Well i tried to do as much background work as i could.We have a 2006 Jeep Liberty with a 5000lb towing capacity we are picking up are new TT on Saturday a 2014 Kodiak 200QB with a weight rating as equipt of 3980lbs.I'm getting a weight distribution and sway bar hitch.Did i run my weight capability to close? I'm not planning on towing with a full tank of water thanks for replying

If that 3980 is what the trailer weighs now, you need to figure on adding another 800-1000 lbs not including water. Propane, pots/pans, clothes, food, etc all adds up. If you pack light you could be at +500 lbs bringing the total weight to around 4500 lbs, very close to your tow ratings. Don't forget that about 13% of that weight, or around 600 lbs, is going to be on the hitch, so you need to account for that when you pack the Liberty also to be sure you are the GVWR of the vehicle.Best thing to do is bring it home, pack it up, and head to the scales and see what everything really weighs, then you can see how close you are to ratings. Just a guess on my part but I think you will be shopping for a bigger vehicle to tow with soon.

Not enough TV. The Jeep may be a nice vehicle, but that short and light of a vehicle could make for a really scary ride if you encounter any wind or even a semi passing you. It's towing rating is based using a flat bed trailer with the weight in sand bags placed on it. Totally different from towing a TT.

You didn't mention if that Liberty is factory or has the upgrades (tranny cooler, etc) on it.I had a Suburban that was rated for 5500 lbs and I towed a 4500 lb (dry) 25 ft TT, with accessories, on flat ground, with myself and my wife. Total weight would easily be around 5200-5400 lbs. After about 2 trips in the summer (150 miles each), tranny died. I did not have a tranny cooler on it. This was back a few years in one of the hottest summers MN had.On my Dodge Ram 3/4 ton, we put in the tranny cooler, and it had the towing and snow plow packages added. I towed a 6800 lb (dry) 29 foot trailer with that and again, we got fairly close to max at around 8200 lbs. The difference was that a WD hitch on that one helped. Any hills were less than exciting though.Also the Liberty is kind of short wheelbase so it depends on how comfortable you are when it's all loaded up. A slight breeze could make you ... less comfortable.

I would be worried driving that combo. I bet you are way over your cargo capacity with the hitch weight. I wouldn't touch anything but a pop-up with that TV.

MNGeeks61 wrote:You didn't mention if that Liberty is factory or has the upgrades (tranny cooler, etc) on it.I had a Suburban that was rated for 5500 lbs and I towed a 4500 lb (dry) 25 ft TT, with accessories, on flat ground, with myself and my wife. Total weight would easily be around 5200-5400 lbs. After about 2 trips in the summer (150 miles each), tranny died. I did not have a tranny cooler on it. This was back a few years in one of the hottest summers MN had.On my Dodge Ram 3/4 ton, we put in the tranny cooler, and it had the towing and snow plow packages added. I towed a 6800 lb (dry) 29 foot trailer with that and again, we got fairly close to max at around 8200 lbs. The difference was that a WD hitch on that one helped. Any hills were less than exciting though.Also the Liberty is kind of short wheelbase so it depends on how comfortable you are when it's all loaded up. A slight breeze could make you ... less comfortable.Yes the Jeep has a Tranny clooler on it.

Newbie to towing with question | Good Sam Community

rexlion
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
It will take you a while to reach highway speed, that's for sure.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2014
nomad297 wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
MNGeeks61 wrote:
The weight of the hitch itself has to be added too.

Maybe 100 lbs for the hitch, 600 lbs for necessities, 300 pounds for you and the wife and boom, you are right at max towing capacity. As mentioned, a short wheelbase also is going to impact your comfort zone...

Some manufacturers call the "dry" weight anything without accessories like a roof A/C, so the max comes even closer. I wouldn't be towing that with a Liberty.

The Yellow sticker on the TT is the weight of the TT you see sitting on the lot. If it has a AC, it is included in the sticker weight, as is propane tanks, awning, stove, and well what ever is on it as you see it.

Unless added by the dealer.

Bruce

Actually. IF the dealer adds anything. (rare in this time) He has to change the sticker, so that it stays correct.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
Hello Brox, Fellow Jeepster.

I, too, tow with a Liberty. But, we are comparing apples to oranges, because I have the diesel. I took my unit by the CAT scales, full of water, with the family, on my way to a campground. Granted, I only had the water full for weighing, and I never travel full of water. Anyways, I was 100lbs over GVW on the Jeep and I was 4400 on trailer if I recall.

Anyways, get the BEST WDH you can. Either the Equal-i-zer 4p or the Reese Dual Cam straightline. You will need it. I rented a 24 foot Amerilite before buying the Roo, and with a cheapo WDH, I was not a happy camper.

Another thing, change the tires. I am running P rated Hankook Dynapro ATM in 245/70R16 XL rated. But, if I was to do it again, I would get with LT245/70R16 in either Cooper Discover AT3 or Falken Wild Peaks.

If you are travelling flat, you should be able to do it. If you start doing hills, you will struggle. I have loads more power in my 2.8 diesel with the Green Diesel tune than you have in your 3.7. Best of luck. Any questions, feel free to PM me.
Speedogomer
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
Unfortunately you'll be right at the max if you're packing light. It's possible you could stay under weight if you really focus on staying light weight, almost a backpacker mentality.

A new tow vehicle would be a worthwhile investment if it's in the budget.

Your jeep will tow it, I have no question about that but it may be a difficult and at times frustrating experience.
nomad297
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
Terryallan wrote:
MNGeeks61 wrote:
The weight of the hitch itself has to be added too.

Maybe 100 lbs for the hitch, 600 lbs for necessities, 300 pounds for you and the wife and boom, you are right at max towing capacity. As mentioned, a short wheelbase also is going to impact your comfort zone...

Some manufacturers call the "dry" weight anything without accessories like a roof A/C, so the max comes even closer. I wouldn't be towing that with a Liberty.

The Yellow sticker on the TT is the weight of the TT you see sitting on the lot. If it has a AC, it is included in the sticker weight, as is propane tanks, awning, stove, and well what ever is on it as you see it.

Unless added by the dealer.

Bruce
Terryallan
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2014
MNGeeks61 wrote:
The weight of the hitch itself has to be added too.

Maybe 100 lbs for the hitch, 600 lbs for necessities, 300 pounds for you and the wife and boom, you are right at max towing capacity. As mentioned, a short wheelbase also is going to impact your comfort zone...

Some manufacturers call the "dry" weight anything without accessories like a roof A/C, so the max comes even closer. I wouldn't be towing that with a Liberty.

The Yellow sticker on the TT is the weight of the TT you see sitting on the lot. If it has a AC, it is included in the sticker weight, as is propane tanks, awning, stove, and well what ever is on it as you see it.
MNGeeks61
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
The weight of the hitch itself has to be added too.

Maybe 100 lbs for the hitch, 600 lbs for necessities, 300 pounds for you and the wife and boom, you are right at max towing capacity. As mentioned, a short wheelbase also is going to impact your comfort zone...

Some manufacturers call the "dry" weight anything without accessories like a roof A/C, so the max comes even closer. I wouldn't be towing that with a Liberty.
Brox
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
nomad297 wrote:
Here's the specs for the 2006 Liberty.

Did yours come equipped with a tow package?

Bruce

Yes Bruce it came equipped with the tow package
nomad297
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
Here's the specs for the 2006 Liberty.

Did yours come equipped with a tow package?

Bruce
downtheroad
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
New member, welcome to the Forum.

I'm going to be nice:
Load very, very light and stay very close to home..on flat ground.