2008 JEEP LIBERTY Owners Manual

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission ModelGCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal AreaMax. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
3.7L/6-Speed Manual 4x2 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg) 40 Sq. Ft. (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/6-Speed Manual 4x4 8,750 lbs (3 969 kg) 40 Sq. Ft. (3.72
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 587 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/Automatic 4x2 7,150 lbs (3 243 kg) 32 Sq. Ft. (2.97
square meters)2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.7L/Automatic 4x4 7,400 lbs ( 3 356 kg) 32 Sq. Ft. (2.97
square meters)2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.7L/Automatic w/
Cooler4x2 9,850 lbs (4 468 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/Automatic
w/Cooler4x4 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and it
should never exceed the weight referenced on the ªTire and Loading Informationº placard. Refer to ªTire±Safety
Informationº in this section.
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When Towing Trailers with Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) between 3,500 Lbs (1 588 kg) and 5,000 Lbs (2 268 kg)
The following chart provides maximum trailer weight ratings towable for the following engine/transmission
combinations,ONLYif using a weight distributing hitch.
Engine/
TransmissionModel GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
3.7L/
Automatic w/
Cooler4x2 9,850 lbs (4 468 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
3.7L/
Automatic
w/Cooler4x4 10,100 lbs (4 581 kg) 64 Sq. Ft. (5.94
square meters)5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and it
should never exceed the weight referenced on the ªTire and Loading Informationº placard. Refer to ªTire±Safety
Informationº in this section.
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Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
²The weight of the driver and all passengers.
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NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the ªTire and Loading Informationº
placard for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components the following guidelines are recommended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that is will not shift during travel. When traile-
ring cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load
shifts can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
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²When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause
a loss of control, poor performance, or damage to
brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspen-
sion, chassis structure, or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
ªPº (Park). With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into ªRº (Reverse). Always, block or
9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
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þProper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
ªTires±General Informationº in this section for infor-
mation on tire pressures and for proper tire inflation
procedures.
þAlso, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
þCheck for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to ªTires±General Infor-
mationº in this section for information on tread wear
indicators and for the proper inspection procedure.
þWhen replacing tires, refer to ªTires±General Informa-
tionº in this section for information on replacement
tires and for the proper tire replacement procedures.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying capacity
will not increase the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
þ
Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
þAn electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
þTrailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
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CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
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The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
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