Parts Needed To Tow 20 5000lb Airstream Trailer W/ 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee W/O Tow Package  

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Expert Reply:

While the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13065 you were looking at for your 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee may work with your 20' Airstream Trailer with a GVWR and unloaded hitch weight of 565lbs, you would need a weight distribution hitch just to tow the trailer unloaded as the 565lb tongue weight exceeds the standard 500lb tongue weight rating of the hitch.

Instead I recommend going with the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV- 2" # DT38MR which is also confirmed to fit your Grand Cherokee but has quite a bit higher ratings at 900lbs tongue weight and 7500lb trailer weight, or 1125lb tongue weight and 7500lb trailer weight if using a weight distribution hitch.

Since the weight of your trailer is nearly the same as your Grand Cherokee I also highly recommend a weight distribution hitch.

To confirm which weight distribution hitch will work the best for your setup you will need to determine the total tongue weight of your setup. Total tongue weight is the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to tow trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your vehicle. The easiest way to get an accurate tongue weight rating is with a tongue weight scale like the # e99044 but there are other methods outlined in the included help article.

Since you mentioned the GVWR of your Airstream is 5000lbs and tongue weight is typically 10-15% of the trailer weight you should expect to see 500-750lbs tongue weight if the trailer is loaded to the GVWR.

More than likely the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW
# FA92-00-0800 will work perfectly for you as it works with total tongue weights ranging from 400-800lbs. I really like the Fastway hitches as they are very high quality for the price, and the built in two point sway control does a great job of keeping your trailer straight while going down the road. This hitch does not include a hitch ball so you will need either 2" hitch ball # A-90 or 2-5/16" hitch ball # 19286.

If you find your total tongue weight exceeds 800lbs then you will need to step up to the # FA92-00-1000 which works with total tongue weights between 600-1000lbs. This hitch also does not include a hitch ball so you will still need either 2" hitch ball # A-90 or 2-5/16" hitch ball # 19286 to match the coupler on your trailer.

Lastly since your trailer is over 3500lbs it should have electric trailer brakes installed. If that is the case and you do not already have a 7-way connector installed you will also need the # 118727 and the # ETBC7 if you are planning on using a traditional trailer brake controller, or the option I recommend is the # ETBC7L and the Curt Echo # C51180.

The Echo installs directly into the 7-way connector and does not require running any wires inside of your Jeep or drilling holes to mount a traditional controller.

I also recommend checking the towing section of your Jeep to verify its towing capacity, and making sure not to exceed those ratings.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

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