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Pulling Bass Boat - Please Give Advice and Help
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Author:  PFMCDM [ Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Pulling Bass Boat - Please Give Advice and Help
I have a 2004 KJ - 4X4. I am thinking of using it to pull my bass boat. I used to tow with my Grand Cherokee but it had a different transmission and also had a tow parkage and a V8. The Grand Cherokee is now gone....But the Grand Cherokee and Liberty weight is about the same... The boat is about 18 feet fiberglass bass boat and total weight for boat, trailer and motor is probably 3000 pounds. The trailer has surge brakes so when I stop the hitch moves and engages the trailer disc brakes.

I read on this forum recently about our Libertys and the transmission being a little weak...I think I have the 42RLE - I think that is it. I also read about a possible problem backing up with a load and the gear cases....I think

I love the little truck and it seems good enough for towing but I am not sure and you guys know more than me. The Liberty is stock and I sure don't want to hurt it. I might have to put in 4X sometimes to pull up a steep wet ramp...I don't intend on towing all day and not in real bad heat....Maybe a couple of hours to and from the lake at the most and not at high speeds - mainly about 55 on a state highway.

It has 42RLE, 4 speed auto trans, lock up torque converter, Command Trac Part time 4WD, Dana 30 186mm front, 3.73. corporate 8.25 rear axle.......V6

Will I be OK? Should I do anything to better prepare it? Thank you.
Author:  Jeepjeepster [ Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Did you get the towing package from the factory? If you didnt, the only thing you didnt get was the mechanical cooling fan which is ran by the water pump. You will just have an electric fan which is ok. The mechanical cooling fan will help with cooling at low speeds and on those long hill climbs(if you have hills) You will of course need to add a hitch and wiring if you have not already.

If you are worried about the transmission then you can look into getting a bigger tranny cooler for it. You already have the stock cooler which sits in front of the condenser but its cooling capacity is limited.

Overall you should have no problems towing 3,000lbs with the liberty. Just make sure you keep the O/D off and take it easy. I tow that much and while it does ok, I wouldnt want to tow it long distances if I know there will be a lot of hills. Only problem with that, hills is all we have around here.. :?

Actually Ill be towing a camper around 1.5hours tomorrow. Loaded we should be just a tad over 3,000lbs. :)
Author:  superj [ Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
we used to tow an open bow 21' ski boat all the time with my dad's 4 cylinder wrangler. to me, the liberty should tow alot better then that wrangler did, and we never had any trouble with it
Author:  jamangus [ Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:07 am ]
Post subject: 
3k pound trailer with surge brakes...you are 100% ok
Author:  BjBnet [ Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
no problems towing mine
17.6 foot Skeeter with 150 Merc.

Hills will slow you down a bit so just take the O/D off as mentioned and you'll be fine.

I go to Maine every year which is about 7-8 hours away and it's a breeze.

Here are some pics :wink:
http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread/34441
Author:  sleeve84028 [ Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
I drove everywhere with my 15' sailboat behind the Liberty. Lighter than your boat for sure, but still 3000 pounds should be perfectly acceptable behind the KJ.
Author:  PFMCDM [ Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Trailer Hitch
Thanks --- Good Lookin Skeeter....I run a Ranger but I gave the Skeeter a very hard look. I like them.
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