Towing Capacity with a 5 speed.

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MAFDaddy

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I just got a 2004 Liberty with the 3.7 V6 and a 5 speed manual transmission. I've read in most places that the Liberty has a 5000 lbs towing capacity. But, I've also seen it mentioned in a few places that that only applies to the automatic transmission. Can someone enlighten me on this? If the manual transmission's capacity is lower, why?

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grogiefrog

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I have my '04 KJ brochure. For the five-speed MT, V6, 3500 lbs.

Honestly, from what I have read from othes that two, I don't think I would try and tow more then that with my auto (ie. 5000).

Bennett has towed a good size box trailer, but I don't recall how much he thought it weighed?
 

MAFDaddy

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Thanks.

I had heard and read some of the same comments about towing the max with the liberty. It is a small vehicle. I would still like to know why the manual ****** is rated less than the auto. I would think the opposite would be true.

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grogiefrog

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I always thought that an MT should tow as much (or more) then an AT. For example if a guy is going to buy a big pickup as a tow vehicle, he picks an MT.

The brakes and engine are the same on a KJ, so it's got to be that the AT is just better at pulling a load. Is it that the MT's fifth-gear is too high and would cause the V6 to lug when towing? Don't know? Good question!
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MAFDaddy

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Could be. 5th gear is a nice overdrive. I know 1st is pretty low so getting started pulling a load shouldn't be an issue. Maybe it's the clutch. The weakest link? I thought I read that the ****** itself is beefy enough. Do the automatics and manuals use the same transfer case? I will probably never pull 5000 lbs. but it's nice to know that even if I'm pulling 3500 I'm not going to kill my Liberty. I'm thinking of a big pop-up or a small lightweight, less than 20 foot travel trailer. And a boat someday - with my wife's permission of course.

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grogiefrog

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Wife's permission... YOU TOO?! Geez... and who really runs the world huh?! rollinglaugh.gif

Looking at my '04 brochure, the trailer tow group comes with the AT, which includes "heavy duty engine cooling with auxiliary oil cooler". Does Jeep offer the tow group for MT? Maybe the engine cooler is required for the 5,000 lbs.? You might call your dealer and ask them if Jeep sells the tow group for an MT KJ?

My brother recently bought a 2,000 lb. Fleetwood pop-up (or 3,000 lb. loaded) for a 2001 V6 Explorer. He said it tows okay, but is a bit gutless on passes. He's started to use his work truck with a V8 and said it pulls so much better. But then he's in Colorado.

I have looked at a Jayco that's about 3500 lbs. loaded, for just weekend trips around the midwest. But, I have a TJ on order so that will have to wait (ie. the wife would say so!).
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incommando

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The 6spd stayed at 3,500#, and it has an even lower 1st gear than the 5spd did...curiouser and curiouser
 

JeepnJer

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Yep, the clutch is the weakest link. You have to let it slip more to get your load goin'. More wear and tear, shorter clutch life. The manual ****** is probably strong enough. I've heard autos are better for towing because they have what is called "torque multiplication", which is a result of the normal slippage in the auto's torque converter when you initially accelerate. Both trannys use the same transfer cases, but the driveshafts are different lengths.
 

Bennett

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grogiefrog said:
.

Bennett has towed a good size box trailer, but I don't recall how much he thought it weighed?

ah man that thing was LOADED.

trailer1.jpg

went muddin with it too, after it was emptied.. notice the mud all over it.

It doesn't look that big, but it's decieving...
I had it overloaded- from floor to ceiling an entire house worth of furniture fit in that trailer... even a piano. LOL. but boy there must have been at least 4000 lbs in it. It has a 5000lbs axle and the wheels were sunk into the wheel wells of the trailer.
 

MAFDaddy

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I heard about a different fan and shroud that goes with the towing package. I know mine does not have either. Like I said, I'll never tow anything that big with mine, but it's a heck of a lot better than my mini-van.
 

Bennett

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It actually handled really well on the highway. Didn't have any trouble getting up to 65, but it was just pouring gasoline out the exhaust just for the fun of it while pulling it. I think the liberty does a great job in pulling trailers, never once did the vehicle sway or buck from the heavy trailer. Also stopping was noticably longer, but the trailer doesn't have brakes-so this is expected.

Even when pulling a seadoo, you don't even know its behind you. Mileage doesn't seem to get effected either, with smaller trailers.

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MAFDaddy

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Thanks Bennett

It's good to know that the Liberty does do well towing. I've read people's opinions, (usually the people with F350s and stuff) saying that the Liberty has no business towing anything. Thanks for quelching their bias comments. I plan to tow whatever I get confidently.

MAFDaddy
 

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