Q: towing with a KJ?

Hi folks,

I'm looking to pick up a travel trailer to tow with the KJ.
I've got an 05 with the towing package.

The trailer I am looking at is a 24ft ultralight (2800 lbs)
looks like there should be no problem with the weight of the trailer - but want some feedback first.

Thoughts?
Thanks
Brian

You will be fine. I towed a car plus flat trailer (total weight of about 5k) for 980 miles, up quite a few long steep hills. My 06 has the tow package, and I was amazed at how easy the tow was. Keep it at 55-60 and keep the OD locked out.

Though your trailer weight isn't that high its still a good idea to invest in a brake controller. If you have the factory 7-pin wiring harness you'll have the wiring in place but will still need the controller tapped into the power supply. Read through the VERY detailed towing How-To for a step-by-step.

Pulling a trailer is generally not a challenge - STOPPING it is. Our Libby's can get a freight train moving but I guaran-damn-tee you it won't stop it. I tow a 1700 pound boat all summer and I can pull it up a cliff but there are times I wish it had electric brakes - nearly filled my drawers a couple of times last year in East Tennessee mountains oop:

Bob

A sway control kit is also helpful.

Sound advice on the brake controller (your trailer must have electric brakes!) and od lockout. I tow this rig in Colo. and Az. and sometimes have a headwind with 7mi.& 7%grades.

Yup, 2800lbs trailer weight + what you put in it will be no problem with 0/d locked out to keep your ****** happy. Stopping is harder but easy with brakes. Must have trailer brakes as others said. (my camper weighs 2900lbs unloaded with trailer brakes)

Have a boat/trailer weighing in at just under 4,500 with boat loaded. Trailer has surge brakes and no problems pulling or stoping.

I also have a utility trailer with no brakes and I can load a cord of split firewood on it and pull it just fine. Not sure how much it weighs at that point but it is harder to stop. I have to be real careful with it. It is harder to stop and I have 4 wheel disk brakes on the KJ.

Dave

I towed a 6'x10' trailer from FT Lewis WA to FT Carson CO(1500miles),when loaded the trailer weighed a little over 4200lbs and that trip is far from flat.No brakes on the trailer either,no tow package either but I do have a 28,000 GVWR AUX trans cooler.OD locked out and kept it at 60-65mph and got 18mpg's.Braking was good but I used the trans for most of that by downshifting,I had 4.10's in the diffs so it made it easier.

Pic of the day I left and fully loaded.

What is the maximum speed a Liberty can be driven, pulling a trailer with the OD locked out.

first&lastKJ said:

What is the maximum speed a Liberty can be driven, pulling a trailer with the OD locked out.

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Up to 5500rpm's if you want,or about 90-95mph give or take.

first&lastKJ said:

What is the maximum speed a Liberty can be driven, pulling a trailer with the OD locked out.

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I personally haul a$$ when pulling the boat but Mpg's goes way down i live in the hill country and i only use the OD lockout when driving Hilly terrain other than that i use overdrive alot and I've actually hit 110 passing a semi but i would stay below 90 until you know the road your traveling and the trailer your pulling. Also with OD locked out id stay on below 85 your rpm's will be at atleast 4k dpeanding on your gears, Your kj won't like you for long. Mine is just about toast and thinking about trading her in.

ck2012 said:

I personally haul a$$ when pulling the boat but Mpg's goes way down i live in the hill country and i only use the OD lockout when driving Hilly terrain other than that i use overdrive alot and I've actually hit 110 passing a semi but i would stay below 90 until you know the road your traveling and the trailer your pulling. Also with OD locked out id stay on below 85 your rpm's will be at atleast 4k dpeanding on your gears, Your kj won't like you for long. Mine is just about toast and thinking about trading her in.

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Well no wonder as you have the 42RLE trans and is very weak.It can not handle any towed load in OD for very long,even on flat ground.


But then again your like most,beat a vehicle to death,don't maintain it,then trade it in at the 1st sign of any major issue and pass the problem to the next buyer.Then they come on places like this and complain.

I guess I should have asked "what speed can I SAFELY drive my liberty, pulling a trailer with the OD locked out?
Also do I need to have the OD locked out pulling less than 2000 lbs.?
I have made three trips to Fla. from In. in our 07 pulling a trailer with a motorcycle (about 1600 lbs. total). On the interstate I run about 70 mph with the OD locked out it runs about 3000 rpms. I just wondered how bad that is on the engine and transmission.
I did buy our 07 for this purpose.

first&lastKJ said:

I guess I should have asked "what speed can I SAFELY drive my liberty, pulling a trailer with the OD locked out?
Also do I need to have the OD locked out pulling less than 2000 lbs.?
I have made three trips to Fla. from In. in our 07 pulling a trailer with a motorcycle (about 1600 lbs. total). On the interstate I run about 70 mph with the OD locked out it runs about 3000 rpms. I just wondered how bad that is on the engine and transmission.
I did buy our 07 for this purpose.

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60-70mph is okay and will do no damage and yes keep the OD locked out.

Heck I run 3000rpm's just to do 70mph in OD:smokin:

tjkj2002 said:

60-70mph is okay and will do no damage and yes keep the OD locked out.

Heck I run 3000rpm's just to do 70mph in OD:smokin:

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Thanks!