Need tow vehicle advice for my 2014 210: JGC or GMC Yukon Denali

[tvaleri]

I have a 2014 Nautique 210 that I typically take to a lake about 10 miles down the road. It weighs about 6500 pounds loaded on the trailer. It's a flat run with about a half mile 1000' climb at the end. Occasionally I take my boat to another lake 45 miles away that's a 5000' climb. I've decided that I'll need to borrow a buddy's truck whenever I do that. My 2012 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.2L (maybe 6.4l for all I know) has been my tow vehicle to this point. It does fine on the lower elevation lake, but screams for mercy going to the higher lake. My transmission has even gotten to 260 degrees the two times I've done that run. I'm now to the point that my GMC's lease runs out in 2 months. I'm kind of tired of driving something so big and I'm thinking of getting the new Jeep Grand Cherokee with the larger gas engine. Do any of you have any thoughts on the Jeep GC'c towing versus the GMC's ability for the towing requirements I described?

[cedarcreek216]

I would be concerned with the weight ratio on steep declines with the Grand Cherokee. It would scare the life out of me having something as big or bigger pushing down on me during a 5000' decline. Trailer brakes or not that would be intimidating.


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[Dandy21]

I would be concerned with the weight ratio on steep declines with the Grand Cherokee. It would scare the life out of me having something as big or bigger pushing down on me during a 5000' decline. Trailer brakes or not that would be intimidating.


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Agree with statement above! Keep on mind that not only to question "will it tow" but just as if not more important "will it stop". If these trailers had electric brakes vs. Surge brakes it may be different with regards to stopping.

Put your local dealer to the test and get them to hook up your boat and see how it tows. We have had dealers allow us this in the past.

Good luck and stay safe.

[Quinner]

Take a look at the diesel JGC, buddy has one, we towed his boat down to NC & back through the mountains of WV and it did an amazing job. His boat/trailer is maybe a 1000lbs lighter and was not bullying the truck around at all. The diesel with 8 speed trans was super smooth, tons of power and got decent fuel mileage. Pulling power much better then my Tahoe and not a huge noticeable difference in stability vs the Tahoe. Was definitely impressed, very nice vehicle.

[tvaleri]

Quinner, that gave me some confidence in the JGC, although I'd prefer the JGC with the 5.7L Hemi V8. I will generally only pull my boat on flat land to Millerton Lake on 10 miles away. If I ever bring my 210 up to Shaver Lake at 5000', I'll be sure to use by buddy's diesel F-250. I have enjoyed my GMC Denali, but I'm really tired of driving such a huge beast and I really don't like the new body style.

[shag]

I would be concerned (like those above) about stopping in a panic and not having as substantial of a platform to stop with. If you are just occasionally going to the other lake, is a brand new vehicle worth it? If I did get the JGC I would opt for the diesel as well. Better torque (needed for the hills) and better fuel economy when not towing. Quitter what kind of mileage did that get (with and without towing)?

[81nautique]

The Jeep Quinner is referring to is mine. 2014 with the 3 litre diesel. I just towed my 200 sport 460 mile round trip and and averaged 17.7 mpg at 65-70mph. I get 27 combined without the boat and on the highway I've gotten up to 29.7 at 70 mph. It really is a serious contender, we've got 35,000 miles on ours in 1 year and absolutely love it.

[mf01]

I towed my Sport with my wife's 2012 Jeep GC (with 3.6l) a couple of times. It was probably 4000-4500lbs, so not as much. It did fine for the 15 miles to the lake as far as stability. It was the 3.6l, so power could have been better.

All of that being said, I lean towards the bigger vehicle. I got a 2013 Ram Hemi which was probably over kill, but liked the capability (10,050 lb towing capacity).

[shag]

The Jeep Quinner is referring to is mine. 2014 with the 3 litre diesel. I just towed my 200 sport 460 mile round trip and and averaged 17.7 mpg at 65-70mph. I get 27 combined without the boat and on the highway I've gotten up to 29.7 at 70 mph. It really is a serious contender, we've got 35,000 miles on ours in 1 year and absolutely love it.

That is awesome mileage towing!!!

[81nautique]

That is awesome mileage towing!!!

Yes it is , Thank you. I was hesitant going with the new somewhat untested Diesel but am so glad we did that. The 3.6 v6 gas motor was out of the question as I've towed with under powered vehicles before and didn't want to go backwards. The hemi is certainly capable of getting the job done but if the JGC is to be used as your daily driver like ours is it's hard to swallow the horrific mileage that motors gets even unloaded, loaded up it's dreadful. The diesel seemed like a pretty good choice. My neighbor just bought a Ram 1500 but went with the Hemi over the diesel and even though he's driven mine I don't understand his thinking on that. Some people just have to have the V8.

There are still valid objections to the diesel but most are the old school issues. There is NO black smoke, NO exhaust odor any more. Currently Diesel is .40 cents cheaper than gas but that swings both ways in and out of favor. The mileage over gas is unreal towing or not. The 3 litre eco diesel has more torque than the Hemi although has considerably less HP. Therefore the Diesel is not going to win many drag races but will pull you farther and easier than most gas options. On that trip with Quinner we pulled those West Virginia mountains with the boat behind us and we easily ran 80 mph at times and the motor never complained, it drops a gear and climbs with ease. 8 speed transmission is amazing and gear 7 and 8 are both overdrive, very rarely did we even drop down into 6th gear on a grade. Flip side of that is Quinners Tahoe is much roomier than the JGC and does ride nicer, it's simply a bigger truck.

There is DEF fluid to contend with but honestly I put in 5 gallons at a time for $25 and forget about it for about 5000 miles, not a big deal.

Main thing that ticks me off about diesel is most fueling stations are filthy and if you get any fuel on you you may stink all day at work. Other thing is even if there are 16 pumps at a station and only 2 combination diesel/gas pumps there will always be a yahoo using the diesel pumps to dispense gas. I always get behind the guy that after filling leaves his car there, goes inside for a dump, coffee and whatever then comes out and before moving checks his email, facebook, text messages, etc LOL

[Quinner]

The Jeep Quinner is referring to is mine. 2014 with the 3 litre diesel. I just towed my 200 sport 460 mile round trip and and averaged 17.7 mpg at 65-70mph.

As a real world comp, we towed Alan's 200 with my 5.3 Tahoe on a similar trip, A/C on, 4 adults & a Thule cargo box on the roof we were barely making double digit MPG. With my 206 in tow the Tahoe will be in the 14-16 range. So yes, that little Diesel is really impressive, the 8 speed made downshifts on steep climbs hardly noticeable.

[azeus17]

81-
What do you figure your payback mileage is for the HUGE up charge for the diesel? I have tried to justify it several times and it never works out. I bought a diesel jetta wagon used last year and do love the mileage, but am starting to really miss the functionality of my truck. The used diesel still commands a premium, but not nearly as much. I wish I was wherever you are...diesel here in MI has not dipped below the price of gas. We got equal a few months back, but has since stayed roughly .40 above.

As to the OP-
My wife has a 14 JGC with the 3.6. My 02 210 pushes that thing around pretty good at right around 5000 lbs. I would not feel very comfortable going down grades. Going up wouldn't bother me as much because that 8 speed is pretty sweet.

Edit: Right after posting this, I went to lunch and noticed diesel was 2.51 and regular unleaded was 2.57, so it has dipped below. I guess that is another good benefit of the diesel...very few stops at the station!

[JoeA]

Jeep Grand Cherokee Eco Diesel is great. 420 ft lb torque and 27-30 MPG on highway. Towing results will vary. If it meets your towing needs you will not regret the Eco Diesel.

I live on the lake so no I do not tow the G23 with it but it's a great daily driver (I drive 40K+ miles per year) and tough buggy to pull your tow boat.

[Shockthis]

Here is a picture on there website (jeep )pulling either a g23 or g21
http://www.jeep.ca/en/2015/grandcher...lity?fueleco=1

[81nautique]

Azues,

I didn't get hung up on the payback on the upcharge for the diesel. We are essentially a one car family so I needed a vehicle that got great daily mileage and could haul a 5000# boat comfortably. If you look at all the options there's not a lot that meet that criteria. Most good tow vehicles are just too big and thirsty for a daily driver. I've towed for the last 10 years with an under powered gas v6 and there was no way I was going that route again. Specific to the JGC, the diesel is really only $3000 upcharge over the Hemi not an insurmountable amount to overcome to me to meet my demands of a dual purpose vehicle. In 13 months ownership we've put 36,000 miles on it and 7500 of those were in 3 road trips towing. We own 2 boats and tow every weekend, many times leaving straight from work on a Friday night. We grab the boat and drive 110 miles to our campsite.

To the original poster, the JGC with either the diesel or Hemi will pull that boat fine but you are getting up towards it's capacity which is 7200#. It's always a tough call when your that close, in my case I've got 2200# of leeway and 2 towing axles with disc brakes to help out. It's a very surefooted rig.