How can it not to be safe to tow with a Liberty if you stay within these guide lines
5000# GTW
500# TW
60 sf frontal area
10,100 GCWR
In this day and age of lawsuits what car maker would say it is safe to tow to these limits if it were not? If their engineers and tests come up with these limits then they are putting themselves at risk if the limits are false and in today’s world they would not if it was not safe.
As I have said I tow a 19” 4000# trailer and I have not had any sway even with trucks going by or cross winds. The trailer actually tows better than my pup did. Of course the engine has to work harder but they are built to take it. To many people think they should not tow anything but pups and that is just not true.
I just returned from towing my 24ft jayco lite hawk to the campsight I plan on leaving it for the time being and once again the liberty did great, this time we were is a terrible rain storm but it pulled straight and true with no problems I have a valley hitch with weight dist and trailer brake controller, I think before you knock the Liberty you should take the word of those of us that own one i truely think if properly equipped the liberty will tow up to 5000lbs fine
Jason Duhamell
Wife Rachel, 2 boys Nate and Seth
Smokey J's BBQ
Competition Barbeque Team and Catering
Cubmaster Pack 33 Mattoon, Illinois
2003 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4
1998 Jayco Hawk Lite 24BH
I'm not sure some of you understand just how capable a Jeep KJ is. The only thing people are correct about for the most part is that the wheel base is short. Everything else most of you are saying is way wrong. The CRD Libby is a tank. It is tough finding the specs on the diesel version, but it is somewhere around 4500lbs vs the 4000lb gasser. It is about 10 times more solid than an explorer 20 times more solid than an S10. Those things can't drive down a damp street, let alone tow a kid on a skateboard. My CRD Libby makes more torque than a V8 explorer so anybody saying that even their explorer had a tough time is clearly not aware of just how capable the KJ is. The CRD is rated for 5000, and oddly enough, the same model in the UK is rated at 7400lbs. Me thinks Jeep didn't feel like rerating their diesel version in the states and just ran their gasses numbers. I will give that regardless of power, the KJ needs to consider WB. When I was looking, the dealers by me gave me a very specific grouping to choose from for the exact reason of WB. I hope I didn't come off as short with anybody, because we're all here just trying to offer advice and help. It could also be the guy has never towed anything and no matter what, will hate towing. My pops has a 3500HD chevy and I hated towing with his truck when I first did it, but now it is no biggie. If you asked me on my first trip though, I'd say his truck is no good for towing. Anyway, long story short. I think the OP has some research to do as far as how his rigging is set.
-c
ccattie wrote: It is about 10 times more solid than an explorer 20 times more solid than an S10. Those things can't drive down a damp street, let alone tow a kid on a skateboard.
That is the most thought out, intelligent and accurate analysis I've ever read on this forum. Thank you for clearing that up. I'm sure every Blazer and Explorer owner that reads your post will rush right out and trade in their worthless junk for an almighty Liberty.
ccattie wrote: I hope I didn't come off as short with anybody,
Not short, just short-sighted.
ccattie wrote: My pops has a 3500HD chevy and I hated towing with his truck when I first did it, but now it is no biggie. If you asked me on my first trip though, I'd say his truck is no good for towing. Anyway, long story short. I think the OP has some research to do as far as how his rigging is set.
-c
This last bit just qualified your previous remarks. I'm sure we'll all give your thoughts their due consideration...
Oh, and welcome to the forums.
68 Me & DW
93 DD
03 DD
06 F150 Screw 6.5' Bed, 4x4, 5.4, 3.73
04 Tahoe 23RB-GL Honda EU2000 Parallel Cables "I hope you like Guinness, Sir. I find it a refreshing substitute for...food." Col. Jack O'Neill, Stargate SG-1.
ccattie wrote: It is about 10 times more solid than an explorer 20 times more solid than an S10. Those things can't drive down a damp street, let alone tow a kid on a skateboard.
That is the most thought out, intelligent and accurate analysis I've ever read on this forum. Thank you for clearing that up. I'm sure every Blazer and Explorer owner that reads your post will rush right out and trade in their worthless junk for an almighty Liberty.
ccattie wrote: I hope I didn't come off as short with anybody,
Not short, just short-sighted.
ccattie wrote: My pops has a 3500HD chevy and I hated towing with his truck when I first did it, but now it is no biggie. If you asked me on my first trip though, I'd say his truck is no good for towing. Anyway, long story short. I think the OP has some research to do as far as how his rigging is set.
-c
This last bit just qualified your previous remarks. I'm sure we'll all give your thoughts their due consideration...
Oh, and welcome to the forums.
I can't say it any better myself, so I won't.
bumpy
You may not have liked the way ccattie stated his case...he was a bit overboard, but the essence of his post was pretty accurate. I completely underestimated the Liberty until I hooked ours to the Jayco 25Z up for a 100 mile round trip to the dealer. Tossed the Equal-I-zer on without changing the setup (rode a bit nose low)and took off. That little diesel is a wonder through the hills and even with the short W/B it handled as perfectly. Not a hint of instability.
The rather remarkable ability my be, in part to the short overhang (25"), the weight (4600 lbs)....this thing is heavy for it's size, and that the suspension is rock solid with no lateral movement at all.
While I would not tow our existing TT very far as is too long (27.5') and too heavy (6,000 loaded), I would not hesitate to tow to the Liberty's rating if it's the diesel, a bit less for the gasser.
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)
bluwtr49 wrote: You may not have liked the way ccattie stated his case...he was a bit overboard, but the essence of his post was pretty accurate. I completely underestimated the Liberty until I hooked ours to the Jayco 25Z up for a 100 mile round trip to the dealer. Tossed the Equal-I-zer on without changing the setup (rode a bit nose low)and took off. That little diesel is a wonder through the hills and even with the short W/B it handled as perfectly. Not a hint of instability.
The rather remarkable ability my be, in part to the short overhang (25"), the weight (4600 lbs)....this thing is heavy for it's size, and that the suspension is rock solid with no lateral movement at all.
While I would not tow our existing TT very far as is too long (27.5') and too heavy (6,000 loaded), I would not hesitate to tow to the Liberty's rating if it's the diesel, a bit less for the gasser.
Yes, you used the key word DIESEL there. That makes ALL the difference.
The Liberty is an excellent tow vehicle and HANDLING was never an issue even pulling my 18 ft hybrid. However, the V6 gasser just doesn't have enough guts to do the job.
Now if Jeep could just figure out how to shoehorn the 4.7L V8 under the hood...
Paul (Mouse)
2007 Flagstaff Shamrock 17 Hybrid (heavily modified for boondocking and winter camping).
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, 4.7L HO engine, Factory tow package, Equil-i-zer WD Hitch, Prodigy brake controller.
Yamaha EF2400 Generator.
I'm glad nobody really gave it to me for getting mad. Us KJ drivers are pretty much hated in all circles. Jeep owners hate us, small SUV people hate us, BIG SUV people hate us. We really get no respect. I think if the RV dealer I delt with hadn't seen a diesel one before they woulda told me to only tow a cooler I had a great exp with my RV dealer and we matched size as well as weigh balancing hitches and sway controls for maximum safety.
-c
ccattie wrote: I'm glad nobody really gave it to me for getting mad. Us KJ drivers are pretty much hated in all circles. Jeep owners hate us, small SUV people hate us, BIG SUV people hate us. We really get no respect. I think if the RV dealer I delt with hadn't seen a diesel one before they woulda told me to only tow a cooler I had a great exp with my RV dealer and we matched size as well as weigh balancing hitches and sway controls for maximum safety.
-c
That great that you had a good dealer. They can make or break a good towing experience, expecially in a short W/B TV where every aspect is important. Not a lot of room for mistakes in the TT selection and set-up.
There are a lot of great folks on this forum and a myrid differant opinions. They really don't flame but you shouln't make half-cocked comments either. Listen to them carefully before you filter the info. There is a lot to learn.
Stay within your limitations and enjoy the experience.
Mousefart wrote: Nope, no more information is needed. A 23 ft, 4000 lb DRY weight trailer and a Jeep Liberty is a NO GO, period.
I used to have a Jeep Liberty. I towed my boat and my PUP with it with no problems.
But when I got my 18 ft hybrid trailer (which is considerably shorter and lighter than yours), it just wouldn't cut the mustard any more. I traded it in for a Dodge Dakota pickup with a V8 engine.
Once you go to a full height trailer, the wind drag is just more than the 3.7L engine can handle. I LOVED my Liberty, but it's towing capabilities are pretty much limited to LOW trailers (boats and pop-ups).
Also, the weight you quoted is the DRY weight. Once you load all your "stuph" into it plus passengers in the Jeep, you will be over the max tow rating. People who want to tow SAFELY go by the 80% rule. You pick a trailer whos GROSS weight is 80% of the tow vehicle's tow rating. That would be 4000 lbs (FULLY loaded) for the Liberty. But becuase of the small engine in the Liberty, even a 3000 lb full height trailer will be a problem due to wind drag.
Unfortunately, you need to trade in the Liberty for something bigger and smack the salesman that told you that you could tow with this combination firmly in the head!
Agreed...
I agree too. IMHO, the Liberty is simply too short to tow a trailer that size. However, if you install a Hensley or ProPride hitch, I'm sure you'll find it will behave MUCH better.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
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I had a great exp with my RV dealer and we matched size as well as weigh balancing hitches and sway controls for maximum safety.
