Do I really need a Weight Distribution Hitch?

[madehumble]

Hello Everyone, this is my first post on the forum. After lurking around here and reading a lot, I have decided to join and post. I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty with automatic transmission 3.7L. I have just recently had a new 7x14 concession trailer built and have to travel about 600 miles in a few days to pick it up. The builder said the trailer weighs about 3350 pounds and also said that I should not need a weight distribution hitch. Being proactive I purchased a Curt's WDH. I understand proper Jeep Liberty towing principles but wanted to know do you think I really need the WDH when. Thanks in advance?

 

[renegade 04]

If you are towing something that heavy you will need HD cooling. That means a mechanical clutch fan and also a electric fan, the shroud for the electric fan is recessed so that you can put the clutch fan on the water pump. No you do not need the special hitch. you can get the clutch fan blade, and the recessed electric fan from a junk yard. Then you can get the fan clutch from napa or any auto parts store.

 

[madehumble]

Thanks Renegade 04 for your advice.

 

[KS06Kj]

The tongue weight of the trailer, not the weight of the trailer itself determines whether or not you need or want to use a WDH. The WDH will help keep the rear end from squatting from the tongue weight, it will also keep weight down on your front end helping you control the vehicle better.

 

[madehumble]

Thanks KSO6KJ. I will bring the WDH with me but not attach it unless I truly need it. Once the trailer is attached.

 

[Birdman330]

I'm going to clarify, since a frame mounted hitch is technically a WDH, are we talking about the additional set up which mounts to the tongue and looks similar to an A-Frame which is supposed to help with weight distribution and stabilize the trailer? A bumper hitch is not a WHD which the KJ and or the KK do not have but what you see on some older SUV's IE Blazers, Broncos, or Pick Up Trucks which are seriously misleading in terms of tongue weight and pulling capabilities (Friend found out when he ripped his bumper off trying to pull hay, I joke not).

 

[madehumble]

I'm going to clarify, since a frame mounted hitch is technically a WDH, are we talking about the additional set up which mounts to the tongue and looks similar to an A-Frame which is supposed to help with weight distribution and stabilize the trailer? A bumper hitch is not a WHD which the KJ and or the KK do not have but what you see on some older SUV's IE Blazers, Broncos, or Pick Up Trucks which are seriously misleading in terms of tongue weight and pulling capabilities (Friend found out when he ripped his bumper off trying to pull hay, I joke not).

This is the WDH, I purchased:

Curt Trunnion Style Weight Distribution System with Shank, 600 lbs. TW, 6,000 lbs. GTW Curt Weight Distribution 17300

 

[Ocelot]

If your loaded trailer weighs 3350, you want to have 350 - 500 Pounds of that (not less) on your tongue so your jeep isn't squirlly. If your rear squats too much or bottoms on bumps then install the weight distribution bars and crank them so you move some of that weight to the front wheels.
Don't move too much to the front, or you can unload the rear wheels and jack-knife the trailer.

 

[rcjohnson]

It can't hurt to have it but you really don't need it. That hitch is weight rated for higher than your KJ. A sway bar is something I have found useful when towing.

The HD Cooling mentioned is something I would recommend getting added on at some point. I do camper repair on the side and have towed a lot of campers not just my own. You will find after a long tow trying to go in reverse with it you might get the trans temp light come on. I get to where I am going then park it for a bit to let it cool down.

On the subject of the HD Cooling, since the 3.7 is used in different vehicles, what others in the junkyard can I look under the hood of besides the Liberty to find the parts for it? Would a similar year Dakota use the same HD parts?

 

[madehumble]

Thanks guys,

I really see that getting a HD cooling system is a must. I wish I would had like another couple weeks to get one one put on. I will have to get that taken care of when I get back home with the trailer. The concessional trailer won't go into service for a couple months, so that buys me some time. I will have to drive her easy coming home. I think I will stay in between the 55-65 mph range at the most. The trailer also has electric breaks on it, I also had a brake controller installed on the Jeep and the transmission fluid changed a couple months back and I am changing the oil this weekend before we go. I will also make sure all coolant and fluids are topped off and know to tow with OD off. So I hope all goes well.

 

[CalcityRenegade]

HD Cooling is very important for that, You already have the WDH, Might as well use it, My father in law has one for his camper trailer even though the truck pulls fine without it, Its just that more better in his case, Wont hurt using it!

 

[CzarKJ]

I just want to mention that HD cooling also has a extra ****** cooler. Not just the clutch fan and different shroud and electric fan.

 

[Birdman330]

Don't move too much to the front, or you can unload the rear wheels and jack-knife the trailer.

That is a false statement, you want 60% of the weight at the front of the trailer, too much weight will just drag down the rear but will not cause a jack-knife. Sorry for the rant but its a very serious misconception to put the weight at the front of the trailer will cause an accident, no it won't it adds better stability to the tow vehicle. When Semi-Trailers are loaded they either put the weight in the center of the trailer or towards the front of the trailer, when you load a normal single, double, tri-axle trailer you do the same you put it dead center on the axle or in the front of the trailer. You put the weight in the back, you will cause lift on the rear wheels of the towing vehicle which leads to serious vehicle instability and a wreck.

 

[Ocelot]

Your rant needs no apology, but i accept it anyway. When I stated not to "move too much to the front", I meant to not move too much weight to the front wheels of the tow vehicle by over tensioning the torsion bars.
Too much tension on the torsion bars will unload the rear axle of the tow vehicle, that certainly can result in jack-knifing.

With or without a WDH, you still want between 10 percent and 15 percent of your total trailer gross weight on the tongue, too much more than 15% and your steering wallows, too much less than 10 % and your trailer will sway.

My statement wasn't false, it was just misinterpreted.
And I'm well aware of loading semis as well, ive been a heavy truck driver since I turned 18, but there is no reason I should have to feel the need to defend myself.

 

[Birdman330]

You have no idea how many times I've had to make people unload and reload their trailer because it was ''too much work'' to put their heavy stuff at the front of the trailer, they couldn't figure out why when they tried to get to highway speed they nearly killed themselves when the trailer swayed. I've hauled over gross, thankfully ONLY ONCE and I didn't hit the scales (Then again nobody in Cincinnati never knew how to load a semi trailer), somebody was watching me over that trip. Though nothing is more fun than towing a loaded trailer with dead brakes, the stories I can share on that one will leave most people never wanting to tow. Keep the weight towards the front, and for all peace make sure the brakes are functional or the trip will get lots of fun. I'm a former driver of heavy trucks.

 

[sota]

birdman: having an estimated 5800# hanging off the back of the jeep when the trailer's brakes suddenly decided that they wanted to depart the functioning world, while going downhill, in rush hour traffic. let's just say I needed new underwear.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Thanks guys,

I really see that getting a HD cooling system is a must. I wish I would had like another couple weeks to get one one put on. I will have to get that taken care of when I get back home with the trailer. The concessional trailer won't go into service for a couple months, so that buys me some time. I will have to drive her easy coming home. I think I will stay in between the 55-65 mph range at the most. The trailer also has electric breaks on it, I also had a brake controller installed on the Jeep and the transmission fluid changed a couple months back and I am changing the oil this weekend before we go. I will also make sure all coolant and fluids are topped off and know to tow with OD off. So I hope all goes well.

Here's a write-up on the HD Cooling system I put in my '03. The Mopar kit is discontinued (and was when I did the mod on mine) but there are aftermarket kits available. Go to the third page of the thread for links to the parts from eBay and RockAuto.com Here's another thread with more part numbers for the nylon fan and the fan clutch. Note that I also changed to a radiator that has the in-radiator ****** cooler like an '02 has. When my original radiator decided to leak and I swapped to the new one I didn't think that I'd be able to use the in-rad cooler but it was a simple mod that can't do anything but help on hot days or when I'm pulling a heavy trailer or off-roading.

Properly equipped the Liberty is a good towing vehicle. I tow my boat all summer and have towed some pretty heavy utility and box trailers as well. Be safe, be conservative and just remember that the Libby has a short wheelbase and can get squirrely if you're not careful.

Let me know if you have any questions - and Merry Christmas :waytogo:

Bob

 

[LibertyFever]

My 04 Liberty Sport gasser has the Mopar trailer package c/w an electric & mechanical rad fan, a transmission cooler and a Class 3 hitch.
I've pulled a 22' long travel trailer and a 16' floater trailer c/w a YJ Jeep on top. They weigh in at the top of the limit of 5,000 lbs towing weight for the Liberty.

Without the weight distributing hitch, also called sway bars, you'll find the front end of your Liberty to rise up and bounce as you drive.
Most unsafe.


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