I'm looking to buy a used suv up to $15K, $16 max. I would like it to be newer than 2008 or so. I'm planning on buying and towing 17ft aluminum boat. I'll have to drive up some hills to go to some of the waters I fish. I often drive for 100 miles one way for fishing.

 

Is 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee with v6 too weak for the job?

 

Also is there any reliable tow rating chart that I can look up for any suv for the last 10 years? Some sites I found, shows different numbers for same car. Some don't go into detail about the engine size.

 

I'm planning on buying and towing 17ft aluminum boat.

 

That could be as little as 600 lbs. or as much as 1600lbs.  You're going to have to be more specific. I towed a 900 lb. boat and trailer with my '85 Cherokee Chief (2.8L V6) with no issues starting or stopping. 

I have a 2007 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 V6 and I tow my Ranger R73 (17' Glass ~1600lbs with trailer) with no issues, granted i'm in the Midwest and it's generally flat here. The only time it struggles is in really hilly terrain.  Being that you're in San Jose, you may want to consider your terrain and step up to something with a V8.  Being that you're looking at an aluminum boat you will definitely have a much lighter rig than what I do.  I don't have any knowledge of the Grand Cherokee so I can't help you there.

 

Also, get a 4x4 for the slippery launches. It'll come in handy.

 

Ranger R73 (17.5' Glass ~2200lbs with trailer)

 

Is it really that much?  Holy cow.  I had no idea.  My 22' Bullet is like 1400.

You know, I'm not 100% certain why that number popped in my head.  I just looked up the dry boat weight of the R73 and listed at 1150. So with fuel, gear and trailer 1500-1600 maybe? Heck...I'm curious now.  I will say this, for a small trailer that it is, it is heavy a hell.

Is it really that much?  Holy cow.  I had no idea.  My 22' Bullet is like 1400.

I believe I was thinking of the trailer rating....which makes sense to me. Thanks for catching my error.

 I know that Rangers are heavy, but that seemed really heavy.  I really didn't think it was an error, just caught me by surprise.  My Bullet is light, but not that light.  For comparison's sake, my 18' Xpress is heavier, around 1600 lbs.  So much for aluminum being "lighter."  Which means you really have to look at the specs.

That could be as little as 600 lbs. or as much as 1600lbs.  You're going to have to be more specific. I towed a 900 lb. boat and trailer with my '85 Cherokee Chief (2.8L V6) with no issues starting or stopping. 

 

Ok, good point. I'm looking 1850 lbs. It is the package weight.  Just took from 2013 Tracker Pro 170 spec, assuming something like this is what I'll eventually get.

Are you guys adding the motor weight? Boat motor and trailer on my 20' Lund is 3000lbs. Add 50 gallons of fuel, batteries and gear and I'm closer to 4000