Same thing happened to me. I thought all new Jeeps were trail rated. I could blame the salesman for not pointing that out, but I guess I should have checked before I bought it <shrug>. I have a commander too, that will be my camp jeep vehicle.

I think that the Trail rated badge is some sort of scam!
I saw a jeep commander limited at my dealership and it had 18 chrome wheels... AND IT WAS TRAIL RATED!!! please explain to me how a commander with those wheels is trail rated?
it doesnt add up!

A little off topic but
ARE YOU GUYS ENJOYING SIRIUS 81? Its the XM/Sirius channel for christmas music!!!
I love Christmas!

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2009 4x4 Silver Liberty Limited Edition, Premium Group I and II, Skid Plate Group, Exterior Appearance Group by MOPAR, Select Trac II, Sky Slider,uconnect studios,Slush Mats, Hid HEADLAMPS, Interior LED light mod, Scangauge 2, AEM brute force intake, IPOD Integration interface for RER RADIOS, OEM Front end bra.

The commanders have bigger tires, which has more sidewall. The liberty with those wheels have less sidewalk and are more prone to blowouts out on a trail.

Haven't listened to that station yet, I loaded up all my Xmas music onto the mygig. It's nice having it all on there, and I can just select that playlist. So simple. I love it.

so its all about the sidewall ehh....
I thought those wheels/tires where more than enough for offroading/trail rated vehicle...
DEALER should WARN buyers about this issue

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2009 4x4 Silver Liberty Limited Edition, Premium Group I and II, Skid Plate Group, Exterior Appearance Group by MOPAR, Select Trac II, Sky Slider,uconnect studios,Slush Mats, Hid HEADLAMPS, Interior LED light mod, Scangauge 2, AEM brute force intake, IPOD Integration interface for RER RADIOS, OEM Front end bra.

I think they are fine for off road, but probably not for serious trails (the kind they trail rate these things on).

On road/dirt roads a lower profile tires is good/okay.If you want to offroad and more then the easy trails you want smaller rims so you have more sidewall.Most poeple these days want 18"-22" rims,I got 16" rims(with 32" tires) and I'm going to 15" rims(with 35" tires).

Now a 17" wheel is good for offroad if your running a 35"+ tires,heck 20" rims are good if you have 44"+ tires .


The "trail rated" dage is just a marketing gimik and nothing more,just a $5 sticker.

I have a 08 Limited that came with the 18" wheels and I took them off and replaced them with the stock 16" wheels and added new Bridgestone AT tires a size larger than stock.
I ordered a Trail Rated badge and now I'm happy.
I really like the look of the non chrome sport model but wanted all the options of a Limited. I now have the best of both worlds.

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2008 4X4 Jeep Cherokee Limited, Red Rock, with Skyslider, MyGig, tow package, skid plate package.
Patriot driving lights, roof rack side rails, replaced chrome with black trim and body colored grill. Mopar slush mats and rear cargo mat.

Hey jeepXK!
that is a neat idea, do you have any pics of your ride with the 16 wheels installed?
Ive always liked what you did to your KK! good taste man!
=)

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2009 4x4 Silver Liberty Limited Edition, Premium Group I and II, Skid Plate Group, Exterior Appearance Group by MOPAR, Select Trac II, Sky Slider,uconnect studios,Slush Mats, Hid HEADLAMPS, Interior LED light mod, Scangauge 2, AEM brute force intake, IPOD Integration interface for RER RADIOS, OEM Front end bra.

Actually dealer is asking for 45 bucks for that sticker!
but yeah... it IS a marketing gimik!

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2009 4x4 Silver Liberty Limited Edition, Premium Group I and II, Skid Plate Group, Exterior Appearance Group by MOPAR, Select Trac II, Sky Slider,uconnect studios,Slush Mats, Hid HEADLAMPS, Interior LED light mod, Scangauge 2, AEM brute force intake, IPOD Integration interface for RER RADIOS, OEM Front end bra.

Thanks!
I will get some fresh photos as soon as the weather clear a bit and I can get her washed.

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2008 4X4 Jeep Cherokee Limited, Red Rock, with Skyslider, MyGig, tow package, skid plate package.
Patriot driving lights, roof rack side rails, replaced chrome with black trim and body colored grill. Mopar slush mats and rear cargo mat.

I got my trail rated badge from Just for jeeps, it was $25 or so there.

Nice! thanks for the tip!
Ill look into just for jeeps!
=)

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2009 4x4 Silver Liberty Limited Edition, Premium Group I and II, Skid Plate Group, Exterior Appearance Group by MOPAR, Select Trac II, Sky Slider,uconnect studios,Slush Mats, Hid HEADLAMPS, Interior LED light mod, Scangauge 2, AEM brute force intake, IPOD Integration interface for RER RADIOS, OEM Front end bra.

Eh the trail rated badge is just a sales gimmick like someone already said. Now the LOST trail tested badge, that's the shiz! http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=12025&highlight=

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My question:

ill the 2009 Jeep Liberty be "trail rated"? I guess the real questions is with Premium Group II it adds 18 in wheels, does the liberty loose it's "trail rated" status? Is it possible to order Premium Group II with the 17 in wheels?

Response from Chrysler regarding this

Thank you for your email regarding the Jeep Liberty.

The 2009 Jeep Liberty is indeed trail rated. Your choice in wheels on
the Jeep Liberty does not change the fact that it is trail rated. I have
provided you with a link below which explains the test the Jeep Liberty
has to pass to become trail rated.

http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/trail_rated/

In another email I was told the following from Chrysler Customer service:

Thank you for your response.

Most trail rated Jeeps come with the "Trail Rated Badge". When ordering
or purchasing the Jeep make sure to inform the dealer that you would
like the "Trail Rated Badge" included and not after market.

So I emailed my salesmen regarding this and his response was:

I spoke to ***, who placed your order, and he contacted Chrysler and left a message with them requesting that be put on your vehicle. If I hear anything more, I will give you a call.

Thanks!

Only time will tell if I will actually have a "trail rated" badge. According to chrysler I should and "wheels" won't affect the "trail rated" status.

I thought I read on the Jeep website (once upon a time) that the wheels did indeed make the vehicle not officially trail rated. Maybe that was for the 08's, but I think the 09's and 08's have the same chrome clad wheels that are in question (the 18 inch wheels). So, does this come down to simply an ascetics issue as opposed to an Trail rated issue?

According to the wisdom at Chrysler wheels do not. The true answer will come when my jeep arrives.

On another note they should have had an option of 17 inch tires or 18 inch tires when you went with Premium Group II.