Towing Question

[red450]

I've searched the board and Google but haven't been able to find an answer. We're looking at getting an ultra light travel trailer (17', under 2000 lbs) to pull behind my 04 KJ V6 AT. I have the factory hitch, installed by the dealership as part of the gas tank "fix".

Is this something the Liberty can handle?

I'm a complete noob at towing. The only thing I've towed was a utility trailer carrying a motorcycle.

Thanks!

 

[duderz7]

You want to compare specs between hitch and trailer as far as weight rating. You are within the tow rating for the KJ however you are going to feel that extra weight. trailer brakes are highly recommended. And don't forget you need to get wiring for trailer. etrailer is a great website for all your towing needs. They make it simple.

 

[mrlavalamp]

for the trailer wiring, highly recommend the kits that plug into the factory harness (its like a 10 or 20 pin connector or something, and comes with the relay unit to make it work with a 4 pin setup).

I tow a 2000lb tent trailer, and any larger and trailer brakes would be REQUIRED. As is, I watch it on hills and stops/offramps, but have never had a close call. Long descents downshift and let the engine

You should be able to tell the weight rating based on the size of the square receiver tube as well. I am no towing expert but etrailer is my goto for this type of stuff: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-hitch-size.aspx

Also, this video has made its way around the internet, but hands down the best demonstration of proper weight distribution there is:

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linking it because travel trailers are easy to load up incorrectly, especially when you are rushing and trying to leave town on any kind of schedule.

 

[red450]

Thanks! I have a Hopkins 42475 harness that plugs into the passenger side tail lamp assembly. We tend to travel as light as possible and the travel trailer we're looking at has storage in the front underbelly.

mrlavalamp, do you have any sort of anti-sway or weight distribution set up on your Liberty?

 

[mrlavalamp]

no, and adding in a load distribution setup is a little overkill at 2000lbs imo. I would invest in trailer brakes first.

 

[red450]

Thank you for the help!

 

[LONGJEEPOWNER]

I have a 2010 Libby and tow a 20' Coleman tag along with it. I had a brake controller installed with a weight distribution hitch to stop sway on the trailer. I have towed this setup for over a year now with no troubles. The trailer weighs 3000 lbs dry and not loaded. Ran back and forth from Pa to S. Carolina this winter without a problem. I don't push it or go like the devil either. Just enjoy the ride.

 

[sota]

Is it that time of the year?
Swear this has been discussed here in the last couple weeks.

anyways....

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[Ocelot]

for the trailer wiring, highly recommend the kits that plug into the factory harness (its like a 10 or 20 pin connector or something, and comes with the relay unit to make it work with a 4 pin setup).

I tow a 2000lb tent trailer, and any larger and trailer brakes would be REQUIRED. As is, I watch it on hills and stops/offramps, but have never had a close call. Long descents downshift and let the engine

You should be able to tell the weight rating based on the size of the square receiver tube as well. I am no towing expert but etrailer is my goto for this type of stuff: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-hitch-size.aspx

Also, this video has made its way around the internet, but hands down the best demonstration of proper weight distribution there is:

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

linking it because travel trailers are easy to load up incorrectly, especially when you are rushing and trying to leave town on any kind of schedule.

This is the very same example I use in my light-duty trailer towing courses I deliver at work, if your trailer grosses at 2000 pounds, you always want to load it so you have at least 10% of that on your tongue/ball (regardless of whether you use a WD set-up or not. Rule-of -Thumb for pull-type trailers is 10% to 15% of your trailer GVW). A single axle trailer is even more prone to fish-tailing than a tandem axle.

 

[sota]

I wish I had a scale I could stick under the tongue and get an accurate weight when I tow the car(s). I'd love to know just how close/far I am in relation to that 10% rule.