Conditions:Unloaded trailer weight 3418 lbs
Added load weight ~400 lbs? (carried 1/3 tank fresh water)
Air temperature 26-30° Celsius ( 79-86°F)
Locations Golden Ears Provincial Park (Vancouver mainland area) and Englishman River Falls (Vancouver Island)
Tune- stock
Transmission- stock
Torque converter- stock
F37 recall- yes
Weight distribution hitch with sway control
Transmission temperaturesTypically on highways and traffic able to maintain a minimum 88-90kph (55-56mph), 90-110°C (194-230°F)
(see overdrive)
Mainland 70kph (43mph) speed limit 100-115°C (212-239°F)
Long hills especially Vancouver Island Malahat 125°C (257°F)
!!RecommendationTransmission temperatures above 88°C (190°F) are too high.
If you want to haul a trailer like this with your Liberty, get a transmission cooler. Really cheap insurance.
I met a man at Englishman River Falls who just had his 1999 Dodge Ram diesel transmission blow up while camping.
Tow- $600
Truck rental- $1200
Rebuild- $7200
ATF had been replaced on schedule and was still a red color. The shop had put Dextron in it.
He is capable of hauling 17000lbs and his loaded trailer was about 5000lbs.
OverdriveWith my trip throughout the mainland, I didn't turn off overdrive. On the flats or with rolling hills, the Liberty can maintain 89kph (55mph) nicely. The engine temperature never exceeded normal and the transmission would sit at about 80-85°C (176-185°F).
(see Torque lock)
I played with turning off overdrive through hilly parts of the Malahat and highway 19 on the island but transmission temperatures exceeded my comfort levels. I was never sure at what road speed the torque converter would lockup. It almost seems like it just wouldn't.
Those of you with experience, please comment.Torque lockThis is the nicest thing you can do for your transmission.
For most highway driving if you can maintain 89kph (55mph) at about 1700rpm with overdrive on, the Liberty engine and transmission temperatures will be fine.
On hills or on highways where speed limit or traffic keeps you under this speed/rpm, driving without overdrive is probably what is recommended but I couldn't find a speed that wouldn't overheat the transmission. Also, lower speeds may cause damage due to flying beer cans.
Again, those of you with experience, please comment.Tail wagging the dogI feel the trailer in the seat. Where my 2000lb trailer felt easy to pull and never controlling, the larger sail behind me now does take charge a little with bumps and ruts. A bobtail semi blasting by gave me quite a pull too.
Get a weight distribution hitch with sway control.
Engine temperatureI have never seen my engine temperature exceed normal (until now). I know that the temperature can exceed this for short times without any issue. But on the Malahat coming home, I actually reached fuel cutoff temperature just as I reached the summit. I lost power only for a few seconds and temperature was back to normal within a minute after that.
I would assume that a cooler for the transmission might also help the attached engine.
Change my mindThe Jeep has been a great commuter and hauler with my 2000lb trailer. I like the short wheel base and economy. But the ability to haul this kind of load is adequate only. I would really like to have about 30% more power.
So my options are adding a transmission cooler, better torque converter, engine and transmission tune or just buying a stronger vehicle.
The fellow who had the $9000 transmission fix really liked my rig. He said that his friend had one and pulled a similar trailer. He also recommended the Ford 150 EcoBoost if I wanted more power.
My wife wants to do a trip well into the Rockies. I don't think that the Jeep even with the upgrades would be happy with the long Coquihalla highway. I am not sure that I would want to put my Jeep through it as well.
99% of the time all that we need is the Liberty. We are at a stage where we don't want two vehicles to insure and maintain.