Trailering my Charger

[AirborneSilva]

I hope those of you who trailer your charger, or any other car, can answer this question for me.  The wife FINALLY got the call for her job at the pentagon so we are off to the east coast, soon.  I want to buy a car trailer to pull the charger out there but the only thing we have to pull it is the wife's Jeep Liberty, do you think that it will pull the car trailer w/charger ok?

Thanks,
Tony

[69charger2002]

yes a liberty will pull a charger with a trailer. make sure you give plenty of stopping distance while travelling. braking with all that weight is the biggest issue.. i had an older ford explorer back in the late 90's i towed chargers with. it did fine, but it isn't the BEST vehicle for towing. but your liberty should be fine for a one time run.. i wouldn't go loading the cabin down also. you will be packing major weight then. you're probably already gonna be pushing 5000 lbs with a trailer, maybe less if you have no motor/tranny in it
trav

[NHCharger]

I would check with the dealership about tow capacity for that Liberty. Also, when you buy a trailer don't skimp. Make sure the trailer has brakes on all four wheels, not just two.

[AirborneSilva]

Thanks guys, the tow capacity for the Liberty is 5000 lbs.  The charger will have the 383 that good ole HLPAG just threw in the engine bay but I will have the packers take teh tranny (the wife gets a moving allowance from the pentagon), as well as all the other parts that I've removed from the Charger, so it will be pretty empty, no glass, no interior (except steering wheel), no tranny and some missing sheet metal here and there.

[y3chargerrt]

Welcome to the area. Your moving into Va I assume.I'm 20 miles north of Dc in Md. Ron

[firefighter3931]

A stripped charger should be fine if the towing capacity is 5k. If the jeep doesn't have a tow package i would strongly suggest you invest in a transmission cooler for the tow vehicle. Brakes on the trailer are a good idea as well....at least on one axle, preferably both. 


Ron

[AKcharger]

could do a partial "do it yourself move" and rent a u-haul to pull it

[Todd Wilson]

could do a partial "do it yourself move" and rent a u-haul to pull it

Thats the best advice so far. 

Towing a charger is more then a Liberty can safely do. You will be putting your life and others on the line if you tow with it. You will be over the 5000lb tow rating easily with charger and weight of trailer. The liberty is a short vehicle and it will not be able to control the trailer safely.


Todd

[69charger2002]

 

[bull]

This is weird. I asked everyone here a while back if I should trailer my '68 behind a 4.7 Durango and 90% of responses were "no."  I can't see a Liberty being more adept at towing than a Durango.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,21738.0.html

But then here most people say it would be fine: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,14163.0.html

Opinions are like those things everyone has I guess.

[AirborneSilva]

Welcome to the area. Your moving into Va I assume.I'm 20 miles north of Dc in Md. Ron

I'll be in the N. Virginia area at the end of Aug., I hear there is a MOPAR club in N. Virginia so I might hook up with them...

[AirborneSilva]

could do a partial "do it yourself move" and rent a u-haul to pull it

Thats the best advice so far. 

Towing a charger is more then a Liberty can safely do. You will be putting your life and others on the line if you tow with it. You will be over the 5000lb tow rating easily with charger and weight of trailer. The liberty is a short vehicle and it will not be able to control the trailer safely.


Todd

Unfortunately we will be driving two vehicles back, my Rubi and the wifes Liberty, one of them needs to pull the trailerd Charger and I know for sure my Rubi can't do it.  My only other choice is to have the Charger moved back by a regular mover but I'd rather do it myself and get a trailer in the process 

[terrible one]

Is the 383 bolted down? If it would be easy to pull out why not let the other people get it along with the tranny? That's some weight right there.

I know there's some difference, but we towed my Charger, with no engine or transmission, but tons of parts in it, along with parts in the back and 400 pounds worth of people in our '99 Denali and did fine. The only thing was not having  enough weight on the tongue with no engine or tranny, so at higher speeds the trailor wanted to wander. . .

[AirborneSilva]

Is the 383 bolted down? If it would be easy to pull out why not let the other people get it along with the tranny? That's some weight right there.

I had thought about that but we do have a weight limit with the moving company and I'm not too sure if I'm even going to be able to get them to take the tranny being's it's not a "household" item so we will see...

[69DodgeCharger]

could do a partial "do it yourself move" and rent a u-haul to pull it

Thats the best advice so far. 

Towing a charger is more then a Liberty can safely do. You will be putting your life and others on the line if you tow with it. You will be over the 5000lb tow rating easily with charger and weight of trailer. The liberty is a short vehicle and it will not be able to control the trailer safely.


I wouldn't want to try it. 50-100 miles is one thing. With a trip that short you could take a backroad, or go slow and easy. Going 2,000 or so miles is a whole different ballgame. If you have no choice I would ditch that engine, sell it for whatever you can get out of it. That will save you 400-600 pounds depending on what all is there. Maybe take the center section out of the rearend. That's another 70-80 lbs. I would remove anything I could from the car and send it with the movers. It's a lot easier to find a new engine than to take a big chance. Just an opinion for whatever it is worth?


Todd

Unfortunately we will be driving two vehicles back, my Rubi and the wifes Liberty, one of them needs to pull the trailerd Charger and I know for sure my Rubi can't do it.  My only other choice is to have the Charger moved back by a regular mover but I'd rather do it myself and get a trailer in the process 

[terrible one]

Is the 383 bolted down? If it would be easy to pull out why not let the other people get it along with the tranny? That's some weight right there.

I had thought about that but we do have a weight limit with the moving company and I'm not too sure if I'm even going to be able to get them to take the tranny being's it's not a "household" item so we will see...

Understandable.

[AirborneSilva]

could do a partial "do it yourself move" and rent a u-haul to pull it

Thats the best advice so far. 

Towing a charger is more then a Liberty can safely do. You will be putting your life and others on the line if you tow with it. You will be over the 5000lb tow rating easily with charger and weight of trailer. The liberty is a short vehicle and it will not be able to control the trailer safely.


I wouldn't want to try it. 50-100 miles is one thing. With a trip that short you could take a backroad, or go slow and easy. Going 2,000 or so miles is a whole different ballgame. If you have no choice I would ditch that engine, sell it for whatever you can get out of it. That will save you 400-600 pounds depending on what all is there. Maybe take the center section out of the rearend. That's another 70-80 lbs. I would remove anything I could from the car and send it with the movers. It's a lot easier to find a new engine than to take a big chance. Just an opinion for whatever it is worth?


Todd

Unfortunately we will be driving two vehicles back, my Rubi and the wifes Liberty, one of them needs to pull the trailerd Charger and I know for sure my Rubi can't do it.  My only other choice is to have the Charger moved back by a regular mover but I'd rather do it myself and get a trailer in the process 

Opinions is what I've asked for, so thank you.  If after the estimater comes out to make an estimate of our household items and it looks like we will be well within our budget I may ask if they will take the motor... 

[69DodgeCharger]

Is the 383 bolted down? If it would be easy to pull out why not let the other people get it along with the tranny? That's some weight right there.

I had thought about that but we do have a weight limit with the moving company and I'm not too sure if I'm even going to be able to get them to take the tranny being's it's not a "household" item so we will see...

Understandable.

Sell the tranny too then. It easily replaced.......Lives aren't

[AirborneSilva]

Is the 383 bolted down? If it would be easy to pull out why not let the other people get it along with the tranny? That's some weight right there.

I had thought about that but we do have a weight limit with the moving company and I'm not too sure if I'm even going to be able to get them to take the tranny being's it's not a "household" item so we will see...

Understandable.

Sell the tranny too then. It easily replaced.......Lives aren't

Good points 

[Todd Wilson]

Its not real tough to figure out.   You must first make damn sure your Liberty has the 5000lb rating. If you read the web site the Liberty has a tow rating of 2000lbs to 5000lbs depending on options.  They also specifically state tongue weight as a critical thing when towing with the liberty. You will have way more tongue weight then it can handle.  Being a short wheel base it wont handle the trailer very good and it will be the tail wagging the dog. They also state that the total weight of trailer be so many precent less then the tow rating of the vehicle so 5000lbs isnt the golden number.  You are most likely are looking at a total weight of maybe 4500lbs  this includes the Charger and the trailers weight and I am sure you will be over that. Your tires on the Liberty are not up to handle the weight. The suspension will not handle the weight and you will be floating all over the road. If something happens that trailer will take you for a ride putting your life and others into danger not to mention risking loosing your charger in the process. The brakes of the liberty wont handle stopping. If you get a good trailer it will have a brake on each axle (but most only have 1 or none) and still not be enough with the libertys smaller brakes.

We wont even mention the liability that will come up when the sue happy lawyers in the world get ahold of eveything if a wreck happens.


Didnt someone on this forum a year or so ago have a bad misfortune towing a Charger using a 1 ton Dually? If I remember right the truck did the job but took a beating during the recovery and stop.

I say this again and again when people ask about towing. Shit happens on the road and it happens fast. With a heavy trailer and a less then capable tow vehicle you are in trouble.  You most likely are going slower then normal and traffic is not friendly to a truck and a trailer. People will pull out in front of you. Change lanes or pass you and whip right in front of you only to slow down and stop to turn into a place simply because they dont want to follow the slow truck and trailer for another half a block to turn in to their place. Thats when you got to have your shit together when towing. Road conditions are not friendly. Pot holes or rough areas in the road will increase your chances of blowing a tire or causing things to buck and sway around. Get stuff in motion and you may not get it calmed down with the Liberty. Freeway driving thru big citys is a Nascar race all in itself. Try it with an under powered tow vehicle and then try to get stuff stopped when traffic suddenly goes from 70mph down to a crawl or stop.


By the time you buy a good trailer and brake controler you can have 2500$ or more invested. Good tie downs and chains arent cheap. You can get several hundred dollars in that alone.


You should be able to find someone to haul your charger for that kind of money and not have to worry about towing it. If you go ahead and do it and break down in the middle of the trip you will have to have stuff towed anyways. You will be putting a tremendous strain on the Libertys motor and drive train. Factor in everything I have mentioned the 2500$ will be cheap for transportation.


Todd

[69DodgeCharger]

Its not real tough to figure out.   You must first make damn sure your Liberty has the 5000lb rating. If you read the web site the Liberty has a tow rating of 2000lbs to 5000lbs depending on options.  They also specifically state tongue weight as a critical thing when towing with the liberty. You will have way more tongue weight then it can handle.  Being a short wheel base it wont handle the trailer very good and it will be the tail wagging the dog. They also state that the total weight of trailer be so many precent less then the tow rating of the vehicle so 5000lbs isnt the golden number.  You are most likely are looking at a total weight of maybe 4500lbs  this includes the Charger and the trailers weight and I am sure you will be over that. Your tires on the Liberty are not up to handle the weight. The suspension will not handle the weight and you will be floating all over the road. If something happens that trailer will take you for a ride putting your life and others into danger not to mention risking loosing your charger in the process. The brakes of the liberty wont handle stopping. If you get a good trailer it will have a brake on each axle (but most only have 1 or none) and still not be enough with the libertys smaller brakes.

We wont even mention the liability that will come up when the sue happy lawyers in the world get ahold of eveything if a wreck happens.


Didnt someone on this forum a year or so ago have a bad misfortune towing a Charger using a 1 ton Dually? If I remember right the truck did the job but took a beating during the recovery and stop.

I say this again and again when people ask about towing. Shit happens on the road and it happens fast. With a heavy trailer and a less then capable tow vehicle you are in trouble.  You most likely are going slower then normal and traffic is not friendly to a truck and a trailer. People will pull out in front of you. Change lanes or pass you and whip right in front of you only to slow down and stop to turn into a place simply because they dont want to follow the slow truck and trailer for another half a block to turn in to their place. Thats when you got to have your shit together when towing. Road conditions are not friendly. Pot holes or rough areas in the road will increase your chances of blowing a tire or causing things to buck and sway around. Get stuff in motion and you may not get it calmed down with the Liberty. Freeway driving thru big citys is a Nascar race all in itself. Try it with an under powered tow vehicle and then try to get stuff stopped when traffic suddenly goes from 70mph down to a crawl or stop.


By the time you buy a good trailer and brake controler you can have 2500$ or more invested. Good tie downs and chains arent cheap. You can get several hundred dollars in that alone.


You should be able to find someone to haul your charger for that kind of money and not have to worry about towing it. If you go ahead and do it and break down in the middle of the trip you will have to have stuff towed anyways. You will be putting a tremendous strain on the Libertys motor and drive train. Factor in everything I have mentioned the 2500$ will be cheap for transportation.


Todd

Yep...........What he said.

[JimShine]

Didnt someone on this forum a year or so ago have a bad misfortune towing a Charger using a 1 ton Dually? If I remember right the truck did the job but took a beating during the recovery and stop.

Last January uncle attempted to haul my 69 318 Charger with his 1 ton Dodge Dually. His truck was totalled when he tried to stop it quick after claiming he hit ice. I saw it with the bed removed and the frame was twisted atleast a foot out of whack.

[89MOPAR]

Agree with everything that Todd said , and....
You probably are not familiar with the intricacies of the complete route from your pace to D.C. so that is another problem, especially when you hit the steep decline you didn't know was there.

I'd take a look at some car hauling companies websites and get some quotes. Don't remember where your from but should be able to get it moved , on an open trailer/ hauler, for less tahn $1500.

[Todd Wilson]

Agree with everything that Todd said , and....
You probably are not familiar with the intricacies of the complete route from your pace to D.C. so that is another problem, especially when you hit the steep decline you didn't know was there.

I tend to forget about pulling hills  living in the flatlands of Kansas!   


Todd

[AirborneSilva]

LOL  WOW, I guess you really need to be careful what questions you ask around here!  I asked because I knew that the Liberty was right on the edge, for the record it's not a stock liberty, it does have a lift and 31" MTR's w/discs at all corners.  also, I do have some experience in pulling trailers and in heavy city traffic no less, I have also driven cross country as well, all though both were quite some time ago.  If that guy pulling the trailered charger in a 1 ton dually didn't hit ice then he did something VERY wrong and probably shouldn't be pulling anything!  Don't get me wrong I do appreciate all the responses. 

Thank you very much to all that replied 

[69DodgeCharger]

LOL  WOW, I guess you really need to be careful what questions you ask around here!  I asked because I knew that the Liberty was right on the edge, for the record it's not a stock liberty, it does have a lift and 31" MTR's w/discs at all corners.  also, I do have some experience in pulling trailers and in heavy city traffic no less, I have also driven cross country as well, all though both were quite some time ago.  If that guy pulling the trailered charger in a 1 ton dually didn't hit ice then he did something VERY wrong and probably shouldn't be pulling anything!  Don't get me wrong I do appreciate all the responses. 

Thank you very much to all that replied 

Don't do it.....You'll be sorry!

[Troy]

I'd worry more about going through the mountains near the end of the trip. I had all sorts of fun pulling a 383 Charger over them in my (old) 454 powered Suburban with 4.10s. I'd definitely confirm the tow rating of the Liberty and if it didn't come stock with a tow package then I wouldn't even consider it. My open trailer weighs 1,550 pounds (but most are 2,000-2,200) and a completely empty Charger shell probably weighs less than 1,500 pounds (my initial guess is closer to 1,200). Add the weight of the rear axle and suspension, front suspension, wheels, tires, and steering components and I'm only under 4,000 pounds total for a roller (barely 5,500 complete with the 440). In this case, you can subtract the 200 pounds or so of metal that the car is missing. With the right trailer you can shift the car around to get the desired tongue weight so that shouldn't be an issue. You should be able to get that car hauled for you for $700-900 with all the parts in it and you can buy a trailer when you get to your new home (less for you to drag along/break). Better yet, stop in Indiana where (the trailer manufacturing epicenter) and get a great deal (no transportation costs).

Troy

[AirborneSilva]

Thanks again for all the replies, I have made up my mind to come up with another option and dump the trailering with the liberty...

[supserdave]

I think you made the right choice. Maybe you could find a mover out there that could haul your liberty and the charger in one trip. It would save the gas in the liberty, and it probably wouldn't cost much more to haul two cars over one if you found the right guy. Just a thought....

[Red Ram]

To be brutally honest...a Jeep Liberty has trouble pulling itself. Raising the center of gravity would only make things worse. Good decision to get someone else to tow it.

[Aero426]

A Liberty is just too short a wheelbase to get the job done.  As mentioned, stuff happens on the road.   That trailer and Charger will walk the dog up front.   

[JR]

The minimum I would ever think about towing any car on a trailer with is a half ton truck with a tow package.

Anything smaller than that is pushing it.

if you had to come to a sudden stop in that Liberty it wouldn't be pretty.

I'm glad your using something elese.