like that jeep because this or that component is the same as on this other model won't get you very far in court. You might never make it out of debtor's prison after the lawsuits.
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
|
podwerkz
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966
|
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 10:55pm |
It's actually printed as 3.55, three decimal five five, but of course pronounced verbally as three-fifty-five.
|
r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
|
|
mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419
|
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 7:08pm |
flryder,
Actually rear axle ratio has a considerable effect on tow capacity. Most manufacture's stay around 355 to balance fuel economy and tow capacity. So the lower the number the better economy, the higher ratio better tow capacity. Most folks when shopping fail to consider axle ratios. I always try to average economy and towing.
|
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
|
|
podwerkz
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966
|
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 3:46pm |
Originally posted by flryder
I wonder why the Grand Cherokee has a higher tow rating and payload rating?
|
Make sure that you are comparing apples to apples...
Check in your owners manual to see if the ratings are SAE J2807 ratings, and if possible, do the same for the other vehicle.
Maybe they aren't rated under the same standards, or maybe no standard test condition is used at all for either or both.
|
r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
|
|
flryder
Newbie
Joined: 10 Jun 2020
Location: Bradenton, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16
|
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 12:36pm |
The Dana 44 has been in various full size pick up trucks over the years and is now also in the Gladiator which is rated to tow up to 4500 lbs. So I don't think it is the rear axle that gives a Wrangler the limitations in towing ratings.
|
Dan
|
|
offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
|
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 5:15am |
Originally posted by Colt
The sticker on my 180 says 2749 dry weight. After adding sheets and towels, cleaning supplies, dishes and pots for 2, a tiny bit of food, water, sewer and electric hook-ups, a bottle jack and lug wrench and battery and propane (all with a keen eye for minimizing weight), my 180 weighs 3122 pounds. Its options and I added 350 pounds with the minimum stuff, except for the bottle of wine and bourbon, to be ready to hit the road. I will argue with you about the beverages. ;-) . |
Considering that 50 lbs of that is the water sitting in the water heater, you're doing really well. To compare, my 179 comes in at around 3700. I always have 250 lbs of water and dual batteries so that explains about 320 lbs. The 179 is also a bit heavier supposedly than the 180, and I have a "real" mattress, so add another hundred or so. I'm still a couple hundred pounds heavier. I haven't ever fully emptied the trailer to compare my dry wt to FR's spec but I suspect it is heavier than they claim.
I'm not a fan of bourbon but as long as you don't ingest it as part of getting ready to hit the road you won't get an argument from me.
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
|
offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
|
Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 4:59am |
Originally posted by flryder
The Wrangler I have is a 4 door, many of you may have assumed it is a shorter wheelbase 2 door. When I compare it to the same year Grand Cherokee which is rated to tow 5000 lbs with the same engine and transmission I find some interesting information:
JKU GC wheelbase 116 114.8 track 61.9 64.1 rear axle Dana 44 Mercedes 195mm IRS towing capacity 3500 5000 payload 880 1840 weight 4397 4632 design body on frame unibody with sub frame
I wonder why the Grand Cherokee has a higher tow rating and payload rating?
|
Seems like its gotta be the rear axle capacity. Check the rear axle max load numbers, not usually published but they should be on the door stickers. Note that you do not get both the payload and the towing capacity at the same time. Best to weigh the axles loaded for travel (without the wdh tensioned) and be sure that those weights are all in spec along with the trailer weight, tongue weight and the MCGVW.
You can't count on the wdh because its effectiveness changes with uneven road surfaces (higher when you go through a swale, lower when you go over a berm), so the stress from the tongue on your TV is still there. It certainly helps with ride quality and steering effectiveness though. I notice it also helps with front/rear brake proportioning. Modern vehicles have load sensors at each wheel and send more hydraulic pressure to the wheels with higher loads, so when towing you end up with too much braking action at the TV rear. The wdh helps that but you'll still go through rear brake pads faster towing that not, at least I do.
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
|
jalong
Newbie
Joined: 25 Jan 2015
Location: Fredonia WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31
|
Posted: 25 Jun 2020 at 6:02pm |
Grand Cherokee tow rating with the towing package is 6,200 lbs with the base 3.6L engine. The three optional engines have a 7,200 lb tow rating.
|
John & Sue
2016 179 - built in April 2015
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L 13-16mpg with 179 - 21-28mpg without
|
|
flryder
Newbie
Joined: 10 Jun 2020
Location: Bradenton, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16
|
Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 12:59pm |
The Wrangler I have is a 4 door, many of you may have assumed it is a shorter wheelbase 2 door. When I compare it to the same year Grand Cherokee which is rated to tow 5000 lbs with the same engine and transmission I find some interesting information:
JKU GC wheelbase 116 114.8 track 61.9 64.1 rear axle Dana 44 Mercedes 195mm IRS towing capacity 3500 5000 payload 880 1840 weight 4397 4632 design body on frame unibody with sub frame
I wonder why the Grand Cherokee has a higher tow rating and payload rating?
|
Dan
|
|