The Overland model is the top of the line Grand Cherokee with a 4.7L V-8 and the 5-speed automatic used with the Dodge Ram 1500 and above. Leather and moon roof are standard. The options were Trailer Tow Group 4, cross-bars on the roof rail, (this use to be standard, but most SUV manufactures now charge for it), block heater, AM/FM DVD, GPS navigation at $1200, power pedals and my favorite for only $150 was the Tire Pressure Monitoring Display. This option has a sensor transmitter in the valve stem that gave a readout on the overhead console screen on all four tires. This is great, I could tell what the air pressure was in each tire. The pressure would fluctuate 5 psi from morning till night. I checked screen display with my pro truck tire gauge and it was accurate. This would be nice on a truck and trailers, knowing when a tire was low before it got hot enough to blow.
The first year with GPS as an option, spoiled me. I could see a display of my elevation, longitude, latitude, maps of where I was, wanted to go or just what's ahead. On the baseline road south of Akron CO, I could see it was 40 degrees parallel just like on the maps at school. GPS can really be a time saver showing you the streets that are coming up just ahead or you can completely plot your course and just follow the arrows on the screen. When you don't follow the arrows, the computer tries to find another route to get to your destination and if you keep ignoring the arrows, the computer gives up and tells you to "turn a u-turn stupid". Here I am trying to mess with a talking computer, it had no sense of humor. The GPS is better than video games for traveling entertainment. But you want to get it adjusted before your trip because it can be a dangerous distraction like a teenager driving and talking on a cell phone..
The EPA mileage rating on this Grand Cherokee was 15 in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. My average fuel economy was a combined 16-18 mpg. Pulling a trailer brought it down to 15 mpg and I got all the way up to 20 mpg cruising 75+ mph on the interstate. I liked the rain sensitive windshield wipers. I wish the control buttons like lights, fog lights, cruise control etc. were lit. It takes more than a few days for me to remember where everything's at in the dark. Unibody with two boxed full length tubes as sub-frames, one step above a car sub frame. This contributes to more ground noise and vibration but allows more ground clearance and a low step-in height. The Grand Cherokee has a boxed sheet metal imitation frame welded to the floor pan. Not as strong a truck body-on-frame but it allows a lower center of gravity, good on a true off-roader. I appreciate not climbing up to get in. The Grand Cherokee is very maneuverable off-road as well in a parking lot. Add that to the rugged good looks and you have part of the formula that makes them so popular.
Maneuverable fun-mobile A special thanks to Parker Trailers for the Titan at www.parkertrailers.com |
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Till next time, Good Truck'n.
Kent Sundling (MrTruck)
http://www.mrtruck.net
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