Need advice on this setup please!

[jeffz]

Greetings all and happy Veterans Day. I am just getting ready to pull the trigger on my first travel trailer and I am getting some nerves about my setup.

My tow vehicle is a 2008 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 with factory tow package. The listed specs for my setup are:

5000# tow capacity
750# tongue weight
25 foot max TT length
64 sqft max TT front

The trailer I am looking at is a 2012 Forest River Flagstaff Micro Lite 18RB.

The specs of the TT are:

2770# dry weight
365# hitch weight
18'9" LOA
62.5 sqft frontal area (the front is rounded as well)

In addition to the factory Jeep tow package which include a tranny cooler, Class III receiver, and electronic trailer sway control, I am purchasing a Tekonsha P2 electronic brake controller and a Fastway E2 weight distribution hitch with sway control.

I know I am within the stated capacities of my tow vehicle, but I just want to get some opinions as this is my first TT. We just moved from NC to CA, and my dad towed this liberty with a 6X12 enclosed trailer packed front to back with household goods and said it pulled and handled fine even without the trailer brakes and weight distribution hitch, but I realize the surface area of the TT will be greater than the motorcycle trailer we used to move.

Do you guys think I will be fine? Also, should I upgrade my tires before trying to tow? The dealership is 350 miles away for once I am there, I am all in and do not want to get on the road and realize I have a 6 hour drive ahead of me to regret all my decisions!

Thanks!

[dodge_guy]

4500rpm out of an overhead cam engine sounds right, that is where they're making their power!

Either way, congrats on the new TV!

[jeffz]

Thanks all. Hopefully we will get out somewhere prettier than a rest area so we can see what camping is really about! 2112: I was really thinking about that ecoboost, but in the end GMC gave me a Godfather deal and made me an offer I couldn't refuse!

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Congrats on new truck!

Make this thread a stickie! In all seriousness, hopefully more read it early in the process.

[2112]

Thanks for the update and sharing your experience.
Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do to get where we want to be.

Now go out and have some fun 🙂

[bikendan]

Congrats in your new TV!:B

sadly, too many have learned the same lesson that you have.
at least you made a great change.

[jeffz]

Hey all just wanted to leave an update here for those searching on towing with a Liberty. Well we finally picked up the TT and got it equipped with a Prodigy trailer brake and an Equalizer weight distribution hitch and anti-sway system. We towed to back from the California coast to Northern Cal about a total of 6 hours mostly on I5. I could definitely tell the trailer was back there. Sway was minimal even being passed by big rifs hauling down the interstate. Had no problems stopping or maneuvering, even in a downpour. The main problem is the power. I averaged 11 mpg which I thought was OK, but in the end the Liberty was working way too hard for me to be comfortable with. Anything with a slight grade would have me drilling the engine at 4500 rpm. This is a 2800 pound trailer... The 5000 pound rating is very generous and would have to be something with almost no drag unless you want to blow an engine.

Despite the Liberty, we loved RVing, stayed over the night and ate dinner in a rest stop so we weren't about to give up on the idea. I ended up trading my Wrangler in today for a new Sierra 1500 with max tow package and will be hitting the road this week. I know I will have much greater peace of mind knowing the 5.3 is barely breaking a sweat.

Summary: if you must tow with a Liberty, stick to a popup. Anything that introduces drag will really work the already very un-aerodynamic rig.

[stripit]

I owned a 2008 Liberty limited and had to tow a couple of U-Haul trailers with it over the time I owned it. Only hauled a golf cart once and one time a bunch of ceramic tile for a house redo. That Liberty was only marginally ok on gas without a trailer and sucked when towing. The wheel base of the Jeep was to me just too short to make for an enjoyable ride. It seemed to have enough power but just not what I would call a qualified towing machine. I hope it works out for you but for me I would never consider towing a decent size trailer for any length of time nor distance.

[jeffz]

Thanks everyone for the responses I am feeling better about the setup. Roy, my Liberty has the Select Trac 4WD system, so I should have 3.73 gears. Not sure if that helps any with strain on the rear end, but it is my understanding that that is the gearing Jeep now uses with their max tow packages on the Wrangler. But again, this is a Liberty and is rated much higher in capacities than my 2015 Wrangler Unlimited for some reason. I did take a jam paked 5x8 UHaul cross country with the Wrangler and it didn't even break a sweat but I won't tow a TT with that until I do a lot more research into why it is rated so low.

[fitznj]

"It was just common knowledge back then that any of the JEEPS were not to be used to tow anything... "

Not sure if this is urban legend but I towed with 2 different Jeeps (both used the straight 6) for 7 years and around 30,000 miles. A friend also had the Cherokee and we towed our rally cars (4,000lbs) and travel trailer all over the NorthEast. Neither of us had a single problem.

I also towed with a TJ and the short wheel base made each trip a white knuckle affair - I got rid of that quickly

[jstar]

Your within specs so I think you will be fine.

[RoyB]

I don't know about the newer JEEPS but my 99 TJ JEEP WRANGLER went through a rear end pretty quick just doing some modest towing of my 4200lb trailer setup... It had plenty of power and all but had to replace the gears in the rearend.

This was also true for my older Jeeps. It was just common knowledge back then that any of the JEEPS were not to be used to tow anything...

You can pile four large guys in a Jeep wrangler and it becomes pretty apparent what it can do...

Don't have any experiences with the newer JEEPS used for towing...

Roy Ken

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Warning on LT tires. I've driven a pickup of some sort as my daily driver since early 90's and never minded the "truck ride." I switched to LT tires several years ago and hate the ride when not towing and I've tried a variety of air pressures. By all means add LT if the specs demand it and you are towing regularly but don't switch just because LT's are presumed better.

[RJCorazza]

The other spec to consider is GVWR. At around 1000 lb cargo capacity keep track of what goes into your suv. Tongue weight goes against the suv cargo capacity, so you will likely have about 550 lbs left over for all passengers and cargo. Certainly all within reason.
You specifically mention tires.... Plenty of folks tow with P rated tires, but also FYI plenty of folks complain about the sidewall flexing and mushy feel. I prefer LT tires in higher load ranges, but I pay for it with a stiff unloaded ride.
All said, I would go with your current setup and see how It handles.

[fitznj]

When I first read your post - I went UUUmmmmmmm. Then I looked up the TT and think t=you will be okay,

The one factor people forget is wheel-base..............probably the most important factor for safe towing. But your setup will work nicely. I had a similar setup but had the older Cherokee and towed a 19ft camper.

Keep the speeds below 65 and you should have a positive experience.