Pulling a travel trailer

bentstrider83 · **Joined:** Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:43 am **Posts:** 42

One of my potential uses for my newfound purchase is to pull a short, yet livable trailer to various parks.
Apartments tend to get a little pricey so small trailer living will pretty much do me right in my potential quest.
I intend to pretty much do local truck driving and other odd jobs in different cities until I find a place that's permanently suitable for me.
That said, has anyone actually seen a Liberty CRD pulling something like what I'm describing any where?

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:41 am

Search around on here, there are some pics of a liberty towing a BIG TT. For me, my CRD pulled lots of things, but mostly a generator that looked like this:

That is a 6840 lb generator, and I got 19mpg while pulling it. The limiting factor for you will be the size of the box, and how much wind it catches. That will put more "weight" onto the engine. You will want to install separate non-computer-connected gauges to keep an eye on the big stuff: Boost, EGT, and if you are adventurous, oil pressure from the TOP of the engine in the main gallery under the turbo.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:39 pm

I rented a 24 foot last year and in the process of buying a 21 foot.
Yes, the biggest factor is the wind resistance. I would love to buy an Evergeen Ascend or Element, but they are out of my price range. If you want small, look at the Forest River R-pod.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 07, 2013 7:41 pm

look for Danoid posts

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:30 pm

naturist · **Posted:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:38 pm

Yes, people are doing exactly what you propose, ie towing a "small" travel trailer. I'm one of them, and yes, I do have some hints for you.

I have towed a 21 foot, 5,000 lb gross weight, full height/width (ie, 8 feet x 8 feet) travel trailer from Virginia, to Michigan's UP to Seattle, to Los Angeles, and back via Grand Canyon and Memphis. I also towed it from Virginia to Las Vegas via Denver, around the Grand Canyon, through Bryce and Zion back to Vegas, then returned to Virginia. Not to mention a couple odd trips to Ohio and back, as well as to New Hampshire and back.

Here are my suggestions: #1 spring for a GDE ecotune, worth every penny. #2, throw away the stock fan clutch and install a Hayden 2409 heavy duty fan clutch. #3 previous posters are absolutely right, the biggest factor in towing is going to be frontal surface area of the trailer. I get 14 mpg towing mine, as a rule, because it is like dragging a parachute. I managed 50 mph one day in Oklahoma towing into a 50 mph wind, something I won't do again unless being chased by raging banshees. It cost me 9 miles per gallon. so the tip is to get a folding trailer if you can, a Hi-Lo, or a Trail Manor, ANYTHING with better aerodynamics.

And #4, be very careful of overheating. That is why #2 is up there. This engine is a solid performer, but it will NOT tolerate overheating. If you find that needle going above the 3/4 mark, slow down or something. If it hits the "H", you are in trouble, and if the chime goes off, STOP NOW and limit the damage.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:52 pm

My hint is to get a rounded trailer like our 17' Casita trailer :lol:

Then get the GDE "Full torque" Eco tune. But for that you'll also need a upgraded torque converter. Out trailer come in around 3000# to 3500#

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:51 pm

I would agree with Joe a rounded trailer. If I could do it over I would.

Collingwood · **Joined:** Sat May 01, 2010 9:53 am **Posts:** 24

I pull a Trailmanor 3124KB with mine. It is about as tall as the Liberty folded down except for the AC unit and 3 vents on top. It is much wider the Liberty, and you will need towing mirrors to see around it. There is one guy on here are installed the large Dodge Ram swing out mirrors on his gas Liberty. You will also need a good trailer brake controller.

Need:
GDE full torque tune.
Hayden server duty fan clutch.
Tow mirrors.
Trailer brake controller.

Possible need:
Maybe the Euro torque converter if you get much shutter.
Maybe a lift pump or new fuel filter head if you get much air in the filter head.
Maybe the extra deep transmission pan and maybe an extra cooler to keep the transmission cool and happy.
Maybe a set of updated (Samco or other), intercooler hoses if your haven't been upgraded them yet.
Maybe a set of 215/85-16 load rated D or E tires to handle the extra weight of the trailer.
Maybe rear airbags to help the rear springs handle the extra weight.
Maybe a Weight distributing hitch if your steering to too light from your trailer having too much weight on the tongue. How you load the trailer will have a big effect on handling. Too much weight in the rear of the trailer and it may sway. Tandem axle trailer will handle better, but will cut your MPG.

How would an 03 Ram 1500 Hemi TCM do with towing a 3500 lb trailer??

parker · **Joined:** Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:05 am **Posts:** 20

I pull my 25ft hybrid camper regularly and the jeep pulls it great. About 6000lbs full loaded. In my opinion a weight distributing hitch is a must for any full size camper over say 18ft. The wheel base is just to short to handle emergency situations with that much trailer. A good quality brake controller is also a must. I highly recommend the Prodigy brand. Cheap brake controllers can lead to inconsistent application of the brakes which can be dangerous with a short wheelbase. My 2 cents

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:09 pm

I just bought a new hitch. I was getting some sway in high winds would have to slow down to 55. Has anyone use a Hensley Hitch before. Now looking for better trailer tires. This is a picture of the hitch waiting for mine to get here.

crd260 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:28 pm **Posts:** 103

pulled that up a steep mountain pass with the stock fan clutch and no GDE tune....

a few months later I had to take the head off and:

Change the head gasket
Change the lifters / rockers
Change the glow plugs
Clean the intake (VW style)

So the GDE tune is not optional (EGR delete)
And the fan clutch upgrade is not optional

one thing to keep in mind....
There is an electric fan on these jeeps..... under normal driving conditions you would never notice a dead fan clutch..... but when you add 3500-6000 lbs to the equation, the extra air provided by the mechanical fan is NOT optional......

The torque converter is kind of a grey area....

If you don't load the engine down in top gear, it's no problem... if you press your over-drive button, let the engine rev higher on inclines the stock TC will hold up..... jeep be sure to change your oil a little sooner because of the added revs.....

if you DO load the engine down in top gear with the TC in lockup (especially if you have a "full torque" eco or hot tune), your lockup clutches will start to slip.... this will create a "shudder" that's very distinct and very obvious.... if you want to solve THAT, you need to upgrade your TC (the boat I'm currently in)

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:55 pm

i have a full torque tune. Just got back from Destin Fl for Christmas. Was some long pulls up some good grades. I turn my heater on a few times to pull down the temp. Time for a fan. Torque converter soon than later.

bigbillyboy · **Joined:** Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:10 pm **Posts:** 75

I pull a 4500lb ski boat around all summer, and will second the notion that the Hayden HD fan is a must. Never heats up until pulling, but had to pull over a couple times to let it cool this summer. Changed the fan. Clutch and no problems. I don't have much frontal area, and do have very good Hyd trailer brakes.

Pulling a travel trailer

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