weight distribution hitch

[kikeehn]

Duvalbirder,
Welcome to the forum, I to am interested in getting the 2720SL. But first I'm waiting for information on the new RISE.
What I want to ask you is what you think about your 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4 with Factory Tow package. I probably won't be getting my TV for 3 or 4 months since I need to wait for my current lease to be at least2 years old.
You can message me your opinion if you want, and that we we won't take up space on this thread.
That's the TV I plan on getting and I would like an honest evaluation of it.
I plan on using a WDH anyway because living in AZ, we do have the mountains.
Bill and others I know this post belongs on the TV thread, but I noticed Duvalbirder's post.
NOTE to Davlin, what Duvalbirder failed to mention is that the Grand Cherokee has a Class 4 hitch, not a class 3 like TM.

[Kwantau]

As you can see I drive a GC 2013 now for two years and pull a TM2720. I can guarantee you that you need a WDH. The factory rating of the receiver is 350lbs. undistributed weight and 500lbs with a WDH with a maximum 10.000lb pulling capacity. Besides of the hitch safety ratings, the WDH brings your headlights back down by putting more weight on the front axle. The head lights otherwise bother your oncoming traffic. The factory user manuals are adamant about the WDH being necessary. They even mention not to exceed 40 square ft. of frontal trailer area. Take it from me who at first pulled the TM with a Jeep Liberty since 2011 and the last two with the CG. YOU NEED THE WDH. It is a class 4 hitch by the way

[YNPKing]

Originally Posted by davlin

Welcome DuvalBirder!

You're going to have a fantastic time with your "new" TM. This is the best place to get rock solid answers to your TM specific questions.

Bill should have included a point #3 about WDH's, although with a 2720 it's probably not a concern, but you should still check.

3. Even if you do not exceed your GAVW-R, and your tow vehicle is acceptably level when connected to your TM, you need a WDH if the tongue weight of your trailer exceeds the maximum "undistributed" capability of your hitch. Said another way, if you had a Ford F550 with the biggest diesel engine that you could get, and 38,000 lbs. of towing capacity, but it came with the same factory hitch as my F150, you would have a 500 lb "undistributed" rating on the hitch. That means if your trailer tongue weight exceeds 500 lbs (all 3124 models, and I think 2922's?) you need a WDH. I couldn't find the factory hitch tongue weight capacity for a Grand Cherokee, but I bet Padgett has it!

Dave

I think the TV weight specs may have changed in recent years. I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 with 20" wheels. My Owners Manual says, 3.6L engine, model 4x2, frontal area 55 sq.ft. with max. GTW 6,200 lbs. and max. trailer tongue wt. 620 lbs. I don't use a WDH and I have never had any towing issues; however, my 2014 TM is a 2417 Sport. I think the real reason for no issues is the 2417 axle/wheels are set back further than on the other models providing more tongue weight.

Dan

[LoveToCamp]

Don't call me Padgett , but I am going to stir the pot.

I had a 2007 GC with factory tow package. I also had a 2417 Sport that weighed 3500 lbs loaded for a week of camping. I did use a WDH, and it made a huge difference in the attitude of the vehicle. Without the WDH, I had my lights shining into the sky.

Duvalbirder, you said you are having a "factory tow package installed tomorrow". If it is not still being built (at the factory), how complete is the tow package? I don't know, but it seems like there are some heavier-duty parts installed at the factory that can't be retrofitted at the dealer. Wires, fluid capacities, etc. As I said, I don't know, but I would wonder what is going to be missing.

Also, you didn't say if you are getting the package with the leveling system in it. If so, the manual says you must use a WDH. I have the package, and when I hook-up without the engine running, my rear end sags down to the stops (maybe I need tighter jeans!), and does not come up until I am driving about 20 mph for a mile, or so. Just something to be aware of.

[stormpeakco]

Should we find it essential to safely tow a '15 2720QB (w/'14 Durango-factory tow package, including rear load leveling suspension) with a WDH, we are more likely to purchase the Blue Ox sway pro system (6000GTW/550TW).

Do the folks w/ the sway pro systems in this thread have the 'clamp on' (vs. 'bolt on') rotating latch for the TM 'A' frame? thanks.

[Padgett]

Its OK just the GC went through a major redesign for the 2011 model year (same platform as Mercedes GL) Mine is a 2012.

I do have the 3.6 with factory tow package and since mine is RWD (heretical but I have never needed 4wd) all the towing pacage included was the class III/IV receiver hitch, full wiring for both 4 and 7 pin (Bargman which the TM uses), and a full size spare tire. No load levellers, no special springs.

I have a 2006 2720SL with 460 lbs Tongue weight and everthing is within limits with a comfortable margin.

My normal tow speed is 65 mph with excursions to 70 as needed. It has been nothing but stable and have never noticed any tedancy to sway or seen the traction control (part is the anti-sway) engage. The TM is one of the sweetest towing trailers I have pulled.

There are a lot of mythconceptions about WDHs and when they are required. My owner's manual says "A friction/hydraulic sway control mechanism and a weight distributing (load equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier trailer tongue weights (TW) and may be required depending on Vehicle and Trailer configuration/loading to comply with gross axle weight rating (GAWR) requirements."

Frankly I've never felt the need for one and have not wanted to add any load to the TM axle (mine came with a 3500 lb axle). Similarly I went with 205x75R15 LRD tires so not to have to raise the CG.

My GC rear drops about an inch and the front about a 1/2" when the TM is connected & is not enough to materially affect sight lines or headligh aim. I have a pair of air lifts but have never bothered to install them. Will if I get a round tuit.

As mentioned, a GC is either built with the factory towing package or not. A dealer can add a hitch and wiring but is not the same. Key is to get the factory receiver and not an aftermarket since the factory unit is a class IV and mounts in line with and inside the "frame rails". This requires a cutout in the valence and will have both electrical connectors. Anything underslung below the valence isn't factory.

If you want to know more about towing a TM with a 2011-2015 Grand Cherokee than you ever wanted to, contact me offline. It is the best tow car I have ever owned.

[kikeehn]

Padgett
Thank you very much for your most complete post on the GC.
You've filled in the blank questions I've had. If I need any further info, I'll message you. Thanks, Kerry

[Kwantau]

Stormpeakco as to your question about the Blue Ox wdh.

the Blue Ox sway pro system (6000GTW/550TW).

"Do the folks w/ the sway pro systems in this thread have the 'clamp on' (vs. 'bolt on') rotating latch for the TM 'A' frame? thanks."

I still have the old lever system that Blue Ox had at the time and it works great. The rotating latch system I tried to retrofit does not fit. My RV dealer lend me a couple of rotating brackets to see if they would fit my 2720 swing tongue, and I tell you they don't on the swing tongue. They are much wider than the older style brackets and don't fit far enough forward as they hit the pivot pint of the swing hitch. I had wanted to change them out as the rotating latch is much easier to use. Even using the older style brackets I had to slightly notch out the "C Style" anti sway device to be able to install it on the left WDH bracket. Other than that hiccup the Blue Ox has been a great unit.

[stormpeakco]

Actually, I believe I was just reading one of your earlier posts (from a couple years ago re: Blue Ox) this morning. Thank you (twice). We do not have the innovative swing hitch since our storage unit will accommodate a 2720 w/rear bike receiver hitch (w/ about 6-8" to spare).
So it seems likely the clamp on rotating latch system (rather than bolt on) will fit on a standard '15 TM trailer 'A' frame w/ manual crank tongue jack, two propane tank and tongue mounted battery box-two 6V)?

It seems unlikely that our loaded tongue weight will exceed 500# (and the GTW will ever exceed 4250). What has been your (and others) usual measured 2720 loaded tongue weight (just pondering the BXW0550 vs. 0750 model-Dodge Durango with factory tow package/rear load leveling susp and primarily driving in the Rockies)? thanks. Dave

[tentcamper]

I have had 4 WDH's since starting to tow campers. The first 2 were welded heads and every time you changed a TV or camper you needed a new head welded. I used a stand alone sway controller. The next was a 1,200 LB reese with and an adjustable head the integrated sway controller. I was so impressed when I first saw an adjustable head. Now I have the basic reese 600 lbs with a stand alone sway controller.

Operational wise, I did not feel or see any difference in handling these WDH's other than if the sway controller was built in or not. Never had a sway issue with the integrated or standalone sway controllers. I liked the round bar the best for hooking up and there was less noise. But I went to a 600 lb trunion bar for greater ground clearance with the TM, which sat low without the lift kit installed. Now with the lift kit, I may have gone with the round bar.

This last time around, I went with the lower price reese, because I have not seen the value of the higher price WDH's.