2012 Jeep Liberty to tow a 145RB?

[GoCougs]

Okay, so I've searched and searched and searched and I can't find any information on this particular subject. I have a 2012 145RB and a Ram 1500 ST, 2WD, Reg cab with the 3.7L 6cyl and a Prodigy brake controller. Tow rating for this truck is 3850lbs. No, really, that's what it is. Anyway, I'm thinking of trading it for a 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport w/factory tow package which includes an integrated sway control (I also have a friction sway control.) It's a super deal with a huge discount.

Does anyone know if this combo will work without a WDH? I really don't want to mess with a WDH (had one on a previous trailer a few years ago and while the ride was good, I hated hooking it up.) so won't get the Liberty if all you helpful people think it won't tow the little trailer. I've weighed the trailer loaded for camping and I don't come close to the 2900 GVWR for the trailer. BUT I know the front surface of the trailer affects the "towing experience."

I don't expect to be the first one up the hill but would like to MAKE it to the top. The only reason I'm considering trading the truck is that I recently changed jobs and it doesn't really fit in my parking spot at work. I can get the truck into the spot because I'm always the first one in the office. If I have to leave during the day, I can't get back into the spot since the lot is so small. Sometimes, I have to get in on the passenger side and crawl over to the driver's side because the car next to me is so close. One day, I couldn't get in either door. So, am looking for a mid-size SUV since I don't need the utility of the truck bed anymore. I like the looks, size, and options of the Liberty. I looked at the XTerra but I like the size of the Liberty better.

So, anyone out there have any insight into this combination?

Thank you in advance,
Laura

[Rustic Eagle]

Laura,

A lot depends on how the Jeep Liberty is configured (specified weight limits), and the OEM receiver's weight limits in the "weight carrying" & "weight distribution" modes.

Also, you mentioned that you had the 145RB weighed under loaded conditions, what was the loaded tongue weight??

Bringing the above information together will give you some insight on whether a WDH is required.

Also, the following JOF threads may be helpful on the subject of a Jeep Liberty as a tow vehicle (configurations may very):

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...t=jeep+liberty

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...t=jeep+liberty

Bob

[Seann45]

1) the liberty might have too short a wheelbase....
2) when hooking up your WD bars do you raise the tongue jack up high? doing this makes it much easier to attach the bars... that is why so many of us have electric tongue jacks

[GoCougs]

I picked up a 2012 Liberty today. The car dealership is owned by the same people that own the rv dealership so I was able to "test-tow" my trailer before I signed the papers. The Liberty did a great job and I hardly knew it was back there. I take it in tomorrow to have my brake controller installed and the sway bar plate moved to my new, shorter drop, ball mount. I also have to get some tow mirrors since the Liberty mirrors are much smaller than the ones on my truck. I will be ready to go camping soon!

Thanks for the help! This forum is awesome!

Laura

[exjay1]

Wouldnt hurt to get a small WDH for your set up expecially since its a pretty short wheel base and not to mention the added weight of passengers/gear etc when heading off on a trip. Though I have a diffrent TV and TT but somewhat in the same ball park as you, Ive learned over our past 1st year of owning out TT that Im going to be getting a WDH soon. The steering (or lack of) can get dicy when its pretty loaded down in the rear.

[GoCougs]

Thanks for all the replies. I will take it on a short trip after I get the tt back from the repair shop. I'll see how it does without the WDH and buy one if it's a white knuckle trip LOL Like I said it will be a short trip (somewhere local) just to make sure it tows okay and the leaks are fixed. I'll make sure I incorporate a jaunt on the freeway to see how it does with the traffic.

I did have a WDH before on a previous 26' trailer so know about jacking it higher to set the bars but thanks for the reminder! I found a lightweight WDH that would work with my trailer and have the web page bookmarked so I can order it if I need it.

I'm really looking forward to going camping again!

Thanks again everyone!

Laura

[Rustic Eagle]

Laura,

Since you have both the Jeep Liberty and the 145RB, IMO taking your loaded TV/TT combination to your local CAT scale will tell you a lot more than a modest test tow. The results of a CAT scale visit as you are aware will confirm your loaded tongue weight, if a WDH is required, etc., and most importantly if the proper weight remains on your TV's front axle thus insuring proper steering integrity and handling characteristics.

Please remember, the shorter the TV wheel base the greater the effect on the TV's front axle once the weight of the TT tongue is placed on the hitch ball. The Jeep Liberty suspension will react differently than your prior Ram 1500.

CAT how to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv

Travel safe, and enjoy the up-coming camping season

Bob

[Boss Wagon]

Just remember the 2012 Liberty , along with it's 3.7 engine are both dead players. The 3.7 was obsoleted by the new Pentastar 3.6 which was not intergrated into the Liberty due the fact it was slated for the final production run with the 2012edition.

That being said, this does not say the Liberty is a bad deal, it just means your resale value might wind up being a good deal for someone else down the road.