Towing a Jeep Liberty

[doublebit]

OK - thanks to the advice of many, I am going to tow my 2005 Jeep Liberty, "4 down". I know that I need a base plate kit for the Jeep and a tow bar. What else is needed/required to tow?

[subtroll]

We have towed our 2004 Jeep Liberty more than 120,000 miles but have experienced three major failures! All with Blue-Ox baseplates and tow bars.

The BO my baseplates were professionally installed IAW Blue Ox instructions with only two bolts on either side. The box beams in the crumple-zone of the Jeep are 0.040" thick (2/3 of a sixteenth)and my base plate kit did not have any addition connections to the frame. I pulled my baseplate completely off on two occasions and since the safety chains are attached to the same plate did not serve any purpose. My baseplate is currently installed with 4 bolts per side and backed up with heavy backing bars. My third failure was a failure of the tow bar...one bar un-threaded and dropped to the ground. A roll pin shattered which was intended to prevent un-threading.

Blue OX sent me a new topw bar at no cost. They fully stand by their products. I still consider Blue OX to be among the best.

My advice is to make absolutely sure the base plate is installed properly with the proper locktite and with a secondary connection to the cars frame for safety chains.

I can provide photos by PM.

[OLYLEN]

Just towed a 4-runner four down for 6000 miles with the ready brute system and the blue OX base plate. Was the cheapest QUALITY tow bar base plate and brake system I could find. Quick EZ hookup and unhook plus no battery drain from the brake system. Did have to dynamite the brakes one time and BOY does it work. I'm happy with the system and not much can go wrong.

LEN

[Jim_Norman]

Blue Ox Base plate and Blue Ox tow bar, rated 10,000 pounds. I have the US Gear brake system, expensive, but it is simply there. hook up, plug in and go. 2008 jeep, steering is always unlocked. We have separate bulbs in the taillights. Ignition is OFF when towing. Do keep in mind you are racking up miles on the car that are not on the odometer, this is especially true regarding the brakes and you will of course need tires sooner than the indicated mileage. We have78k on the OD and probably 30k additional towing, maybe more.

[phays]

Towing mmy '06 Liberty for 9 years.

Used a body shop to install brackets; their labor rates are lower than rv shop. SMI Air Force One but would consider the Stay-in-play today. Roadmaster tow hardware but would consider Demco today. The Demco bar just pivots sideways for storage, not lift and pivot. I drilled 1" holes in the lower tail light housing for new tail light bulbs and use red LEDs.

Don't forget to wire the license plate light. Got stopped one night because no light when my sloppy connection failed. I used extra LEDs to the license plate; similar to this one SuperbrightsLED

Oh, I too use a dumb key for the ignition.

[2gypsies1]

We just sold our 2004 Jeep Liberty that had 70,000 towed miles and an additional 90,000 FUN miles. Still nice after 160,000 miles!! You'll love your Liberty if you will do off-roading. We didn't have any problems with it. We use Blue Ox and Brake Buddy.

[stripit]

Add me to the very happy with the SMI Stay & Play Duo owners list. So easy to set up and use. I also purchased the Blue Ox base plate and hitch.

[AZAmmochief]

I've been towing my Liberty, 4 down, for six years and over 11K miles. I have the Blue Ox tow bar and SMI brake system with total success, never had a problem. The Liberty tows like a dream. enjoy the system.

[John_Wayne]

For a brake system I like the SMI stay and play Duo. separate bulbs in the tail lights. Blue ox base plate and tow bar.

[Bumpyroad]

a braking system for the toad
bumpy

[RichNewcome]

The only thing I would add to Executive's post is to have a non-chipped key made to use to unlock the steering.

[Executive45]

Some depends on your preferences. Here's my opinion since you asked for it. Assuming money is a factor in your life, to get the most bang for your buck this is what I would do.

1. Base plate - Stick with the known mfg. Remco, BlueOx etc. My preference is BlueOx mainly because I've had excellent results from their service personnel at rallies etc.

2. Tow bar - again personal preference. I've used several but the absolute best I've found is the ReadyBrute from NSA. It also incorporates the ReadyBrake system which is a proportional braking system so no external braking system is required. No extra 'stuff' to plug in, no extra 'stuff' to wire up, etc. etc.

3. ReadyStop - This little jewel runs a cable between your coach and toad. If the toad disconnects from the coach it will stop in it's tracks. This prevents the toad from potentially sailing across the fwy and hitting someone head on.

4. Wiring - again personal preference. You can use the toad's wiring system and tap into it with no issues but you'll need a diode to prevent back feeding, you can add separate bulbs by drilling a hole in the existing tail light housing and wire a complete separate system, or you can buy the magnetic light bars from Harbor Freight that you place on the roof of the toad. I prefer to use the Jeep's existing wiring and run it through there.

That's it. If you're not doing the work yourself, expect to pay about $1000 for the materials and about $500 in labor for the install. Best of luck....Dennis

Base Plate

Tow Bar - Ready Brute

Ready Stop - Emergency Breakaway System