How Do I Know If My Jeep Liberty Has A Tow Package?

One of these days, you might need to tow a camper or anything of that nature. Having your Jeep Liberty equipped for the task would be truly satisfying.

But does the Jeep Liberty have towing capacity? And how can you identify a tow package if it has one?

Let’s take a look at this SUV’s towing capabilities.

Your Jeep Liberty has a towing package if it has a hitch, cabling harness, and heavy-duty cooling setup. As long as it has original equipment hitch mounted, it means it has a tow package. The setup for the cooling system features a fan installed on the centrifugal pump. 

What Is A Jeep Liberty Tow Package?

The Jeep Liberty tow package is the comprehensive set of equipment or car components that makes towing possible. Some Jeep Liberty models come with a factory tow package.

It means the cars will have the engine, transmission, cooling system, frame, and suspension required for towing.

These components will permit towing activities with exemplary performances from the vehicle for years.

The vehicle has a design with heavyweight towing in mind, and every component is capable of the task.

Models that don’t have tow packages can go for aftermarket tow packages that modify the vehicle. 

If you are looking forward to heavyweight towing, you need a comprehensive aftermarket kit. The kit you need here should have weight-sharing equipment and large receivers.

As stated earlier, a tow package is the sum of all components that make towing possible.

Here are the towing capacities of different models of the Jeep Liberty without weight sharing hitch;

• The 2012 – 2010 models with a 3.7L engine and automatic transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs. 
• The 2009 models with a 3.7L engine and automatic transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs.
• The 2009 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and cooler have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
• The 2008 models with a 3.7L engine and manual transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
• The 2008 models with a 3.7L engine and automatic transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs.
• The 2008 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and cooler have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
• The 2007 models with a 3.7L engine and manual transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
• The 2007 models with a 3.7L engine and automatic transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs.
• The 2006 models with a 3.7L engine and manual transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
• The 2006 models with a 3.7L engine and automatic transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs.

Here are the towing capacities of different models of the Jeep Liberty using weight sharing hitch;

• The 2012 – 2010 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and tow package have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs. 
• The 2009 and 2008 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and cooler have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs. 
• The 2007 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and cooler have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs.
• The 2006 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and cooler have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs.
• The 2006 models with a 2.8L diesel engine and automatic transmission have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs.
• The 2005 and 2004 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, and tow package have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs.
• The 2005 and 2004 models with 2.4L engine, manual transmission, and tow package have a maximum towing capacity of 2000 lbs.
• The 2005 and 2004 models with a 3.7L engine, manual transmission, and tow package have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lbs.
• The 2005 and 2004 models with a 3.7L engine, automatic transmission, tow package, and cooler have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs.

From the above lists, we can arrive at one conclusion. You can see that the vehicles with the maximum towing capacities have towing packages or use weight sharing hitch.

Additionally, you can flat tow a Jeep Liberty if you have the right flat tow equipment. All you need is a base plate for fixing onto the vehicle and an attachment plug.

The plug is where the tow bar attaches. You also need an auxiliary braking system, safety harness, and lighting equipment. 

How Do I Know If My Vehicle Has A Tow Package?

You can contact the dealer or manufacturer to confirm that your vehicle has a tow package. An easier method is checking if there’s a hitch mounted behind the car.

Also, you can consult the brochures of your vehicle and browse through the components. You can also take the VIN of the vehicle and get the brand dealer to confirm the components available.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have a complete factory tow package. However, some factory tow packages may not include trailer cabling connectors and frame installed hitch receiver.

In addition, few might feature upgrades to heavyweight towing for the vehicle.

A wide-ranging heavyweight tow package will feature a supplementary transmission cooler and heavyweight hind springs or shocks.

Other features include brake enhancements like more powerful brakes or drums. On rare occasions, the dealership provides an additional spare tire. 

What Does Jeep Tow Package Include? 

Factory-mounted Jeep tow packages include a receiver hitch, electrical cables, and trailer towing harness.

Jeep vehicles have varied tow packages, but these are the basic components of tow packages.

However, as earlier established tow packages are more than those items.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a 7 and 4 pin wiring harness, standard extra tire, and heavyweight engine cooling.

Other components include a Class 4 hitch platform and tail load-leveling suspension. The combination of these elevates the vehicle’s towing capacity.

The Jeep Wrangler features a heavyweight front and hind tow hooks. Others include a cabling harness, programmable aux controls, a tow hitch platform, and a four-wheel-drive system.

The blend of these features gives it a superior towing capacity.

The Jeep Compass tow package contains a four-pin cabling harness and a Class III tow hitch platform. It also features a hind backup camera with drive modes that cut across all terrain.

The Compass can also control braking and adjust throttle when traversing slope terrain. 

Difference Between A Towing Package And A Trailering Package?

A towing package provides the platform for towing anything with the vehicle. On the other hand, a trailering package is made precisely for towing trailers.

In addition, a towing package provides a hitch option, a trailer cabling bundle, and other vehicle upgrades.

The upgrade features are mostly based on the manufacturers, but most times, it includes the following;

• Improved engine.
• Upgraded cooling and electrical setup.
• Rear-end equipment.
• A tougher frame
• Enhanced brakes and shocks.

New vehicles can have most of these items in their tow package. These add-ons aim to enable heavyweight towing and commercial purposes.

A trailer package’s sole purpose is to tow a trailer. They are small, featuring hardware like a cabling package for rear lights and trailer hitch.

The trailer package can’t use other things like boats, heavyweight loads, and other vehicles.

Furthermore, trailer packages also do not come equipped with vehicle upgrades. It is presumed that the trailer won’t be in regular use and just be for recreational purposes.

Can You Tow Without A Towing Package?

If your vehicle doesn’t have a tow package, it’s still possible to use it for towing. What you need is a tow hitch.

It connects to the car’s chassis to provide the toughest point to attach a camper or trailer. With regular tools, you can screw the hitch onto the rear of the vehicle in under an hour.

The key here is finding a good hitch; don’t be attracted to the aesthetically pleasing ones. Consider the class grading together with the receiver hole.

Hitches in Class I grading rank at 2,000 pounds overall trailer weight. Trailers exert a force of 200 pounds on this grade of hitch; this is the tongue weight.

This hitch also features a 1-1/4″ rectangular receiver hole. That means it receives ball mounts and also motorcycle racks.

There are also Class II and Class III hitches rated at medium-duty and heavy-duty. You should get a hitch based on how much weight you’ll be towing.

If you tow regularly, you can also get towing mirrors. They are great for viewing behind the trailer. Rear visibility is usually an issue during towing; these mirrors will be a good addition.

Another good addition is the transmission coolers. With the extra weight, your drive train components can get overheated.

Transmission coolers can help reduce the temperature and keep your parts in good condition.

Things to Know When Towing With Your Jeep

Conclusion

Many vehicles have a tow package if they feature a hitch, cabling, and heavy-duty cooling setup. You can contact the dealer or manufacturer to confirm if your vehicle has a tow package.

A tow package serves to enable every towing activity. A trailering package serves the sole purpose of towing trailers.

Moreover, manufacturers should include tow packages in all vehicles.