Jeep GC V6

[Viking60]

Looking for a new tow vehicle since I just totaled mine!

Tow vehicle is my only car and I was towing my 19 with an older Jeep Grand Cherokee V8.

I am looking at a new Grand Cherokee V6 with the heavy duty tow package that is rated for 6200lbs with a WDH.

FEEDBACK FROM ANYONE THAT IS TOWING WITH THAT VEHICLE, ENGINE AND HD TOW PACKAGE OUT WEST THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS!!!!

I’m certain that for much of my towing the V6 will be fine! I would never load the TT to top weight or my payload. Travel mostly solo!!!

If I have to get the V8 for mountain areas I will shell out the extra $$, but if the V6 is adequate for travel in mountain areas I’ll save the money and gas mileage for everyday driving!!!

I read a bunch on here and am really looking for feedback from someone that has this set up!

Don’t say buy a truck!!! Not driving a truck everyday😬

[Brian B-P]

A quick Google search for "cherokee" and "V6" in EscapeForum.org yields a few relevant discussions.

[Viking60]

Thank you Brian!!! I got more info that way than using the search on the forum page! I find the forum page tricky to navigate!!

[dkirk]

We have pulled our Escape 19 with our V6 2016 GC with tow package. We live in the Rocky mountains and find it pulls fine through the big hills. The self levelling rear suspension works well (not Air suspension).

Dave and Kim

[Viking60]

Thanks!!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by dkirk

We have pulled our Escape 19 with our V6 2016 GC with tow package.
...
The self levelling rear suspension works well (not Air suspension).

That's the Nivomat system of self-levelling damper/shock absorber units by ZF Sachs. They're a clever solution to self-levelling.

Anyone adjusting hitch height or weight-distributing hitch settings for a vehicle with Nivomat needs to drive around over enough bumps to let the Nivomats finish adjusting before evaluating the resulting tongue and suspension heights, but apparently that's usually not very far - just around the block or around the parking lot should do it.

[Phlip]

2020 JGC V6 4WD 6200lb. HD Tow Package + Fastway WDH 94-00-0600, mated to 2021 ETI 19 (Matilda). Maiden voyage April 21, round trip Vancouver BC, Whistler, Fraser Canyon, Okanagan, Thompson-Nicola Regions, varying terrain & temperatures without any issues or compromise. Excellent power delivery, stable, comfortable, good overall fuel economy 17L/100km, made good use of "Sport Mode" akin to trailer tow mode on hills/inclines. Infotainment system has useful "Jeep Off Road Pages" (It's a Jeep thing) to monitor/gauge transmission/oil/water temps, pressure etc. JGC platform with V6, 8 speed transmission has proven reliability and solid build quality. Hope this helps with your decision making process.

"Its not the problem, its how you handle the solution"

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

That's the Nivomat system of self-levelling damper/shock absorber units by ZF Sachs. They're a clever solution to self-levelling.

Anyone adjusting hitch height or weight-distributing hitch settings for a vehicle with Nivomat needs to drive around over enough bumps to let the Nivomats finish adjusting before evaluating the resulting tongue and suspension heights, but apparently that's usually not very far - just around the block or around the parking lot should do it.

yeah, I had several Volvo wagons with rear Nivomat. it just takes a few bounces of the suspension to pump them up. when the Nivomat shocks wear out, tho, the back of the vehicle sags badly if its got any load in it, as they are mated with weaker-than-normal springs.

[kernwig]

Originally Posted by Viking60

I am looking at a new Grand Cherokee V6 with the heavy duty tow package that is rated for 6200lbs with a WDH.

FEEDBACK FROM ANYONE THAT IS TOWING WITH THAT VEHICLE, ENGINE AND HD TOW PACKAGE OUT WEST THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS!!!!

We have the 2014 model of that vehicle and an E21. We're very happy with the combination. Fuel economy doesn't change much when towing. We've taken it up and down some famously steep inclines in Southern California without trouble, but not yet through the rockies. Just learn to use the break controller and down shift going down, and take it slow going up; you'll be good.