Grand Cherokee Trailhawk - anyone have one?

[tarditi]

I've got a 2015 JK Unlimited Rubicon with minor add-ons - no lift or suspension work, still running stock tires.

Lately, I've been entertaining the idea of a 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, but wanted to know if anyone else had one for overlanding.

I would be interested in knowing what tire options they used, too - anything larger than stock?

An additional concern is if my ARB50 would fit in the back - it fits perfectly with my Dosko in the back of the JKUR. I'm traveling with my wife and 2 boys, so all cargo needs to remain out of the dedicated passenger areas.

 

[mb1k]

Can't tell you if the ARB 50 will fit, but I have a 2016 TH and there have been TH members than can run 265 KO2s without a lift and no rubbing. I've got the stock Firestone Destinations in 245 with no issues. When these run out of tread I'll be looking at 265s and the Dobinson lift (additional 1" on the TH), but no hurries. The TH is more than capable as is. It's not my Commander, but it's somewhere between a Subaru and a Grand Cherokee. Here's a light video of my shake down run 3-days into ownership.

[video]https://youtu.be/4N7V3GY4K9M[/video]

 

[paroxysym]

I've got a 2015 JK Unlimited Rubicon with minor add-ons - no lift or suspension work, still running stock tires.

Lately, I've been entertaining the idea of a 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, but wanted to know if anyone else had one for overlanding.

I would be interested in knowing what tire options they used, too - anything larger than stock?

I know stock theyre coming with 265/60r18... which is like a 31x10.5. Ive seen guys with the older models running 275/65r18s(32x11) on their trailhawks.

 

[Weeds]

We have the limited with all the offroad extras. Skid plates, low range. I changed the tires at 3500 miles, the Michelins just did not cut it. We went with Cooper Discoverer ATP from Discount Tire. There was a big improvement in on road handling. We have not had any problems off road but have not been in mud and snow yet.

We just got back from Death Valley. The only off road we did was Echo Canyon. Not too hard, one small ledge we used low range on, mainly to get the air suspension to its top height. Most of the trail is loose round rocks. I would add a photo but cannot get the hang of adding photos. I do think an Exterra we met was surprised to see the GC up in the canyon. Especially since we had lowered the suspension to the entry height.

 

[Jason911]

ARB 37/50 will fit with zero problems(dimensionally they have the same footprint, although the 50 is 3.1" taller), but it does chew up roughly half the cargo space. The rear boot is not terrible expansive, even less so with a storage drawer and/or fridge. I know first hand. Rooftop cargo boxes are a nice option, And Christophe Noel had a nice write up a month or so back. http://expeditionportal.com/field-tested-yakima-showcase-15-cargo-box/

275/65R18 are the tire limits as to the quadra-lifts(and different tire manufactures have different results), might see a tiny bit of rub in normal ride height or aero mode.

Coil cars offer a bit more options as far as tire sizes, but a Trailhawk can't be had with coils so one is kind of stuck - you can't get the electonic limited slip rear differential WITHOUT getting quadra-lift, so there to your kind of stuck. And no manufacturer as of yet makes a aftermarket LSD for the rear.

 

[Hawkz]

When I replaced the tires on mine, I went with Duratracs in the same size as the originals. The wheel wells are really not very big on my 2013 GCTH.

I know the head lights and grill have changed on the newer models, but I'm not sure about the wheel wells.

 

[Jason911]

I concur - stock tires on the earlier models - save for the 2013 TrailHawk - were woefully inadequate, hardly worthy of the trail rated badge that adorned certain models. the 2017 Has Goodyears follow-on generation of Kevlar reinforced tires that should markedly improve the vehicles driving dynamics.

 

[tarditi]

And Christophe Noel had a nice write up a month or so back. http://expeditionportal.com/field-te...-15-cargo-box/

That's the article that got me thinking of a GCTH!
I've had many jeeps; an MJ, lots of wranglers (YJ, TJs, and now my JKUR) and a couple grand cherokees. I loved our ZJ but hated our 2005 WK.

My biggest concerns were if the fridge would fit and what tire options I have with the quadra lift... the stockers wouldn't cut it, and frankly, I've not had a jeep get more than 20k miles on the stock tires before they wear out or wear out their welcome. The BFG MTs on my JKUR will last, but I'm always a bit white knuckle in the rain - would prefer BFG AT KO2s.

Thanks for the advice so far - anyone with pics or build/setup info for the late model GC WK2 would be welcome.

 

[Comanche Scott]

I saw this at EJS in 2015, and about drooled all over my shirt. Minus the yellow headlight covers, I think this concept is awesome. :beer:
Since they were really pushing Mopar Performance, I was hoping to see a lot of this come out in the parts market.

It doesn't answer your fridge question, but just watching that video again got me excited.

 

[Weeds]

We have the limited with all the offroad extras. Skid plates, low range. I changed the tires at 3500 miles, the Michelins just did not cut it. We went with Cooper Discoverer ATP from Discount Tire. There was a big improvement in on road handling. We have not had any problems off road but have not been in mud and snow yet.

We just got back from Death Valley. The only off road we did was Echo Canyon. Not too hard, one small ledge we used low range on, mainly to get the air suspension to its top height. Most of the trail is loose round rocks. I would add a photo but cannot get the hang of adding photos. I do think an Exterra we met was surprised to see the GC up in the canyon. Especially since we had lowered the suspension to the entry height.

I forgot to add, the 50 qt ARB fits with the back seat up. Our back seat usually stays down since there are only two of us. The ARB refer stays in the GC for shopping trips unless it moves to the JKU.

We power the refer from the outlet in the back of the GC and use the tie down points in the back with cam lock straps to hold it in place.