Trailer length question

[wavery]

hey,
what kind of popup you getting??
because i have the weight distrubition hitch id give it to ya for 130.00
plus shipping, it weighs 35lbs so im not sure how much it will cost..
ill go check it out tomarrow to see how much they want...

Dean

Cheapest way would be FedEx Ground. I ship a lot of eBay suff.

You'll need the pkg dimensions and zip codes.

http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home?cc=US&language=en

Just as a guess. I'd say cross country $30.

[zamboni]

I definately don't want to get something that is too much trailer.  I'll be towing with this Jeep for a while, but if it turns out to be not as comfortable as I like,

A few things:

1) My parents bought a 2002 Coleman Niagara (about the heaviest popup you can get) and happily towed it with their Grand Caravan AWD- including from Texas to Colorado.

2) My brother towed their Niagara from Colorado to California with his Jeep Grand Cherokee.  He felt it was smooth (the fool averaged about 70+ mph)

3) In California, he swapped the Niagara for my lightweight 1996 Starcraft - a small 10-foot box, much lighter with no slideout.

4) On his return trip to Colorado, he dearly missed the Niagara (with sway bar).  The lightweight Starcraft was "all over the place".  The sway bar made a HUGE difference.

5) My parents are now towing a heavier TrailManor ("hi-low" type hardside popup) with their Grand Caravan - to & from Colorado.

They've not had any concern towing either camper with their "3500-lb" limit Grand Caravan... even with the minivan FULLY LOADED.

[tlhdoc]

They've not had any concern towing either camper with their "3500-lb" limit Grand Caravan... even with the minivan FULLY LOADED.

Just because they haven't had any concern doesn't mean it is good to do.  There are reasons they have the limits.  I have towed with a Grand Caravan and a Windstar minivan and know that towing with my current TV is much better.  I didn't know it when I was towing with the minivans.  I thought they did a fine job, at the time.

[Gone-Camping]

When I set out to buy my Hybrid, I recieved pretty much the same advice as you're getting now....that the Grand Cherokee had too short a wheel base, and that I shouldn't try to tow anything over 19' with it. DON'T DO IT is what everyone told me!
:yikes:
 
I took it all with a grain of salt, my owners manual had the same limits as your Liberty, so I went out and bought they 23' Hybrid just as I had planned. As you can guess, three years later I'm still towing that 23' trailer with the same Grand Cherokee....no issues at all. Matter of fact, the dual axle and longer length of the Hybrid makes it a sweet towing trailer. I did have some sway issues with the Coleman (and I had that thing plenty front heavy) at speeds in excess of 65 mph, I just slowed down then.
 
What your going to find disappointing with the Jeep will be pulling power...if you buy a hybrid or TT that is. Thats a lot of front wall you'll be dragging around behind you, a lot of drag & resistance...the Jeep will struggle, especially on steep hills & mountains.
 
Now, if you were planning to buy a PU...then I'd say go for it, there isn't one single PU made out there that your Jeep can't handle, even the old 14' double axle Jayco's!!:D
 
One other note...I was at a Jeep dealer looking around a couple weeks ago, and when I got up close to the Liberty, I decided it wasn't all that small afterall, it just looks small...but up close I saw it was nearly as big as my JGC...
 
On Edit...
Vehicle     Liberty     JGC
Wheelbase   104.2   109.5
Track           60        62
width           71.8      84.2

[fritz_monroe]

We are getting a pop up.  We looked at the hybrids, but decided that with our storage, and the floor plans we liked, we'd need a hybrid that was a bit longer than I prefered.  I'm not set on any specific pop up yet, but we are going to the RV show this weekend to try them all out.  We've been looking at the ones that tend to be in the 3000# GVWR and about 2100# dry weight.  I figure these would give us a decent amount of space and good cargo capacity.

In doing all my research, I found that all models of the Jeep Liberty now come with all parts of the tow package except the hitch, wiring and heavy duty fan.  They just don't advertise this.  I guess it helps they sell the tow package.

For size, your GC is about 5 inches longer wheelbase and a little over an inch larger in width.  One thing I really like about the Liberty is the turn radius.  Turns on a dime.

[zamboni]

Just because they haven't had any concern doesn't mean it is good to do.  There are reasons they have the limits

This is true; I'm sure towing with a Suburban would be far more relaxing than a minivan.  However, Fritz's question is one that is within his vehicle's limits.

A huge portion of "comfort" is the ability of the driver.  My mother is not comfortable towing a shopping cart.  My father, on the other hand, grew up moving land oil rigs around, towing them with a PICKUP TRUCK.  He's used my V8 Explorer to tow their campers, and says it is "about the same".  They now tow a heavier TrailManor.  Since he started driving at 13 (he used to drive the school bus in the north/western slopes of Colorado), he has never had an accident.  I trust his driving more than mine.

My point is merely this - some people are comfortable with a different tow/trailer ratio than others.  Add to that, a choice of (a) Camper, or (b) No Camper (since at TV upgrade is not an option), that is a personal choice.

I've known people with heavy TV's and lightweight campers get into "stupid" accidents -- just like, in the 80's in Colorado winters, I saw more 4WD's stuck in snowbanks than "regular" cars... the most important aspect is learning how to drive (or tow) within your ability.


I am saddened; I've seen many threads where people ask "Can I tow XXX with my YYY"... where it may not be ideal, but the answer is "yes" -- yet some members insist they are crazy/stupid/etc, and why don't they upgrade their tow vehicle?  That wasn't the question...

In this case, to answer Fritz's question:  Yes, you can legally and safely tow what you want to.  The only caveat is to understand, and realize, that perhaps you will have to drive a bit slower and a bit more cautiously (anticipating curves/braking, winds) than you would if you had a heavier tow vehicle.  This should not necessarily stop you from buying your camper - just encourage you to learn the limitations of your "combination".  Though not an ideal combination, it is not automatically a dangerous combination - for a good & cautious driver, it may not be an issue at all.  If you are the sort who gets nervous passing an 18-wheeler if you are in a Yugo, then pushing your tow limit may not be wise

[wavery]

This is true; I'm sure towing with a Suburban would be far more relaxing than a minivan.  However, Fritz's question is one that is within his vehicle's limits.

A huge portion of "comfort" is the ability of the driver.  My mother is not comfortable towing a shopping cart.  My father, on the other hand, grew up moving land oil rigs around, towing them with a PICKUP TRUCK.  He's used my V8 Explorer to tow their campers, and says it is "about the same".  They now tow a heavier TrailManor.  Since he started driving at 13 (he used to drive the school bus in the north/western slopes of Colorado), he has never had an accident.  I trust his driving more than mine.

My point is merely this - some people are comfortable with a different tow/trailer ratio than others.  Add to that, a choice of (a) Camper, or (b) No Camper (since at TV upgrade is not an option), that is a personal choice.

I've known people with heavy TV's and lightweight campers get into "stupid" accidents -- just like, in the 80's in Colorado winters, I saw more 4WD's stuck in snowbanks than "regular" cars... the most important aspect is learning how to drive (or tow) within your ability.


I am saddened; I've seen many threads where people ask "Can I tow XXX with my YYY"... where it may not be ideal, but the answer is "yes" -- yet some members insist they are crazy/stupid/etc, and why don't they upgrade their tow vehicle?  That wasn't the question...

In this case, to answer Fritz's question:  Yes, you can legally and safely tow what you want to.  The only caveat is to understand, and realize, that perhaps you will have to drive a bit slower and a bit more cautiously (anticipating curves/braking, winds) than you would if you had a heavier tow vehicle.  This should not necessarily stop you from buying your camper - just encourage you to learn the limitations of your "combination".  Though not an ideal combination, it is not automatically a dangerous combination - for a good & cautious driver, it may not be an issue at all.  If you are the sort who gets nervous passing an 18-wheeler if you are in a Yugo, then pushing your tow limit may not be wise

Well put

[wynot]

If it was me (and I have found myself in your situation) this is what I would do. First find a jeep liberty forum on the net. Don't ask here - they can only speak in generalities. Talk to other owners on a liberty forum and see what they have done.

Which was exactly the advice I gave in the first response to Fritz's post...
 

Even if I had an owner's manual which said a Liberty could tow 5,000 lbs, I think I would find someone else towing with one first and see what they think.

...despite my personal opinions, which also mentioned that I didn't have a Liberty and was speculating.
 
The general original question was what should Fritz should get (trailer-wise) and gave his tow vehicle. I'm not taking it as argumentative, Fritz, but you did ask what people thought - and there are a lot of folks on here that have towed with a lot of different tow vehicles, so you'll get what people have experienced or noted from friends and family as well.

[fritz_monroe]

However, I didn't ask what I should get trailer wise, I asked:

So, what's the longest trailer I should be looking at for this vehicle?

The discussion moved away from that question into what appeared to be a discussion about the Jeep Liberty being a poor tow vehicle.  But I took the advice that the folks here gave and spoke with some people that do tow with a Jeep Liberty.

[Kavoom]

>>3000# GVWR and about 2100# dry weight.<<  Was that you?  

Based upon this set of "expectations" and saying you wanted a pop up, you can do anything pretty much you want based upon the tow capability.  Length would only apply if you were looking at big TV's.  Here is about the biggest pop up there is with a slide out and you could do it based upon the specs listed.  It is 19' 3" closed and 3100 lbs dry weight and as you can see the GVWR is 3,770 lbs.  Don't worry about it...  But don't get those Niagara owners started either...  They go on and on...

http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/brandtomodel/floorplan.aspx?brand=highlander&m=Niagara

Box Size (Inside Length) 14' 0"
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs.) 3,770
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) (lbs.)1 3,055
Unloaded Tongue Weight (UTW) (lbs.) 285
Maximum Carrying Capacity (MCC) (lbs.)2 715
Cabinet Storage (cu. ft.) 59
Total Storage Capacity (cu. ft.) 59
Tire Size ST205/75D14
Length (Open) 26' 10"
Width (Open) 10' 6"
Length (Closed) 19' 3"
Width (Closed) 7' 5"
Height (Closed) 64"

Kavoom
04 Subaru Forester (2,400 lb tow rating pure)
06 Flagstaff 176 (1350 dry, 2200 GVWR)
180 tongue weight
Avg weight towing 1800 to 1900 lbs...
Elec Brakes
No problem

[tlhdoc]

However, Fritz's question is one that is within his vehicle's limits.
 
He's used my V8 Explorer to tow their campers, and says it is "about the same". They now tow a heavier TrailManor. .
 
In this case, to answer Fritz's question: Yes, you can legally and safely tow what you want to. The only caveat is to understand, and realize, that perhaps you will have to drive a bit slower and a bit more cautiously (anticipating curves/braking, winds) than you would if you had a heavier tow vehicle. This should not necessarily stop you from buying your camper - just encourage you to learn the limitations of your "combination". Though not an ideal combination, it is not automatically a dangerous combination - for a good & cautious driver, it may not be an issue at all. If you are the sort who gets nervous passing an 18-wheeler if you are in a Yugo, then pushing your tow limit may not be wise

If you look back through the post, I never suggested he couldn't tow any PU that he wished.  The only thing I saw that made me feel uncomfortable is your parents towing a roughly 3500 pound trailer or heavier with a loaded TV that is rated to tow 3500 pounds.  That rig is over weight.  I found a HUGE difference towing with my Explorer, compared to the Grand Caravan (used to tow for 3 years)and the Windstar (used to tow for 3 years) that I used to tow with.  I tow the PU over 5000 miles each year.

[Steve-o-bud]

Fritz, since you plan to get the proper WDH and sway bar, towing with the Liberty will work. One advantage you'll find is that with the short wheelbase Liberty, you'll be able to manuver your trailer into many spots much easier than with a long wheelbase Suburban. You'll still feel the trailer pushing you around a bit, but as long as you "stay up on the wheel", you should be AOK.
 
I previously towed with Acura SLX/aka Isuzu Trooper. As long as I loaded my trailer properly, and didn't have water in the tank, it handled pretty good. However, due to low power/torque (195 HP/165 lb-ft) it was a dog heading up hills. I "upgraded" to a '89 Suburban 3/4 ton, 7.4L V8, Heavy Duty everything. I feel far more secure towing with this, however the tradeoffs in overall reliability that I've experienced with this 17 year old 130K miles truck isn't worth it (overheating, transmission leaks, two fried starters, etc.). I'm downsizing to a '98 Explorer (28k miles and very clean) with the 5.0L V-8.

[XJJoe01]

Hello all,
 
 I know this thread is sorta old, but I just signed up again to post a reply.
 
 I think the length of the pop up will not make a difference.  That being said, the way you load up your trailer will.  You need to make sure you have about 15% of the weight of the trailer (when loaded) is on the tongue and when hitched, the trailer is level or slightly down (about a inch) along with the TV is level.  If you don't have a transmission cooler, install one.  Max out the air pressure on the trailer and the TV.  If not, you could have problems.
 
 I used to own a 2001 Jeep cherokee (sport model, not the grand cherokee) and towed our pup up from Texas, the dakotas, and back home near Washington, DC with no sway.  I felt we were safe, but I had to learn to drive this combo since the Jeep was about the same length of the popup.  The picture shows the Jeep and popup almost ready for towing.
 
 The biggest problem I had was tongue weight.  I towed with a WDH and installed air bags to level the Jeep.  
 
 I had enough power to go up the mountains and brakes to stop for those fools who pull out in front of you.
 
 HTHs,
 
 Joe
 
 Old TV: 2001 Jeep cherokee
 New TV: 2002 Dodge 2500 diesel truck
 Pop-UP: 2001 Jayco 12FSO (like the Niagra)