Recommended Weight Distribution System With Sway Control For 2001 Rockwood Trailer  

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Expert Reply:

Using a bigger weight distribution system will not increase the towing capacity of the 2000 Grand Cherokee. In my research I found the towing capacity for your Jeep is 5000-lbs, so trying to tow a bigger trailer may not be the best option.

I recommend making sure your Jeep has the towing capacity for any trailer you want to tow. In my research I found the Rockwood trailer you are towing weighs about 2300-lbs so you want to find a weight distribution system that works with your trailer. If you get a much larger system like the # FA92-00-1200, the springs bars are going to make the ride very stiff and uncomfortable.

When choosing a system you want your total tongue weight to fall near the middle of the tongue weight range for the system. Total tongue weight is the tongue weight of the trailer when it is full loaded and ready to tow added to the weight of any cargo you add behind the rear axle of the towing vehicle. Typically it is estimated to be about 10 to 15 percent of the trailer.

For example, if your trailer with water, food, or any other gear weighs about 2600 lbs, you would have a tongue weight that should be about 390 lbs. Add approximately 250 for cargo in the back of the Jeep so you have about 640. The system I recommend is the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution, part # FA92-00-0800. This system has a max tongue weight capacity of 800 lbs. The system has sway control to help keep the trailer from sway when in high winds and passing large trucks on the highway.

if at a later date you want to upgrade the system you can just replace the trunnion and the spring bars to accommodate the bigger trailer.

Since the hitch ball is sold separately I recommend part # A-90 for a 2-inch ball and part # EQ91-00-6100 for a 2-5/16 inch ball.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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