Towing with my Liberty Limited

TimG517 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:07 pm

I have a 2002 Liberty Limited with the towing package / offroad package etc.

My mom just called me and asked if I would be willing to pull a trailer from Detroit to Lexington, KY (about 350 miles).

She is thinking a 12 x 9' trailer from U-Haul would be big enough.

Anything I should do to make sure my Jeep is OK to tow that far?

Any thoughts about towing a 12 x 9' U-Haul trailer?

Any feedback would be great!
Thanks.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:15 pm

Is it a 6 X12 ? not 9X12 ?? doesnt really make any difference, just make sure your Liberty is good to go as on any road trip. I always check all fluids if oil needs changed do that etc. I just pulled my 6X10 enclosed from Toledo to Boston empty, loaded up all my wifes stuff, all kitchen stuff, bedroom, all her shoes, clothes etc Oh did I mention shoes?? :lol:

But towed it back fully loaded and no problems, just normal stuff allow enough room to stop, take it easy on long down hills, keep speed under 70 :wink:

watch for other idiots, I mean other drivers
But you should not have any problems at all.

if you do have problems I am along the way!

Tom

TimG517 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:36 pm

Thanks Tom.
Keeping it under 70 will be the hard part. I like to do about 75 in the Jeep.
But, for one trip I should be OK.

I pulled the 6 x 12' from Cincinnati to Lexington with no problems. Actually handled great. I just didn't know if the extra 250 or so miles would be an issue.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Depending on how heavy you load it, you could have a little trouble stopping. The stock brakes on the '02 aren't the greatest. Other than that, you shouldn't have any problems. Flat driving most the way between Detroit and Lexington. I tow an enclosed 6X12 trailer with no problems with an '02 with tow package and offroad package, and upgraded front rotors.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:58 pm

Should be just fine. Just take it slow and allow plenty of room to stop and to turn.

Didnt know there was another member from Lexington! Im going to school at Eastern Kentucky University! Just 15min down the road from ya!

There is another member that lives in Kentucky. He has a sweet silver liberty..

Kyliberty is his name..

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:07 pm

In the kind of heat we are having right now I have just one question.

Your sure the '02 has a FULL tow package?

Tranny cooler, Power Steering Cooler, Oil Cooler? All these will be a MUST in this kind of heat, especially if you hit traffic.

Make sure all fluids are good, clean and full. and take it slow. I agree on the brakes. The '02 had drums on the rear and they can heat up on you FAST under that kind of load. Wife drives an '02 I have an '07 limited. Hers only has the power steering cooler, so not a full tow package. Not sure what was offered then, can't remember. My '07 has all the coolers and it loves to pull the 5,000 lbs loads. Oil and Tranny coolers are easy to install if you are so inclinded or quick to install at the stealer.

OFF TOPIC: While I have you are you From Lexington? I am in Louisville and I am starting a KY chapter of LOST.

http://www.BlueGrassLOST.com

Check us out and stay in touch.

GOOD LUCK and be safe!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 2:27 pm

If you have the tow package(hd cooling) in a '02 it comes with all the coolers.Just keep the trailer wieght at 5000lbs or under,over-drive off,and leave plenty of space to brake.Don't worry about keeping it under 70mph,with the OD off you'll be pushing 3000+rpm's trying to do 70+mph.I towed 5000lbs in my '02 with the tow package(HD cooling) 1500 miles through the mountains(twice) with no problems,kept it between 60-65mph.The first time I didn't have the lift/big tires and all the extra armor and averaged 21 mpg,the 2nd time with the lift/big tires and a whole lot of armor I averaged 12 mpg.

TimG517 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:00 pm

I guess I don't understand why I have to have OD off? What does that do for me while towing?

Yes, I live in Lexington. I would love to be a member of bluegrass LOST. I am from Detroit, but have worked at Toyota for 3 years. I just moved back to Lexington from Louisville after my fiance and I split up.

I would love to get a hood like KYliberty has. Where can I get one?

Oh yea, I got a build sheet from Chrysler, and it lists oil cooler, tranny cooler and whatever other coolers jeep supplies.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:13 pm

Keeping the OD off will prevent the trans from shifting back and forth, altough I did run mine in OD part of the way back on smooth level road. You should be fine with the coolers you have

TimG517 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:18 pm

You are saying I'd be OK with OD on in Michigan and Ohio. Then in Kentucky OD off because of the hills?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:39 pm

TimG517 wrote:

You are saying I'd be OK with OD on in Michigan and Ohio. Then in Kentucky OD off because of the hills?

You should never tow in OD.OD in the tranny is not ment for that much stress and could damage your tranny.Having the OD off only lets the tranny go into 3rd which is 1:1 in the tranny,in OD the output of the tranny is spinning faster then the input and not a strong gear while under a heavy load as in towing.Even on flat ground it still is bad to tow in OD.Plus it will constantly be searching for the gears and causing alot more heat than the tranny can handle even with the tranny cooler.In the newer pickups they have a button for "tow/haul" mode,which locks out OD and other things.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:12 pm

Even if you can run the tranny in 4th gear without it shifting alot, it still puts more torque on it and the engine. Running the tranny in 3rd(O/D off), will keep the engines rpms higher and will make it easier on the tranny and engine.

You shouldnt be getting over 65mph so the engines rpms should stay around 3-3500rpms which is fine. Its usually not a bad idea to change you engine oil alittle sooner after towing for along distance.

Haha, kylibby posted right before me. :lol:

Towing with my Liberty Limited

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