Hitch drop on grand Cherokee trailhawk

mona
mona Posts: 246
in Trailer & Towing
If you are towing with a grand Cherokee trailhawk, what hitch drop are you using?

jeannie
2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
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Comments

  • Vikings
    Vikings Posts: 147
    I have a GMC Terrain...and three different ballmounts/differing drops.  Perhaps I should have used Forum for a suggestion as you have wisely done! 
    Kim & Mary Kay,  2016 CS-S,  Spokane, WA


    Map of Provinces I Visited

  • BigGrover
    BigGrover Posts: 450
    I have multiple trailers with different hitch heights.  Bought an Andersen Adjustable hitch.
    BigGrover
    2019 T@b 400 Boondock Lite
    2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Hemi
    Central Alabama
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    edited April 2018
    I am using a 2" drop on my GC Trailhawk.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    Explain why a 2 inch drop. Tongue weight?  I keep getting 51/4. Spare still under back and just propane and battery on tongue. Maybe it’s just me. Lol
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    Jenn, dang just remembered, you have the higher axel. Makes sense now. Silly me. 

    Jeannie
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    @mona new TV?

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    Yup
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    Correction on the drop. It is actually a 5 inch drop, not 5 1/4. Sorry for the misinformation. 

    Jeannie
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    @mona does your GC have the self-leveling suspension? You might want to measure the drop with the trailer connected.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    Yes it does. I was wondering about that. Will check and report back. How much of a difference did it make on yours Jenn. 

    Jeannie 
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    mona said:
    Yes it does. I was wondering about that. Will check and report back. How much of a difference did it make on yours Jenn. 

    Jeannie 
    To be honest, I have never paid attention. I will try to remember to measure before hooking up next time. I do know that it is always perfectly level when I am hooked up, which makes for a nice smooth towing experience!

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • BigGrover
    BigGrover Posts: 450
    I have found that setting the ball height on the TV about 1" higher than the top of the coupler ( measured when the trailer is parked level before hooking to the tv) is  usually pretty good. ie top of trailer coupler is 18" high from groundbset hitch nall to 19", hook up trailer and see if its level.  Usually pretty close, 
    BigGrover
    2019 T@b 400 Boondock Lite
    2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Hemi
    Central Alabama
  • Silver320
    Silver320 Posts: 29
    We have a 2017 JGC Trailhawk and use an 8" drop.  It looks level while parked.  From what I've read Park Mode is the lowest position and is 1.5" lower than Normal Ride Height (NRH) and Aero Mode (highway speed) is 0.5" lower than NRH.  So however it looks parked it will be 0.5"-1.5" higher while driving.    
    2017 T@B Max S (Silver-Silver), TV 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    Silver320 said:
    We have a 2017 JGC Trailhawk and use an 8" drop.  It looks level while parked.  From what I've read Park Mode is the lowest position and is 1.5" lower than Normal Ride Height (NRH) and Aero Mode (highway speed) is 0.5" lower than NRH.  So however it looks parked it will be 0.5"-1.5" higher while driving.    
    Regular T@b or boondock/outback axle?

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Silver320
    Silver320 Posts: 29
    @jkjenn regular T@B Max S
    2017 T@B Max S (Silver-Silver), TV 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

  • mona
    mona Posts: 246
    8 inch, and tows like a dream!
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    edited April 2018
    Here it is parked. I do have the Outback/boondock axle, but hard to imagine going from a 2" drop to an 8". This was my Overland with Quadralift.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    jkjenn said:
    I am using a 2" drop on my GC Trailhawk.
    Wrong! I went and looked at what I had ordered and it was actually a 4" drop. 

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • ColleenD2
    ColleenD2 Posts: 580
    Oh my gosh! So much to learn. We just got our new TV and I am headed to get the 4 pin converted to a 7 tomorrow. I need to buy the hitch ball mount thingy and have no idea what to even buy, we’ll have a T@B 320U Boondock Lite. The TV is 2018 Ford Edge SEL AWD. Any help or direction would be appreciated.
    2019 Custom T@B 320 U Boondock Lite-ish
    Custom Colors & Custom Interior
    We've slept in 34 states, 2 countries & counting
  • T_BDancing
    T_BDancing Posts: 85
    edited September 2019
    Hi @jkjenn, @mona and @Silver320, or anyone else with recent JGC, I have 20" wheel on my '19 JGC High Altitude with tow package. If you guys do a 8" drop, do I do 10"? Or should I just get one of those adjustable ones? How do you deal with the different heights on the air-suspension while parking, NRH(normal ride height) speed under 50mph(I think) then after(aero)?
    Towing and trailer camping are all new jazz to me, but I have been reading through this forum and have learned quite a bit. Really appreciate all info from everyone. Still have tons of question marks in my head though... 
    Hope to pick up a 2019 320 S Boondock Edge in 3 weeks and like to get ready one step at a time. Thank you for all your help.
    Tent to trailer w/TV: 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude 3.6L
    2019 Tab 320 S Boondock Edge and get me out of NYC!!!
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    T_BDancing said:
    Hi @jkjenn, @mona and @Silver320, or anyone else with recent JGC, I have 20" wheel on my '19 JGC High Altitude with tow package. If you guys do a 8" drop, do I do 10"? Or should I just get one of those adjustable ones? How do you deal with the different heights on the air-suspension while parking, NRH(normal ride height) speed under 50mph(I think) then after(aero)?
    Towing and trailer camping are all new jazz to me, but I have been reading through this forum and have learned quite a bit. Really appreciate all info from everyone. Still have tons of question marks in my head though... 
    Hope to pick up a 2019 320 S Boondock Edge in 3 weeks and like to get ready one step at a time. Thank you for all your help.
    You won't have to do anything to the suspension, it will take care of itself. The self-leveling is beautiful. I only needed a 4" drop hitch and I have the boondock axle and wheels/tires.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • T_BDancing
    T_BDancing Posts: 85
    Oh right, @jkjenn, I didn't realize that the boondock has been 'raised'. Thank you for pointing it out. Does that mean I will need a 6" drop with 20" wheels?
    Yes, the self-leveling suspension is awesome.

    Tent to trailer w/TV: 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude 3.6L
    2019 Tab 320 S Boondock Edge and get me out of NYC!!!
  • Silver320
    Silver320 Posts: 29
    @T_BDancing - something to consider, your JGC may not be taller since sometimes tires with narrower side walls are installed to compensate for the larger rims.  So the diameter of the rim + tire is the same no matter what rim size is used.

    2017 T@B Max S (Silver-Silver), TV 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

  • T_BDancing
    T_BDancing Posts: 85
    True. Thank you, @Silver320.
    Tent to trailer w/TV: 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude 3.6L
    2019 Tab 320 S Boondock Edge and get me out of NYC!!!
  • Travelin3D
    Travelin3D Posts: 175
    The other way to look at it is that the coupler height on the BD Edge when level should be about 18”. Use whichever drop will give you that ball height.
    Richie, Mickie and Satchmo
    2020 320S Boondock Lite (silver w/blue)
    2019 Subaru Ascent Premium
  • ColleenD2
    ColleenD2 Posts: 580
    We bought this and have been sooo happy with it. Adjustable.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007M2PGI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    2019 Custom T@B 320 U Boondock Lite-ish
    Custom Colors & Custom Interior
    We've slept in 34 states, 2 countries & counting
  • CJax
    CJax Posts: 62
    My TV: 2018 JGC Trailhawk. The self-leveling suspension is as described by @Silver320 above.

    My TT: 2021 T@B 400 Boondock.

    My dilemma: The dealer set me up with a 2" rise on the hitch. It didn't look right, but he insisted it was. It didn't feel right either driving. I thing the TT is way too high. I haven't gone to scales, but my TPM showed my rear tires going up in pressure way more than my fronts whilst driving compared to when there is no TT.

    I think the hitch should be neutral at best and maybe down to a 2" drop, which would mean my dealer missed by like 4".

    Anyone here have a self-leveling JGC Trailhawk and a 400 Boondock that can chime in on what works for you?

    Cheers,
    C
    2021 T@B 400 Boondock 'Valhalla'
    2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk V6
    veni, vidi, bibi capulus
  • NovaTab
    NovaTab Posts: 91
    edited September 2021
    I have a '21 and the drop is 3 1/4", not sure why it's not just 3", but tows like nothing is there at upwards of 75mph.

    If anyone can explain the leveling system or a link to info it would be appreciated


    2021 TaB 320 Boondock, Gran Cherokee TrailHawk

  • Tabulating
    Tabulating Posts: 88
    @Mona We have a 2021 GC Limited with self-leveling suspension.  We tow a regular 400, not a boondock.

    We use a 5 1/4 drop. We have the Nivomat shocks that self level our GC.  The Nivomats will only level after a bit if a drive. So we did that and at the end of the drive it was dead level.

    Some GC come with air suspension that allow you to not only level for towing loads, but also your ride height in general. I am not sure which type of suspension is on your Trailhawk

    So, 5 1/4 is probably too much drop for you.

    Here is a link on Nivomats.

     https://www.brakeandfrontend.com/nivomat-shock-absorbers-self-leveling-monotube-ride-control-units/


    Bill
    2018 T@b 400  towed by a 2012 JKU

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