Not that I don't appreciate the advice given on here from experienced travellers, this time I would really like to hear just from those who have owned or currently own either a new or late model (2015+) Jeep Grand Cherokee, I'm not really interested in hearing opinions on how unreliable these vehicles are or about supposedly better tow vehicles on the market.
My questions are these - I intend buying the vehicle to pull my 2.7T van (loaded) is it worth spending the extra $10K in order to get the Overland model which comes with the auto levelling air suspension or stay with the Limited model which has all the options I need except for the suspension ? I believe with the adjustable suspension you don't need to use a WDH but without it you may still have to. Should I get the dealer to fit the brake controller, Anderson plug etc. or get an auto electrician to do it after delivery ?
Cheers BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Wednesday 11th of October 2017 10:31:00 PM
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Wednesday 11th of October 2017 10:31:22 PM
We've got a MY14 Overland diesel and tow a 2.5T full height van with it... plus do a bit of off-road stuff. Quadralift suspension is handy for hooking up and gives you height options when negotiating obstacles, either off-road or parking, etc. We overnight a lot and I rarely use the jockey or jacks, as the car can level things effectively. The downside is that local parts are expensive if it plays up once you're out of warranty. I don't consider a failure could strand us as I carry 4x Schrader caps for the air lines like the cluey LandRover guys do. A fully optioned Limited is getting close to Overland pricing. We like the inclusions so chose accordingly. The Overland leather dash causes some owners grief down the track... again, an expensive replacement however it is possible to repair them, especially with the windscreen removed. Some body colours look better in Limited and some in Overland, as the wheelarch trims and entire bumpers are colour coded on the Overland. The Summit is another option, however it has different profile lower trims and this causes some difficulties with related accessories.
Do not get anything fitted by the dealer except for perhaps the towbar itself. I would not get them to wire it, even if completing the task is costed into the towbar installation.
No suspension system can restore weight lost from the front axle due to leverage... so you still need a WDH with the air suspension given the ball weight your van would have. The standard suspension is also self-levelling once under way,but the same applies.
Mine was a Laredo fitted with air bags with 20psi with caravan hitched. My choice was due to the 18" rim size which gave me enough tyre wall height to reduce tyre pressure for driving on soft beach sand (without the caravan) so I can't comment except to say that whichever one you go for, you will end up with a very comfortable tourer. There is a Grand Cherokee dedicated owners thread on the other caravan forum which will give you lots of advice.
I agrre with Barboots about not having the dealer fit brake controllers etc. I always use a caravan repair shop on the basis that they should know what they're doing.
Thanks guys for your feedback, I will probably go with the Limited and forget the Quadralift suspension I will use the HR WDH that I currently fit when towing the van with the Sport. I might even get a HR tow bar fitted as well as the wiring , electric brake controller, Anderson plug, rear camera monitor etc. after delivery as long as fitting non genuine parts doesn't void the warranty or something. There is one other question has anyone ever swapped the 20" wheels for 18" as they would probably be a higher profile and better for towing especially off the tarmac ? My feeling is that all the other options on the Overland that are not on the Limited are nice to haves but are really just something else that could possibly go wrong.
Sorry Bryan I just reread your post and you did mention having 18" wheels and the advantages of, but I was just wondering if anyone has ever asked them to replace the standard 20" wheels on the Limited or Overland models with the same wheels that come on the Laredo.
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Thursday 12th of October 2017 08:17:07 PM
Apparently the 20" rims have a bigger brake profile / diameter so the 18" rim won't fit. I got that from ausjeepoffroad and the reason I went for the Laredo. I spend more time driving on and fishing off beaches than I do towing a van.
All Australian delivered Grand Cherokees (not SRT) have the same brakes. My Overland came with 20"s, however I have Laredo 18''s with Load Range E All Terrains on pretty much all of the time. One of option is to get the dealer to swap... plenty have... another is to hunt down some bargain rims, or alternatively personalise your car with something different to the factory options. Lots of people tow with the 20"s too.
Interesting thread as I've also been considering a move to the Grand Cherokee - not just yet, but fairly soon. A couple we met recently in a CP were in raptures about theirs for many reasons (as this thread is not seeking competitive comments against other makes, thank goodness, I won't detail their reasons but they were pretty convincing). We spent a few days with them and got the chance to really go over the car. They chose the Laredo on the basis of it having all the "bones" of higher spec models, but like me he's happy to use his TomTom instead of inbuilt sat nav, and continue using his WDH. So overall, less expense on frills. And you get the 18" wheels without having to swap! I'm just curious to know if anyone with a Laredo wishes with hindsight they had gone to a higher spec model, and why?
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
Good question Tony I would also be interested in the responses, if we can continue to keep away from the usual "my tug is better than yours" comments we may actually learn something from the people who own these vehicles..
cheers BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Friday 13th of October 2017 12:04:18 PM
Jeeps MAY be a better vehicle NOW. WHo knows, Only time will tell.
Unfortunately they have 40 odd yrs of very bad reputation to overcome first in this country. Electrical\electronic. Setting on fire. Weak unreliable running gear. All in all. not good value for money. In general they didn't turn out much long term reliability in any model. Back in '80's\'90's you couldn't sell them.
That. they have to overcome first. A couple of them aren't too bad looking if you like that style.
I had a coupla second hand dealer mates. We used to buy 3 or 4 4wd's up in Darwin every yr.
Backload 'em to Adel\Melb. sell them on. It usually paid for our trips each yr.
They always said. NEVER send a JEEP down we can't sell those things.
Hah. You couldn't find one up there.
-- Edited by macka17 on Saturday 14th of October 2017 02:15:36 PM
Macca as entertaining as you are I've put my fingers in my ears so I don't have listen to what you are writing........ I'm buying a Jeep regardless so feedback from actual owners is what I'm after.
They could be good rigs now. Certainly getting likes from owners.
Just be careful about the weights in combination is what I'm saying.
HEY. I've had FIVE Nissans. 2 being Patrols.
Read up on what some write about them. Specially my most reliable one. GU 3 ltr.
You can never tell.
Buy and enjoy. and hopefully 10\12 yrs down the rd. (IF I'm still here).
You can laugh at me and my current comments.
Hopefully Hey. Chuckle.
Thankyou, theheaths I went onto the site that you mentioned and read with interest the pages from the dedicated owners group not all of them maybe the 10 most recent pages that dealt with the latest models. The feedback was mostly good but there were also a couple that were not so good but at least with an owners group it never turned into an argument about who had the best vehicle or that certain brands are rubbish as it normally does when the subject of tugs is raised on here.
Thankyou, theheaths I went onto the site that you mentioned and read with interest the pages from the dedicated owners group not all of them maybe the 10 most recent pages that dealt with the latest models. The feedback was mostly good but there were also a couple that were not so good but at least with an owners group it never turned into an argument about who had the best vehicle or that certain brands are rubbish as it normally does when the subject of tugs is raised on here.
BB, imagine the agony endured....3 whole days before the very thing you asked not to happen just broke loose!
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Cheers,
Tony
"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato
Ours is a MY2015 Overland, delivered Feb 2016. We replaced our 2012 Overland to get the 8 speed auto. Dealer swapped the 20" wheels for Laredo 18" without a second thought. They fit and give us a better choice of tyre for the future, as well as taller walls. The choice of models is entirely personal ... we chose the Overland and are totally happy with all the creature comforts including adaptive cruise control. We look after our Jeep, and have no need to compete in theoretical arguments about other makes and models. Ours gives us comfort economy and power better than any of our previous vehicles. Our next tug will be a Jeep.
Thanks Kevin excellent feedback that's exactly the sort of info. that I was after. I really like the Overland model just need to weigh up whether it's worth me spending an extra $10K over the Limited, I will be home In OZ for 10 days in November and my intention is to visit a dealer to check out my options. The Grand Cherokee seems to be very popular here in the Middle East where unlike Australia they are spoilt for choice when it comes to large tow vehicles - too bad they don't tow anything other than maybe a trailer with a couple of camels in it or a load of goats.
Cheers
BB
-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Monday 16th of October 2017 10:55:32 PM
i have the MY12 Laredo Diesel,with quadralift. Ive run through 183000Ks so far with approximately 30000Ks under tow load - currently a Jayco 24.75-2 which weighs approximately 3200kgs fully loaded.
Ive only replaced the transmission compressor and the rear shocks (recently, at 175000Ks). Its been a brilliant tow vehicle and Im hoping to get at least another 100000 to 150000Ks out of it before I need to replace.
Would I pay for the upgraded model? No. I dont need the added bells and whistles and in all honesty the Laredo comes with so many standards that I dont feel like Im missing out on anything.
Would I replace with another Jeep? From a reliability standpoint - YES. From a tow-vehicle standpoint - possibly no. Its been great, reliable, fuel efficient, and comfortable to drive. What I do miss is the power that comes from the LC, so next time around Ill likely go for a LC If the lotto office calls
i hope this helps, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Thanks Craig for your feedback, although an LC would be nice I can't really justify spending the extra $40K required to get a Sahara with a similar level of creature comforts..
) so I can't comment except to say that whichever one you go for, you will end up with a very comfortable tourer. There is a Grand Cherokee dedicated owners thread on the other caravan forum which will give you lots of advice.
I'm buying a Jeep regardless so feedback from actual owners is what I'm after.
