Jeep for towing caravan?

[Rickb]

I am looking for some advice from Jeep owners, particularly Cherokee and Grand Cherokee owners in relation to towing caravans. I currently own a 91 GQ Patrol with an RB30 engine on dual fuel. My van is a 17 foot single axle with a GTM of about 1500 kg. Our previous van was a little one and lighter, and the GQ handled it OK, struggled on big hills though. Have just done a trip from Gold Coast to Gosford and back and the GQ sucked gas like it was going out of fashion whilst towing, and every other mongrel with a van and Tojo, big patrol, Ford etc just blasted past us.

My queries revolve around the 4 litre and 3.8 litre petrol engines in the Jeeps. What are they like on economy and has anyone towed with them much. I have done a bit of research, and from what I can read, if they are looked after they are a pretty reliable and bullet proof package. I would like a turbo diesel, but don't know if the pennies will stretch far enough, and also the extra servicing costs have to be taken into account. There are quite a few Cherokee's and Grand Cherokees in my price range, but they all seem to be petrol engines anyway. Also, what is the auto transmission like for towing. I favour the auto, as my wife finds it too exhausting when driving the GQ towing to concentrate on revs, correct gear selection etc.

My economy in the GQ is petrol 14-16 litres/100 normal driving, 21 - 23 litres/100 towing. LPG 19 -21 litres/100 normal driving, 29 - 33 litres/100 towing the van.

I would be pleased if anyone could give me advice from experience, thanks.

Rick

[Steve F]

Cant help with the towing query but can tell you the petrol only comes in an auto and both engine a gearbox (Aisan Warner) are a good solid bit of gear. A stock XJ (4.0lt) will have better economy than the GQ figures you quoted with around 11/100 on the freeway and 14/100 around town.

Hopefully someone who tows can help with the rest.

Cheers
Steve

[myjeep2000]

Hi Mate,

In my opinion you would be better off looking toward the V8 Grands.

The 6 cylinder is not that much more economical with fuel and with towing may actually be worse.

The 4.7l is fantastic on fuel even with towing. Plenty of grunt and still able to give reasonable fuel efficiency if not driven with too much loud pedal.

I am getting fuel efficiency of 14l per 100km with my 4.7L with around town driving and that is with an ok offroad setup. I towed a tandem trailer with my mates Falcon on the back and that figure rose to 20ish but that was in traffic - I thought was ok. Performance was great.

I love my Grand - would recommend it to anyone. Just remember though - there are not as many mods available as the Tojo's and Nissans - my only complaint!

[hillsjeep]

I used to tow an 18.5' caravan (about 2000kg loaded) with my 4ltr XJ cherokee. Had absolutely no problems at all, but as you said I keep it very well maintained. Never really took note on what milage I was getting, but could sit on 110kph with no issues and 80kph up hills.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/vk3220/Untitled-2-1.jpg

[tasar]

serious look at any jeep with the v6 3l crd in the wh grand or XH commander or the 2.7l crd WG

these jeeps are just outstanding towing vehicles - all get great economy either towing or not

the v8 grand is very good - had one for 3 years - found the fuel bill too high and have swapped to a patriot crd - no need for towing anymore

[wooders]

I've towed a far bit with our 4.0L XJ and I think it's not bad for a 1500-1700kg van...but any heavier I'd look for another vehicle.
Even though they are rated to 2.2 odd ton, and I have towed upto about 3t behind ours - it did cost me a cooked engine.....
The 4.0L will be heavy on the juice when in the hills - and I recommend if doing a lot of towing getting a larger transmission cooler.
My biggest gripe is the brakes - Standard they just aren't really upto hauling heavy loads to a stop.
HTH.

[ejnshaz]

well mate i have a 1998 zg grand limited with the 4.0L engine and i tow a 2500kg horse float from orange through the blue mountains, before the jeep i had a manual 1993 pajero v6 and a 1997 patrol TD both manual and the jeep beats them both, it gives 100% if you ask for it and i cant fault it at all. its also not that bad on fuel, is heavier when towing but i can still get 500km's to a tank fully loaded, hope this helps.

[Rickb]

Thanks for the advice guys. In the end, I decided to buy a Explorer, mainly because that was the one the missus liked the best. Performance wise they are pretty similar, but the Explorer had a bit more inside space, and I liked the V6 engine, as well as the fact there are more Ford dealers spread around the country.

I had a test drive of a Jeep Grand Cherokee and was really impressed, but had to go with SWMBO in the end.

cheers,

[tasar]

hope you don't plan to do offroading with the explorer ....the clerenance and entry and departure angles are poor to say the least

good luck with it - jeeps are no one for huge interior space but make up for it in the fact they love a dirt road

[myjeep2000]

Rick,

Good luck with the Explorer. I can understand the attraction - I was torn between my Jeep and the Ford.

Tasar is right about the offroad stuff but the Explorer must be a pretty good vehicle - that many Yanks can't be wrong.

[Rickb]

Hard offroading not probably my style, but by all reports and looking at the US Explorer forums, they can acquit themselves reasonably, just not for the hard core stuff. We were actually looking for something that would enable us to leave the van locked up whilst on our big trip next year and get to a few non caravan friendly places with the tent as needs be. Either the Jeep or Explorer are suited to that. As MyJeep said, that many Yanks can't be wrong, and the Explorer was for over a decade the biggest selling SUV in the North American continent, outselling Jeep, Toyota and Nissan. That has to say something, not sure what though. hehehehehe.

Rick

[wooders]

That many yanks sure can be wrong ;)
The explorer would not have been a recommendation I;d give - but understand the sheer power of the SWMBO factor.
Good luck with the new rig.

[disco_nex]

Will be a great tow vehicle for sure, but they did have the name of "Exploder", but i believe that was the series 1 explorer.