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Open Roads Forum  >  Travel Trailers  >  General Q&A

 > towing with new Jeep Liberty

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Bigcoyote

Mesa, Arizona, USA

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Posted: 05/04/08 12:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Sounds like you are at or over your max weight. Your Jeep will pull it - but it won't like it. If you love your Jeep and your TT - then I would go to a local scale - loaded as you would be for a trip ( people, gear, food and all ) and spend a while fine tuning your weights. Figure out where everything can be stored and your hitch set-up so everything is as optimal as it can be. That should at least make it a easier to handle and if you are overweight you can adjust what you bring --- like not filling the water tank until you are at or near your campground. If you can stack all the "little" variables in your favor it might add up to alot easier tow.

Also check out these links - one of our members tows with his diesel Liberty
http://www.flickr.com/groups/tab-trailers/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/radven/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/tabtrailers/

Good luck


John , Juli & the kids
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Hornet28BHDS

Parker, PA

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Posted: 05/04/08 01:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I'm sorry to tell you, but that is a little much for your Liberty.


2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar

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fla-gypsy

North Florida

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Posted: 05/04/08 01:54pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

That trailer dwarfs your little Liberty, not sure you will ever be happy with that combo. It can be improved but will never be fun. Sorry. If there are no other options I would start with a Reese Straight line WD(Dual Cam) set up.


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bluwtr49

Green Valley, AZ

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Posted: 05/04/08 02:52pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Let's back up, take a deep breath and look at this again.

First, the only Jay Feather that is 23' is the EXP which is a Hybrid. In typical Jayco fashion, it already includes virtually everything except a battery and full propane tanks. At a dry wt of ~ 4000 lbs it has a GVW rating of 4950.

Basically, if you don't overload the TT, you are not overloading the libery.

Powerwise, if you have the 3.7, you'll be a bit underpowered in the hill. Conversely, if you have the diesel, that problem is a non-starter as it will pull over hill and dale with nary a hiccup. I see your in Michegan and to the best of my knowledge, there aren't very many hills of any significance.

That really only leaves stabilty. If you take care in selecting a quality W/D hitch and sway control, most of that issue is also resolved. Yes, your TV may be a bit short but then your TT isn't huge either.

As a case in point, I hooked my 25Z to my diesel Liberty for a trip to the dealer. It was unloaded at the time so the wt probably came in at about 5,000 lbs. Used my Equal-izer without any significant change but had to take the spare tire off for clearance. Now granted this was only 50 miles but I was very pleased with the libertys ability to tow on the freeway as well as the secondary roads.

Granted, this is not the set-up for everybody, but don't sell it short until you've exhaused all the options.


Dick
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited TRD
2009 Cougar 268 RLS ~8400 lbs road wt
Equal-i-zer 12,000 lb hitch, Prodigy BC.
2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
2005 Jeep GC 5.7 HEMI,(retired)
2005 Jayco Jay Feather 25Z, 4" lift (Retired)

Agrnbrt

NJ, U.S.A.

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Posted: 05/04/08 03:12pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Let me guess...The RV dealer said it could be pulled by the Liberty. Or the Jeep dealer said it could pull it, right? Maybe you should have researched on here or else where first. Most folks would have told you that you are pushing the envelope with that set up. Sorry but that's why it pays to research before you buy.


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Bumpyroad

Virginia

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Posted: 05/04/08 03:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I assume that the trailer has working brakes? my friend had an older Liberty and it was bad even towing a fairly light aluminum boat.
bumpy





SKG

Emerald Park, Saskatchewan

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Posted: 05/04/08 04:00pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have pulled a 26 Jay-flight with my 3.0 CRD G/Cherokee with a WDH for 60+ miles and it works great. The issue of power (with any TV) is personal perception/opinion not factual by any means.

A 23 foot trailer with proper tongue weight and or friction sway control your TV should work just fine for light duty towing. People get way to fanatical about towing parameters and such but do stay within your weights. With your Liberty I personally wouldn't go any bigger but that's just me.

If your trailer is swaying check the set up because its not "just" the TV fault.


2007 Jayco Eagle 314 BHDS
2007 Dodge Mega Cab 5.9 CTD

canoe on top

Denver, CO, US

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Posted: 05/04/08 05:22pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

That TT is going to be 5000lbs loaded for camping which means if he has more than a 150lb driver and half a tank of gas, he is over the tow rating. Check weight of Jeep with everthing in it to go camping plus tongue weight and Jeep GVW, and Jeep axle weight ratings. Also, go to the scale and find out where you are interms of GCWR. A dual cam, an Equal-i-zer or Hensley would be minimum for sway control. I don't think a single friction bar will be adequate. As everyone has said, power is relative but, even if you are within your weight limits which is doubtful, you are not going to be happy with the performance. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8 that I loved but was not satisfied with the power at altitude and was worried about how long the Jeep would last working that hard. That was with a TT that is under 6000lbs.

bluwtr49

Green Valley, AZ

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Posted: 05/04/08 07:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

canoe on top wrote:

That TT is going to be 5000lbs loaded for camping which means if he has more than a 150lb driver and half a tank of gas, he is over the tow rating. Check weight of Jeep with everthing in it to go camping plus tongue weight and Jeep GVW, and Jeep axle weight ratings. Also, go to the scale and find out where you are interms of GCWR. A dual cam, an Equal-i-zer or Hensley would be minimum for sway control. I don't think a single friction bar will be adequate. As everyone has said, power is relative but, even if you are within your weight limits which is doubtful, you are not going to be happy with the performance. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8 that I loved but was not satisfied with the power at altitude and was worried about how long the Jeep would last working that hard. That was with a TT that is under 6000lbs.


Sorry, the payload capacity or the Liberty is 1150 lbs which includes the 150 lb driver and a full tank of fuel. Has nothing to do with the tow rating. Folks always underestimte these vehicles, the're heavy, built like a little tank and are much more capable then most people believe. That "little" 3.7 is also used to haul the full size ram pickup around.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that's it's overloaded.

TXiceman

(Near) Houston,TX

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Posted: 05/04/08 07:29pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You need more tow vehicle of smaller trailer. That trailer is bound to weigh closer to 4700# wet and loaded. The 5000# on the liberty is a maximum and based on a base model vehicle, no cargo, no hitch, and only a 154# driver. Depending on the way you travel with the cargo and such in the liberty, your real world tow rating is probably less then 4500#.

Next issue is that the Liberty is just plain too small for a 23' trailer. Personally. I'd be concerned trying to pull anything other than the smallest pop up.

Sorry to put a major thunder stprm on your parade.

Ken


KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!

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