Little Red Pig Towing an Escape

danoid · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:31 pm

Everyone freaks out when they see the picture of my CRD and my camper.

But seriously, does the Durango look much different?

Yeah, it's 'Got A Hemi' but it also sucked it down to the tune of 10 mpg, not 15 on a good day of tugging. This darn thing barely got 15-16 with nothing behind it!

Our Liberty's should have been a blueprint for the SUV of the future. A little bit smaller, with a small diesel but still able to do the job. Oh, and twice the fuel economy most of the time. But instead MY EMPLOYER has chosen to no longer offer such a vehicle. (obviously I'm not in charge around here)

tulsa · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:52 pm

But seriously, does the Durango look much different?

Hell yes!

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:03 am

lol man i wonder what the 3.7 would get towin that thing, it is a good pic tho

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:04 am

tulsa wrote:

But seriously, does the Durango look much different?

Hell yes!

Agreed, its all fuzzy and grainy.

danoid · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:41 am

jsc7002 wrote:

lol man i wonder what the 3.7 would get towin that thing, it is a good pic tho

Um, about 9 mpg. All in third gear at 2500 rpm at 65 mph.

My point about looking different is that the trailer is still much larger than the Durango, although it (the trailer) weighed less than the puller.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:23 pm

ya i agree with you there isnt much size difference, dang though 9mpg

geordi · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:43 pm

My Jeep Grand Cherokee (97) with the V8 got a straight 10mpg when pulling my 6x12 enclosed trailer on completely FLAT roads, down from an average of 16-18. 18 was only measured downhill in a tailwind tho.

The jeep gets about 23-25 normally, and pulling it up and down hills with a fuel drum onboard, it STILL got 19-20. No way I would ever buy a gasser again! If something happens to this car, my next vehicle will be the VW Touareg with the V10 diesel, unless something better shows up. But no more gas except for my motorcycle.

RedStapler · **Joined:** Fri May 11, 2007 10:04 am **Posts:** 77

danoid wrote:

Everyone freaks out when they see the picture of my CRD and my camper.

But seriously, does the Durango look much different?

Yeah, it's 'Got A Hemi' but it also sucked it down to the tune of 10 mpg, not 15 on a good day of tugging. This darn thing barely got 15-16 with nothing behind it!

Our Liberty's should have been a blueprint for the SUV of the future. A little bit smaller, with a small diesel but still able to do the job. Oh, and twice the fuel economy most of the time. But instead MY EMPLOYER has chosen to no longer offer such a vehicle. (obviously I'm not in charge around here)

I wonder what the Durango would get our beloved 2.8 VM under the Hood?

danoid · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:54 am

RedStapler wrote:

I wonder what the Durango would get our beloved 2.8 VM under the Hood?

I couldn't answer that, but the new Durango hybrid will get 20. Percentage wise that a big improvement over the 14 I got with my Hemi®.

hiram · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:00 pm

that is just to much towing for me personally. Especially stopping and accelerating. It just does not look safe just my opinion of course..

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:03 pm

1) Torque, we got that
2) Enough weight on pulling unit (tractor) we got that
3) Good enough brakes to stop, most of us know that.

Therefore, CRD owners are qualified to tow.

danoid · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:04 pm

I need to add a few others...

A cooling system to get rid of the heat. Since internal combustion engines routinely waste 60%+ of the fuel energy they burn, high loads like towing require high capacity cooling systems. Chrysler also puts the VM 2.8L in a minivan (for everyone else but the US) but because of it's cooling system, it can only tow 3500#.

A suspension to handle the tongue weight - I had to add AirLifts to both the KJ and Grand CRD's, the KJ also wears Michelin XPS Rib LRE summer tread tires.

Sway control - See the Hensley Arrow website.

Common sense - keep it at 65 or under - leave lots of room - have spotters for backing up - be patient with slow people - etc.

It's really a good setup, it just looks funny. A lot of the modifications I've added aren't visible from 10 feet away, but they make a world of difference.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 9:28 am

Sir Sam wrote:

I'm seeing a trend here, Jeep towing FORD.

Yeah, ...but it's usually Chevy towing all the Fords and Chrysler products .... :twisted:

I doubt I could even think about towing those big campers with our Libby, seems alot of length and weight there. I got my big ole 'Hoe for the towing duties, but... Kudoes to you all for doing it.

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:32 pm

hiram wrote:

that is just to much towing for me personally. Especially stopping and accelerating. It just does not look safe just my opinion of course..

Why? I can only speak for myself, but I get this statement from all the uneducated F-250/full size truck guys. The only potential downside to the Liberty, IMO, is its short wheel base. They tell me that the tranny isn't tough enough. Its the same trans behind the HEMIs. Then I don't have enough torque, until they find out I have almost as much as their 5.4Ls. If you have half a brain, and don't have idiots cutting you off its perfectly safe.

warp2diesel wrote:

1) Torque, we got that
2) Enough weight on pulling unit (tractor) we got that
3) Good enough brakes to stop, most of us know that.

Therefore, CRD owners are qualified to tow.

The only part I semi-disagree with is the brakes part. I wouldn't tow much behind it without trailer brakes.

danoid wrote:

I need to add a few others...

A cooling system to get rid of the heat. Since internal combustion engines routinely waste 60%+ of the fuel energy they burn, high loads like towing require high capacity cooling systems. Chrysler also puts the VM 2.8L in a minivan (for everyone else but the US) but because of it's cooling system, it can only tow 3500#.

A suspension to handle the tongue weight - I had to add AirLifts to both the KJ and Grand CRD's, the KJ also wears Michelin XPS Rib LRE summer tread tires.

Sway control - See the Hensley Arrow website.

Common sense - keep it at 65 or under - leave lots of room - have spotters for backing up - be patient with slow people - etc.

It's really a good setup, it just looks funny. A lot of the modifications I've added aren't visible from 10 feet away, but they make a world of difference.

Agreed, except for speed :-)

I usually cruise between 70-75. My biggest fear in the DC area are the idiots that pass me and then cut me off and expect me to stop.

danoid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:39 am

RTStabler51 wrote:

Agreed, except for speed :-)

I usually cruise between 70-75. My biggest fear in the DC area are the idiots that pass me and then cut me off and expect me to stop.

ST rated tires are only good for 65 mph. I've heard too many stories of them failing and turning into 6 foot diameter buzz saws on the side of a trailer.

GeorgiaX · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:40 am

I agree about the short wheel base statement.

My personal philosophy is that I want as much of a margin for error as I can get. My Excursion does all my heavy-duty towing (10,000 pounds) but the Libby is always ready, willing and able to help out with the 5K or less chores.

I think many people don’t use common sense when towing and they ultimately pay for it one way or another. Safety should always be the highest priority

//now getting off my soapbox

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:24 am

danoid wrote:

RTStabler51 wrote:

Agreed, except for speed :-)

I usually cruise between 70-75. My biggest fear in the DC area are the idiots that pass me and then cut me off and expect me to stop.

ST rated tires are only good for 65 mph. I've heard too many stories of them failing and turning into 6 foot diameter buzz saws on the side of a trailer.

Ah, I was thinking of the tow vehicle. I need to see what my trailer tires are rated at, and I just had new tires put on her!

Little Red Pig Towing an Escape

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