We are considering the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited for our next car. Mainly down to price and towing capacity.
It comes with 20" wheels. However, someone said that in order to get the towbar that's capable of 3,500kg towing we'd need to get the smaller 18" wheels (and its higher profile tyres).
The Jeep dealer is closed so I can't call them to ask about this. So, can anyone verify this?
Thanks
Martin
Hey Jim said
03:40 PM Oct 17, 2015
If it were my money I would not.
Read further in the search area to find out more.
So many problems as well as replacement parts, the list go's on and on.
Good luck IMO.
Jaahn said
04:58 PM Oct 17, 2015
mjt57 wrote:
We are considering the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited for our next car. Mainly down to price and towing capacity.
It comes with 20" wheels. However, someone said that in order to get the towbar that's capable of 3,500kg towing we'd need to get the smaller 18" wheels (and its higher profile tyres).
The Jeep dealer is closed so I can't call them to ask about this. So, can anyone verify this?
I do not know so should not comment on it really but googling the specs I see this; Tires Front 265/50 R20 Rear 265/50 R20.
Towing - Braked2268kg
My comments are only why you would go anywhere with 50 profile tires. Look good perhaps but unsuitable for anywhere but on a racetrack The world has either gone mad or just been conned
If I had a choice I would get some high profile tires any time for a decent ride and suitability for the roads I drive on.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Saturday 17th of October 2015 04:59:18 PM
mjt57 said
05:09 PM Oct 17, 2015
Jaahn, the petrol model has the 2,268kg towing limit. We're looking at the diesel which is 3,500kg
As for those tyres, 90 to 95 % of the driving will be (a) on sealed roads and (b) without the van. And with the van we definately won't be going off road for any extended periods.
I might have to pull out of the deal, I think. I'll see what the sales person has to say first, whether we can work out a swap for the higher profile wheels. They have a few Laredos in the yard. Swap with one of them, perhaps at no cost (who knows, the Laredo buyer may love the idea of big wheels).
aussiebottlo said
05:39 PM Oct 17, 2015
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, the dealer swapped the wheels and tyres for no cost (as the should) from a Laredo. The only reason I did this is I travel a lot on country roads. Like Jaahn said leave the low profile tyres for racing.
I tow a 3200kg van no problems, comfortable to ride in plenty of power and touch wood no problems as yet.
John
Explorer said
02:06 PM Oct 18, 2015
Martin,
I would be inclined to talk to a tyre retailer. If You do decide to have a day trip here and there are the low profile tyres going to stand up to a little bit of rough work? I once made the mistake of travelling the Oodnadatta track in standard tyres. Sure I got through but was expensive.
A friend has a 7 month old Grand Cherokee for sale cheap if You want a very low Klm used car. Has spent more time with the service dept than with Him.
Mike.
Gunny said
08:44 AM Oct 19, 2015
Hi MJT57
I have a WK1 JGC Limited with the low profile tyres. I have travelled 66,000 km mostly towing a 2.8t caravan. The original Kumhos lasted 50,000km and now have Coopers Zeon LTZ and I must say are sensational - just like the Jeep. I travelled the Oodnadatta track in early August with no problem (car only - left van at Marla).
In my travels over the last 7 months I have encountered over 60 JGC owners towing caravans and NONE have had any problems and around 30% had the 20" rims.
I firmly believe that ALL people who say not to buy one don't own one.
As I said, I have not had a problem with the low profile tyres as long as you maintain the correct tyre pressure while towing - but that applies to all vehicles.
Gunny
dirvine said
11:05 AM Oct 19, 2015
Not that I want to be a party pooper. But in the 4WD fraternity, JEEP stands for Just Empty Every Pocket! and for very good reasons. Now this could be based on the past models. But it does raise questions. Its not so much their 4WD capability, but rather when things break, and they do even driving on tar roads, the costs can be very prohibitive!. Often it is a small sub part. But you cannot buy the small part. Only the whole item. Also the Dana diffs in the Jeeps are one of their known weak points, so towing may only make the matter worse. Mind you they do give you a lot of bang for your buck, but if I was after a tow vehicle and you want 4WD, then look at the Australian proved vehicles. Mind you I drive a Great Wall, so I am not pushing one make over another. Just reporting what I have read. Before you purchase maybe a look at a Jeep Owners Forum, must be a good place to browse through.
03_Troopy said
11:20 AM Oct 19, 2015
I'd have to agree with other comments about wheels and tyres. If you intend to do a bit of off road driving, you'd be better off with smaller rims and higher profile tyres. Low profile may handle smooth dirt roads or sand OK, but gravel roads with chunky rocks will destroy your low profile tyres in no time, regardless of correct pressures. Roads with varied surfaces can have deep loose sandy patches interspersed with rocky outcrops that appear through the surface. If you lower your pressure for the sandy areas, the rocky bits will pinch your tyre between the rock and the rim. Personally I wouldn't drive on less than a 65 profile and prefer at least a 70 profile for best all around off road driving.
Brisand said
07:32 PM Oct 19, 2015
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and have spoken with many other owners in caravan parks, I Have never had one who has any major problems, I have had a Mercedes, an Audi Q7 and the Jeep, the Jeep are the equal of any vehicle and the best value.
malken said
07:44 PM Oct 19, 2015
Another vote for Jeep. I have a GC Laredo and have towed a 3000 kg van for 50,000 k's with no problems.Jeep knockers are living in the past, the later models are giving good service. Never heard or seen anything on forums regarding diff problems with the later models. I used to be a Patrol tragic but there is really no comparison.
Have a look at the caravannersforum, there is a thread of something like 300 pages on the Wk jeep.
-- Edited by malken on Monday 19th of October 2015 07:47:54 PM
03_Troopy said
11:28 AM Oct 20, 2015
I thought the OP was asking about wheels and tyres anyway, not about who's 4wd is better than the other
Jaahn said
12:31 PM Oct 20, 2015
03_Troopy wrote:
I thought the OP was asking about wheels and tyres anyway, not about who's 4wd is better than the other
Hi,
Yea some people just can't resist can they. Like school kids pissing up the wall behind the shed.
If people want to drive their choice of vehicle, that's their right to. We did actually give an opinion on what was asked originally.
Jaahn
Aus-Kiwi said
10:55 PM Oct 20, 2015
Depends on condition of tyres and what is available ? Higher profile tyres maybe available on the Std rims ?
Not as good as -1 in tyre size.. Another option ..
We are considering the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited for our next car. Mainly down to price and towing capacity.
It comes with 20" wheels. However, someone said that in order to get the towbar that's capable of 3,500kg towing we'd need to get the smaller 18" wheels (and its higher profile tyres).
The Jeep dealer is closed so I can't call them to ask about this. So, can anyone verify this?
Thanks
Martin
If it were my money I would not.
Read further in the search area to find out more.
So many problems as well as replacement parts, the list go's on and on.
Good luck IMO.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Saturday 17th of October 2015 04:59:18 PM
As for those tyres, 90 to 95 % of the driving will be (a) on sealed roads and (b) without the van. And with the van we definately won't be going off road for any extended periods.
I might have to pull out of the deal, I think. I'll see what the sales person has to say first, whether we can work out a swap for the higher profile wheels. They have a few Laredos in the yard. Swap with one of them, perhaps at no cost (who knows, the Laredo buyer may love the idea of big wheels).
I tow a 3200kg van no problems, comfortable to ride in plenty of power and touch wood no problems as yet.
John
Martin,
I would be inclined to talk to a tyre retailer. If You do decide to have a day trip here and there are the low profile tyres going to stand up to a little bit of rough work? I once made the mistake of travelling the Oodnadatta track in standard tyres. Sure I got through but was expensive.
A friend has a 7 month old Grand Cherokee for sale cheap if You want a very low Klm used car. Has spent more time with the service dept than with Him.
Mike.
Hi MJT57
I have a WK1 JGC Limited with the low profile tyres. I have travelled 66,000 km mostly towing a 2.8t caravan. The original Kumhos lasted 50,000km and now have Coopers Zeon LTZ and I must say are sensational - just like the Jeep. I travelled the Oodnadatta track in early August with no problem (car only - left van at Marla).
In my travels over the last 7 months I have encountered over 60 JGC owners towing caravans and NONE have had any problems and around 30% had the 20" rims.
I firmly believe that ALL people who say not to buy one don't own one.
As I said, I have not had a problem with the low profile tyres as long as you maintain the correct tyre pressure while towing - but that applies to all vehicles.
Gunny
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and have spoken with many other owners in caravan parks, I Have never had one who has any major problems, I have had a Mercedes, an Audi Q7 and the Jeep, the Jeep are the equal of any vehicle and the best value.
Another vote for Jeep. I have a GC Laredo and have towed a 3000 kg van for 50,000 k's with no problems.Jeep knockers are living in the past, the later models are giving good service. Never heard or seen anything on forums regarding diff problems with the later models. I used to be a Patrol tragic but there is really no comparison.
Have a look at the caravannersforum, there is a thread of something like 300 pages on the Wk jeep.
-- Edited by malken on Monday 19th of October 2015 07:47:54 PM
Hi,
Yea
some people just can't resist can they. Like school kids pissing up the wall behind the shed. 
If people want to drive their choice of vehicle, that's their right to. We did actually give an opinion on what was asked originally.
Jaahn
Not as good as -1 in tyre size.. Another option ..