[MTandZ]

Would it be too much to tow a 4400 lbs trailer on a 1200 mile trip that has a couple good climbs with a Liberty CRD? Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[rob92xj]

As long as the trailer weight is less then 5000 lbs your good to go.

[Beacon]

Originally Posted by MTandZ

Would it be too much to tow a 4400 lbs trailer on a 1200 mile trip that has a couple good climbs with a Liberty CRD? Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

That can be a pretty big load on a Liberty, but it's doable. A lot of factors come into play. What kind of trailer . . . number of axels . . . proper hitch . . . proper trailer brakes . . . weight distribution . . . experience of driver . . .

I have a 25' Hi-Lo travel trailer that weighs in somewhere around that and it tows behind my 3.7 L Liberty gasser with little problem because of a low center of gravity and low-drag wind profile. I've not pulled it up any mountains yet, but I suspect there would be some slower going in lower gears on much of a grade. I also have pulled a 20' 'lightweight' (around 3600 lbs) travel trailer some (not a lot . . . it's new) and even though it weighs quite a bit less, the tow vehicle has to work harder to maintain highway speeds because of the higher profile wind drag.

Is this a trailer you're used to pulling with something else?

[RFCRD]

Originally Posted by Beacon

I have a 25' Hi-Lo travel trailer that weighs in somewhere around that and it tows behind my 3.7 L Liberty gasser with little problem because of a low center of gravity and low-drag wind profile.

What you say is true about the effect of trailer configuration but there is HUGE difference between the towing charactoristics of a 3.7 gasser and a CRD.

[BVCRD]

Originally Posted by RFCRD

What you say is true about the effect of trailer configuration but there is HUGE difference between the towing charactoristics of a 3.7 gasser and a CRD.

Yea, night and day.

[Beacon]

Originally Posted by BVCRD

Yea, night and day.

So you've towed heavy loads with both?

[Beacon]

Originally Posted by RFCRD

What you say is true about the effect of trailer configuration but there is HUGE difference between the towing charactoristics of a 3.7 gasser and a CRD.

Sure, I understand that the CRD has more torque and will make it up a grade better than the gasser.

So, yes, the CRD will likely be a more pleasant haul. As long as the driver is experienced enough to handle a trailer that weighs about as much as the short wheelbase tow vehicle and has made all the correct towing preparations.

But the CRD is just as apt to careen off the road out of control when a heavy trailer starts swaying after meeting a speeding semi on a winding 2-lane road, eh?

[BVCRD]

Originally Posted by Beacon

So you've towed heavy loads with both?

Yes. I asked to use a loaner and put a loaded u-hual on behind the 3.7. Then did the same with a CRD. Guess which one I bought? I did this little experiment going up Ponch Pass outside of Salida, CO. I felt the 3.7 was doggy. Try a CRD. You will probably be selling the 3.7 tomorrow if you do much towing.

[BVCRD]

Originally Posted by Beacon

Sure, I understand that the CRD has more torque and will make it up a grade better than the gasser.

So, yes, the CRD will likely be a more pleasant haul. As long as the driver is experienced enough to handle a trailer that weighs about as much as the short wheelbase tow vehicle and has made all the correct towing preparations.

But the CRD is just as apt to careen off the road out of control when a heavy trailer starts swaying after meeting a speeding semi on a winding 2-lane road, eh?

Anti-sway bars on the hitch make a word of difference. I towed a 25' travel trailer and hardly knew a semi was passing me on I-70.

[dcxman]

Originally Posted by BVCRD

Anti-sway bars on the hitch make a word of difference. I towed a 25' travel trailer and hardly knew a semi was passing me on I-70.

I towed right at 5k for 650 mi with a tow dolly. It got a little hairy at times,
especially when going downhill. But otherwise, it's hard to tell it's even
behind you.

[RFCRD]

Originally Posted by Beacon

But the CRD is just as apt to careen off the road out of control when a heavy trailer starts swaying after meeting a speeding semi on a winding 2-lane road, eh?

Very true. I'm not into towing anything unless absolutely necessary and see the Liberty as way too small to handle a big boxy trailer, with or without a sway control hitch. Has more than enough grunt but keeping it on the road is another matter.

The last big camper trailer I pulled was with a Ford Excursion PSD. Had all the sway control hardware and it was all I could do to control the rig when semi's went blowing by at 75+ mph. The Liberty seem like a toy compared to the Excursion.

[BVCRD]

Originally Posted by RFCRD

Very true. I'm not into towing anything unless absolutely necessary and see the Liberty as way too small to handle a big boxy trailer, with or without a sway control hitch. Has more than enough grunt but keeping it on the road is another matter.

The last big camper trailer I pulled was with a Ford Excursion PSD. Had all the sway control hardware and it was all I could do to control the rig when semi's went blowing by at 75+ mph. The Liberty seem like a toy compared to the Excursion.

I really don't see an issue here, given that in high winds, (semis) you slow down, gear down and drive with some common sense.

[Beacon]

Originally Posted by BVCRD

I really don't see an issue here, given that in high winds, (semis) you slow down, gear down and drive with some common sense.

The problem with that logic is that you have to assume that everyone has the same level of experience (or level of common sense) that you do and therefore thinks like you.

That's why I asked the OP if he'd ever pulled this particular trailer with anything else. I was gauging his experience level.

I'm still not sure whether MTandZ's question was prompted by his uncertainty with regard to the CRD engine's ability to pull this load, or with the Liberty's suitability in general as a tow vehicle for this size load, or both.

Having pulled a lot of different trailers with a lot of different tow vehicles, I have to agree with RFCRD's statement with regard to the Liberty vs Excursion as a tow vehicle. But that's precisely one of the things I like about the Liberty. I can go places with my KJ that an Excursion could only dream of.

[BVCRD]

Originally Posted by Beacon

The problem with that logic is that you have to assume that everyone has the same level of experience (or level of common sense) that you do and therefore thinks like you.

That's why I asked the OP if he'd ever pulled this particular trailer with anything else. I was gauging his experience level.

I'm still not sure whether MTandZ's question was prompted by his uncertainty with regard to the CRD engine's ability to pull this load, or with the Liberty's suitability in general as a tow vehicle for this size load, or both.

Having pulled a lot of different trailers with a lot of different tow vehicles, I have to agree with RFCRD's statement with regard to the Liberty vs Excursion as a tow vehicle. But that's precisely one of the things I like about the Liberty. I can go places with my KJ that an Excursion could only dream of.

I do hear you. Nothing beats bigger and better for a tow vehicle, but the CRD is kind of a trade off, best of both worlds kind of thing in the hands of a competent driver.

[RFCRD]

Originally Posted by BVCRD

I do hear you. Nothing beats bigger and better for a tow vehicle, but the CRD is kind of a trade off, best of both worlds kind of thing in the hands of a competent driver.

After a $110 fill-up you would wish you had the Liberty (I just looked-on in shock while the numbers flashed). I also wasn't running for time with the Excursion which was part of the problem with getting passed by the trucks at a high speed differential. Also didn't help that it controlled like a Ford truck, turn to the right and it goes to the left, Twin I-beam POS.