Does anyone know what the maximum acceptable tongue weight is for the 2005 Liberty CRD?

newell

Acceptable or officially supported/allowed/recommended?

Acceptable would be fine!

newell

Let me preface this with the fact that there are a million varibles.... And you are at your own risk any time you exceed the official specifications.

The CRD is rated to tow 5000 lbs. The powertrain could handle more - I would give it 7500 lbs easily. However, the Liberty has a short wheelbase, is a small vehicle, and only weighs about 5000 lbs itself. So going over 5000 lbs trailer weight puts you at risk for handling and stability issues.

These can be mitigated by good trailer design, good loading, sway control, electronic brakes, and load distributing hitches.

Also, tounge weight is affected by the length of your ball mount. Because of the Liberty spare tire it is common to use extended length ball mounts. Mine is 11 inches. These reduce your tounge capacity because they move the weight farther behind the rear axle. I am sure there is a magic formula somewhere relating to distance effect on tounge weight - but I have not found it.

Your tounge weight is supposed to be 10 to 15 % of your trailer weight. Which is why they have the 750 lb cap, which is 15% of 5000. I would therefore - in the real world, with all of the required equipment and using a short ball mount, you could probably go with a 1000 lb maximum tounge weight and a 7500 lb maximum trailer weight.

HOWEVER - THIS IS NOT OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED AND IS ONLY MY OPINION BASED ON MY EXPERIENCES. YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

And remember, anything that big or heavy will be hard to handle with the Liberty. Electronic brakes, sway control, and load distributing hitches would be highly beneficial in these situations.

Also, any gear you have in the Liberty itself would reduce tounge capacity as it all is loaded on the rear axle....