Tv Setup

[JIMMYS]

I'm new to pup upping and looking for a little help. This site is awsome and gives out a lot of info so here goes:  I just purchased a 95 coleman Utah for origional owners, which is in good shape and we think will work for us  - my wife, our 9 1/2 month old son and I. We own a Jeep Liberity 4x4 rated for 5000 lbs that will be used as the TV. We have several CG within 20 miles that the short wheel base does'nt concern me as much as the  up comming longer trips from Orlando FL to the Keys, then Orlando to Mi. The camper has  eletric brakes which were never used - I am is the process of making them operable, so my questions, other than proper loading of the camper & TV, trailer brakes, what other sugestions/recomendations should I consider with a short wheel base TV as the Liberity.

Thanks for any info.

Jim

[brainpause]

Although the Liberty has a decent tow rating, it is a pretty short wheel base for a tow vehicle. You alluded to proper loading...make sure your tongue weight is 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight, or you will have a problem with swaying. You can easily get the trailer weighed at a truck stop.

Not sure how heavy the '95 Utahs are, but you might consider weight distribution hitch and sway bar. Would save some wear and tear on your TV.

I'm sure others will jump in with other suggestions as well. Welcome to PUT!

Larry

[mikewilley]

Jim,

We pull a Coleman Santa Fe with our Liberty 4X2 (a little lighter than the Utah).  We use the Reese friction anti-sway and lock it down pretty tight when we are on the road.  In hind site, I wish I had spent the extra money to get one of the anti-sway systems that is based on locking arms rather than friction.  Although the friction works fine, it moans and groans around tight corners when it is set tight enough to control sway at high speed.

I found we get much better gas mileage if I pay attention to the overdrive button.  I turn overdrive off when going up hill or when we have a strong head wind or cross wind and leave it on when going down hill or on level grade.

You will love the short wheel base for backing, it makes things much easier than a bigger vehicle.

Another clue, avoid filling the water tank.  Even though it adds tongue weight due to the location, the rig will sway more when you get past about 50 MPH even if it is completely full so there is no sloshing.  If you are dry camping fill up with water just before you get to camp and drain when you break camp or as soon as possible after leaving.

I'm new to pup upping and looking for a little help. This site is awesome and gives out a lot of info so here goes:  I just purchased a 95 Coleman Utah for original owners, which is in good shape and we think will work for us  - my wife, our 9 1/2 month old son and I. We own a Jeep Liberty 4x4 rated for 5000 lbs that will be used as the TV. We have several CG within 20 miles that the short wheel base doesn't concern me as much as the  up coming longer trips from Orlando FL to the Keys, then Orlando to Mi. The camper has  electric brakes which were never used - I am is the process of making them operable, so my questions, other than proper loading of the camper & TV, trailer brakes, what other suggestions/recommendations should I consider with a short wheel base TV as the Liberty.

Thanks for any info.

Jim

[brainpause]

Jim,

We pull a Coleman Santa Fe with our Liberty 4X2 (a little lighter than the Utah).  We use the Reese friction anti-sway and lock it down pretty tight when we are on the road.  In hind site, I wish I had spent the extra money to get one of the anti-sway systems that is based on locking arms rather than friction.  Although the friction works fine, it moans and groans around tight corners when it is set tight enough to control sway at high speed.

I found we get much better gas mileage if I pay attention to the overdrive button.  I turn overdrive off when going up hill or when we have a strong head wind or cross wind and leave it on when going down hill or on level grade.

You will love the short wheel base for backing, it makes things much easier than a bigger vehicle.

Another clue, avoid filling the water tank.  Even though it adds tongue weight due to the location, the rig will sway more when you get past about 50 MPH even if it is completely full so there is no sloshing.  If you are dry camping fill up with water just before you get to camp and drain when you break camp or as soon as possible after leaving.

So, do you drive Willey's Jeep?

[JIMMYS]

Thank you for the information, I'm looking into several differant set ups.

Jim

[SEQUOIA-5]

I am not sure of the weight of your trailer or the wb of the liberty, I do pull a coleman sequoia with my TJ which I am sure has a much shorter wb. The key as with all towing is proper weight distribution that you have already talked about.
 I know alot of people dont approve of towing with such a swb but I have towed all over the rockies this year  the farthest trip was to Utah and was about 1100 miles round trip. I dont have any sway device and I have had no sway issues at all. I do stay mainly on hwy's and off of the Interstates and my jeep is highly modified(1/2 ton axels, hd suspension. 1/2 brakes, 4:88 gears,bla,bla) my trailer has no brakes but it only has a gvw of 1900# I have had to make an emergency stop/swerve to avoid a Bighorn ram in the middle of Hwy-14 and the Jeep handled it great!

 I think you will be fine with a sway control/WD system, just be resonable and always respect what your driving, it's a Jeep and all jeeps have off -road ability as a high priority in thier design and as such are always somewhat handicaped in other areas.

  Good luck, and get that jeep into the backcountry!  Jim