Trailer Towing

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:43 pm

Hi folks,

I am new to travel trailer towing. My family and I will be purchasing a travel trailer for next summer. In laymen's terms, can someone help me in finding out how much I can haul?

I have a 2002 Liberty 4x4. The previous owner has a Class III hitch on it and aftermarket transmission cooler.

When looking at the manual, it says max trailer weight with class III hitch is 5000 lbs. I am not sure of this, and also do I need to be checking the max combined weight of trailer and Jeep? I have been told by my friend that I should only be looking at a trailer of 3500lbs or so. I am looking at a Keystone Bullet that weights a shade over 4000lbs, as far as I can tell. I know that once you put dishes, etc in the camper, that also adds to the total weight.

Anyone who can help me understand my limitations with the Jeep would be a great help!!

Thanks.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:19 pm

5000lbs tow rating is when the HD cooling is added which adds a mechanical fan along with the electric cooling fan.Good you already have a AUX trans cooler and the PS cooler should be standard for '02's so no worry there.As long as the trailer has brakes you should be just fine if you keep the total weight under 4000lbs.You'd really want the HD cooling's mechanical fan for going closer to the 5k mark.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:24 am

What is an HD Cooling Fan and PS cooler? One trailer we are looking at is around 4300lbs, which is likely getting too heavy, before anything is put in it, such as dishes, bedding, etc?? What are your thoughts?

One trailer is a Crossroads Slingshot weighing in around 4000lbs and the other a Keystone Bullet at around 4300lbs. For any of you that may haul trailers, they both brag that they are super-lights. The Slingshot boasts that it can be hauled by the family van.

I am just very confused about what the Jeep will handle, and what I can and can't consider for a trailer we are in the market for, which bunks, etc.

Thanks,

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

HD cooling fan is for the engine, and the PS is a power steering cooler. I agree, to go to 5k, you need the HD cooling fan as well as the electric fan already there.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:38 am

What about if the trailer is 4000-4300 lbs? Do I need to add an HD cooler and PS cooler? Did someone say the PS cooler is standard on 2002 liberty?

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

That could work. It's worth a shot, but I'd still do the HD cooling for peace of mind. But, you could get by without as long as you don't let it over heat.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:47 pm

JeepBeat, check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?p=377197

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:58 am

Guys, here is what I am looking at. I found a really nice trailer that suits us perfectly. A 2011 Shadow Cruiser, that weights in at 4000lbs dry weight. The dealer will put on a weight distributing hitch and anti sway control that hooks to the trailer, along with the electric brake controller. The Jeep Liberty already has a stock PS cooler and an aftermarket Tranny cooler installed. Do you guys think I will need a Heavy Duty Fan cooler installed too? If the Jeep is rated at 5000lbs max, do you think this trailer fits the window? I will not be travelling with tons of gear inside it, nor will I be travelling from campground to campground with full tanks of water and waste. They will be empty. What are your thoughts?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:13 pm

JeepBeat wrote:

Do you guys think I will need a Heavy Duty Fan cooler installed too?

I wouldn't want to tow 4,000 lbs without the HD mechanical/electric fan combo.

JeepBeat wrote:

If the Jeep is rated at 5000lbs max, do you think this trailer fits the window?

I think it fits the window, but I also think that Jeep was very generous with their tow rating numbers.

JeepBeat wrote:

I will not be travelling with tons of gear inside it, nor will I be travelling from campground to campground with full tanks of water and waste. They will be empty. What are your thoughts?

My suggestions are to re-gear to 4:10's, add the HD cooling kit, lockout overdrive, and go have fun. :mrgreen:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:55 pm

You may or may not be okay.The biggest plus you have going is you have the better 45RFE trans unlike the newer KJ's and the less then steler minivan trans(42RLE).I'd do it but not for any long trips,nothing over 150-250 miles and then on flat land only.Get into the hills/mountains or longer drives adding the HD cooling is almost a must.Why chance it? But it's your KJ and you can do anything you want,not my $$$ being wasted.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:02 pm

Would you Put an HD fan kit on anyway? What are the costs? At 28' is a superlight like this too long for the KJ?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:11 pm

They used to sell a HD cooling kit for like $250 but that is long gone so you got to piece together the kit and you need the big fan shroud,electric fan for that shroud(the one you have now will not work) and the mechanical fan(clutch and plastic fan) which would be about $700 now.

28' is pretty long for a KJ,doable but you'll be fighting it pretty good as the KJ just does not have the wheelbase to handle that long of a trailer.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:24 pm

Too long even with weight dist hitch and anti sway bars?

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:59 pm

For right now I am not planning to travel long distance, maybe 100kms each way tops. I live in PEI, Canada and want to camp On weekends with my family. Would the Jeep handle the 28' lightweight for distance like that? If so, and I could get by, I would maybe look at a tow vehicle if I wanted to travel long trips outside the province or to the US. Any thOughts would be helpful. Some say the length is too long, but I would not be traveling really far or fast on our rural highways. The dealer will Put on the anti sway and weight dist hitch.

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

Length I think is covered in the manual, but 28 feet is near max, but still in range I think. For the HD engine fan, I'd start looking in junk yards. Also, make sure the tires are up to the task.

JeepBeat · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:13 pm

Manual says 25', but that was in 2002. I wondered if today's lightweight trailers may be engineered and build differently that 28' may still be doable?

secondechomatt · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:44 pm

Oof....that's a lot of trailer to pull. With all the money being invested, if towing a trailer is your goal, sell the lib and get a full size truck.

cgass · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:52 pm

secondechomatt wrote:

Oof....that's a lot of trailer to pull. With all the money being invested, if towing a trailer is your goal, sell the lib and get a full size truck.

x2 Hate to say it, but I agree. I would be a little concerned about having everything in the upper limits of the libbys capabilities. With 4000lbs dry weight by the time you add supplies you'll be real close to the max. If the manual states 25' as the max and the trailer is 28' that might be pushing it a little too hard. If you're going to have to spend the money to retrofit the libby with the HD fan, not to mention the amount you'll be spending on the trailer it may be a better investment to purchase a full size truck. Do you plan on using your jeep for anything other than towing that a truck wouldn't be able to do? i.e. wheeling

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:13 pm

28 feet is too long for the KJ. You really need a Full-sized truck. Do you need a large camper? Why not a 14 – 18 footer?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:19 pm

JeepBeat wrote:

28' may still be doable?

You don’t want to end up in a situation where the tail is wagging the dog. :shock:

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