Towing Package

ryan_p17 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:42 pm

I'm currently in the market for a used 09 Liberty for my next vehicle. I've been looking online and went to my local dealership and talked to them about whats available. They said that there are quite a few former "daily rentals", which are usually the Sport package with around 20-30K km's on them for around $20k (Canadian). I told them that I would want the towing package because from my research it has heavy duty engine cooling (i think a larger electric fan), power steering cooler, full size spare, trailer hitch/wiring and trailer sway group, which I'm sure all of you are aware of. Now because these vehicles were daily rentals, Chrysler Canada did not order the towing package. I'm here asking what I should do in this situation. Can I buy the towing kit and have it installed at the dealer. This is a $750 option in Canada, but I'm sure at the dealer it will be quite a bit more as it will be installed in their shop and not a assembly line. I plan on towing my quad or two and trailer (about 1500-2500lbs) and down the road get a boat. Now for hunting I travel 800kms, one-way, towing that trailer with 1 or 2 quads in a rather hilly area. I'm asking what are the limitations without the trailer group if I can't find one with the factory trailer group already installed. I searched around and couldn't find much. Thanks in advance.

Weldnfab · **Posted:** Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:55 pm

We bought one of those "Avis Rentals" from a dealer here....(29 k miles, 17,000 dollars U.S.....) had it seperately inspected by another rival dealer prior to purchase.... claims we got a very good deal for condition (excellant) and dollars...) the vehicle has no problems pulling my 15.5 ft bass boat w/40 hp yamaha outboard and trailor.... estimated weight 1800 lbs total, of which around 100 lbs. is tongue weight... we have been all over west michigan in recent months and plan on taking it to Michigans Upper peninsula soon full of camping/hunting gear.... I would only say that at legal highway speeds( 70 mph) the trailor is very light and slightly bouncy.... so we usually slow it down a little speed wise for highway traveling (62 mph +-) and it pulls fine then... ( the U.P.trip is gonna be around 850 miles round trip...) I have no doubts it can and will handle it easily. Hope this helps. :JEEPIN:

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:00 pm

I had test driven an 08 sport with the towing package and skid plate group, but could not make a deal with the dealership.So I bought a 08 sport and added the hitch and wire harness, skid and tow hooks. I would think you would be OK doing this too.

ryan_p17 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:33 am

I'm not too concerned about the rental part of it as the dealer said that they can scan the vehicles computer and check things like engine hours, average speed, rpms and redlines and things like that to see if a vehicle has been beaten. I was looking for input like you guys have provided on not having the complete towing package but just the wiring harness and hitch installed and how it performs and behaves. Thanks for the input and anything else is welcome.

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:23 pm

ryan_p17 wrote:

... Can I buy the towing kit and have it installed at the dealer. This is a $750 option in Canada, but I'm sure at the dealer it will be quite a bit more as it will be installed in their shop and not a assembly line....

I'd question what they're installing for $750CA. If they're doing everything that would've been done at the factory, so besides installing the tow hitch and necessary wiring, are they also then installing the 2nd cooling so you'll get both mechanical and electrical cooling, the power steering cooler, etc. If they are indeed doing all that and you felt the vehicle otherwise was a good match for your plans, I'd go for the tow package upgrade. I ordered my KK with the OEM tow package and my KK has never overheated, including in situations where other (KJ) Liberties did.

ryan_p17 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:49 pm

What I meant by a $750 for the towing package was if it was ordered from the factory like that. I was saying that at the dealer it would probably be quite a bit more to install it on a used Liberty. This is why I'm trying to find one with the towing package because without the additional cooling it appears the Liberty is only rated for 2000lbs.

Tittiez · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:42 pm

I bought the 2008 Sport 4x4 in a situation like you were saying, it was a rental and didn't have the tow package. I installed the hitch receiver myself along with the wiring which came out to cost me about $200-$250, and it tows great! I've towed up to about 3,000 lbs taking it easy of course, and had no overheating problems, so I'd say with what you have to tow, you'd probably be safe.

ryan_p17 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:20 pm

Tittiez wrote:

I bought the 2008 Sport 4x4 in a situation like you were saying, it was a rental and didn't have the tow package. I installed the hitch receiver myself along with the wiring which came out to cost me about $200-$250, and it tows great! I've towed up to about 3,000 lbs taking it easy of course, and had no overheating problems, so I'd say with what you have to tow, you'd probably be safe.

I've been doing some searching and found exactly what you are talking about. The mopar hitch and mopar wiring harness, so the only thing missing is the full size spare, extra engine cooling and power steering cooler. I won't be towing much more than 3000 lbs myself so I don't see an issue not having the coolers as you said. IF somewhere down the line I need to tow more, I will add them myself. Thanks for the replies.

Towing Package

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