Grand Cherokee vs 200 series

[Numb Thumbs]

LOL!!

have you noticed how the 4WD press doesn't post the sales figures for vehicles anymore? I wonder who told them to stop?

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

[Benn0]

My FIL has a 200 series, I was talking to him on the weekend about why the GC is so popular, and I suggested that for towing around 3 tonnes, its hard to beat the GC for money.

His thoughts were that it was too light and with the independent rear wasn't as stable for pulling big vans. I don't know if that is the case, seems to be others out there who tow well in the GC, but that was his view.

I don't tow, so couldn't really disagree with him.

[hotqld]

There is a push by some caravan organisations not to believe what the manufacturer specifies as the towing capacity and they have their own formular caravan ATM 77% max of the tow vechiles loaded weight.
That puts the JGC 2800 X 77% = 2156kg max caravan
Toyota 200 3300 X 77% = 2541 max caravan weight.
This is all based on European rules.

see: JGC does not rate very well at all.
http://caravanbuyersguide.com.au/tow...aravan-weight/

And more on it...they say tug loaded should be 1.3Xthe caravans ATM.
http://media.wix.com/ugd/74afe1_64d4...adc777b390.pdf

We break their recommendations and tow a 2750kg caravan with the JGC, but have all the safety stuff done, HD suspension, WDH, friction sway bars...that tends to control it well....but thats all USA stuff not EU like the above are pushing.

[fwdjeep]

Originally Posted by hotqld

There is a push by some caravan organisations not to believe what the manufacturer specifies as the towing capacity and they have their own formular caravan ATM 77% max of the tow vechiles loaded weight.
That puts the JGC 2800 X 77% = 2156kg max caravan
Toyota 200 3300 X 77% = 2541 max caravan weight.
This is all based on European rules.

see: JGC does not rate very well at all.
http://caravanbuyersguide.com.au/tow...aravan-weight/

And more on it...they say tug loaded should be 1.3Xthe caravans ATM.
http://media.wix.com/ugd/74afe1_64d4...adc777b390.pdf

We break their rules and tow a 2750kg caravan with the JGC, but have all the safety stuff done, HD suspension, WDH, friction sway bars...that tends to control it well....but thats all USA stuff not EU like the above are pushing.

But that are not the current rules in Australia
So why discuss it ?
It does highlite the dangers of what may happen in the future if our government is stupid enought to adopt europen rules
Current the Grand Cheokee has a certified manaufactures towing capasity of (for the Diesel 3.5 tons)
Say no to Europe and there stupid rules

[Benn0]

I don't think it is about the 'rules', but what is considered a 'safe' configuration for towing. Seems some caravan owners would prefer a heavier vehicle for the safety aspect.

[hotqld]

They are recommendations being put forward by respected Australian organizations like:
http://www.caravancouncil.com.au/

To the general public and you can bet there is some govt lobbying happening.

[TimM]

Some interesting reading there hotqld; thanks for posting that. I've towed with Grands for a number of years and reckon that at the upper end of the legal towing weights (say, above 3000KG) the 200 Series, or the full size Patrol, is a better proposition than the GC. In just about all other respects, especially value for money, I rate the Grand as a better all round proposition as a 4x4. I guess, that's why I'm on my third!