Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

[ricohman]

Re: Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

Tow rating is just that.. The amount of everything you have attached to your bumper or tow hitch. It doesn't (or shouldn't) take into account what is in the car/truck/whatever, as that is not being towed. If he had 3k attached to his hitch, he should be fine. Otherwise, the nomenclature needs to be adjusted.

You bet max tow ratings take into account of everything and everyone in the vehicle.
As soon as you exceed the GVWR your over. I can't tow 15k and have 4k in the bed.

 

[slag]

Re: Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

You bet max tow ratings take into account of everything and everyone in the vehicle.
As soon as you exceed the GVWR your over. I can't tow 15k and have 4k in the bed.

Shouldn't though since you aren't towing the people in the vehicle. Tow ratings should be based on what is attached to the hitch which is what my point was.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

You bet max tow ratings take into account of everything and everyone in the vehicle.
As soon as you exceed the GVWR your over. I can't tow 15k and have 4k in the bed.

You're probably thinking of GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating), which is the maximimum weight of vehicle, occupants, cargo and whatever is being towed.

A quick check of the Liberty (I think it was the '05 model that popped up in my search) is:

Maximum trailer weight: 3500
Vehicle's curb weight: 3846
Payload: 1150
GCWR: 8500

According to the ratings, if you tow the max load and have the max payload you're still under the GCWR by 4 lbs (assuming the curb weight is correct).....but....

Honestly, I can't imagine trying to move 8500 lbs down the road with that vehicle. Is it rated for it? Yea...that's what the numbers say. That's bound to be a white knuckle ride though. I wouldn't want to do it for anything but short distances on flat ground at low speeds.....but that's just me.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

He would have to include the pin or tongue weight in the GVWR.
You are right about the GCWR. And loading a light car like that within 4 lbs of its gross? I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

Best Option Toyota 4Runner, If possible Limited 4x4. Forget about Ford and Jeep Liberty. If likes Jeep looks for a Grand Cherokee.

 

[kjsAZ]

Re: Towing with a Jeep liberty or Ford Escape?

You are on the borderline with your trans. With 3000lbs in tow and adding the weight of all the passengers and stuff in your car you may even be over.
I towed an Equinox that was hitched to tent trailer through a muddy road to the campground last year. That guy swore he was buying a half ton as soon as he got back.
Your experience may vary........

well, I don't go off-roading with the boat in tow nor with the vehicle alone. Nice paved but windy roads 10 miles to the lake......