Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Liberty?

Yes, you can flat tow a Jeep Liberty, especially the 2 wheel drive models with all its 4 wheels on the ground. Many options are available with regards to towing a broken-down vehicle or one which needs to be towed for whatever reason.

Some of these towing procedures are through the use of a tow truck, a tow bar, or a tow dolly, among several others. A tow dolly is a kind of two-wheel trailer which prevents the vehicle’s drive wheels of the towed vehicle from touching the ground during the towing period.

Although the tow dolly is comparatively easier to store and is also cheaper to either buy or rent than the other alternatives, using a tow dolly for towing vehicles has its shortcomings too.

For one, the Jeep Liberty 2 WD models are flat towable when their 4 wheels are on the ground after the removal of the driveshaft or after installing the driveshaft override.

Therefore, whenever you are flat towing the 4WD model, you should shift the transfer case to the Neutral gear position(N), while the transmission system must be maintained in the Park position, even though there are no speed or distance limitations whatsoever. 

Flat towing is most convenient and suitable for vehicles that are equipped with a rear-wheel-drive which also has a manual transfer case that can be placed in Neutral too. Luckily, most Jeep cars can be easily flat towed, but which Jeeps are we talking about here?

These Jeeps are Wrangler, Liberty 2 WD, Gladiator, all 4 ×4 models of the Jeep Patriot, Cherokee( those equipped with the ActiveDrive II or the 2-speed PTU),  and so on. Therefore, yes, you can flat tow a Jeep Liberty.

In the case of those Jeep Liberty models with 4 WD, shift their transfer case into Neutral and the transmission into the Park mode, doing this will make it easily flat towable much like any other vehicle.

Jeeps are known to vary from year to year. As a result, simply because your older Jeep may be flatly towable, does not imply that a newer model from a different year is flat towable too.

Consequently, you should always verify towing specifications from the user manual before you start anything at all. In addition, you should also find out whether or not you can use a tow bar as well. 

How do I flat tow a Jeep Liberty?

It is easy to flat-tow a Jeep Liberty, although this depends on its type. For example, if it is an FWD( front-wheel drive) type, you can use a tow dolly that will effectively lift its front tires off the ground, and by doing so, save its transmission system from any damage in the process.

On the other hand, if it is a 4 WD, you can either deactivate the transmission system by putting the gear lever in the Park position( P) and the transfer case shifted to the Neutral position(N), or by the installation of the driveshaft override mechanism.

Either of these procedures will effectively protect and safeguard your transmission system from damage of any kind during the towing. Alternatively, you can also haul the vehicle onto the flatbed of a tow truck, a procedure that will equally keep your vehicle’s transmission system safe too.

Is it safe to flat-tow a Jeep Liberty on my own?

Yes, it is safe to flat tow your Jeep Liberty all by yourself,  provided you go about it as you should. For example, before you embark on any flat towing of the vehicle, confirm any conditions of doing it correctly with due reference to its user manual.

This includes taking necessary countermeasures against damage to the vehicle or its transmission. Additionally, you should also drive carefully and within the allowed speed limits for towing, and equally not for distances that are described as too much for the engine to cope with.

What happens if I can’t flat tow a Jeep Liberty?

In cases where you can not flat tow your Jeep Liberty, you have the option of towing it by the use of a flatbed tow trailer. This will make certain that none of your wheels roll on the ground, which will effectively prevent any damage to the vehicle.

However, when doing this, you should ensure that you choose the tow vehicle carefully so that its capacity is not less than the weight of the car you wish to tow and also use the correct tow bar too.

Can I flat tow any Jeep?

No, you cannot flat tow just any jeep because some are flatly towable while others are not. But to be on the side of caution, you can confirm this through the user manual or by making inquiries about these details from the manufacturer’s customer care service department.

For instance, among those Jeeps that are not flat towable are the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Renegade. In addition, other features of the Jeeps may complicate issues concerning safe towing, such as front-wheel drive characteristics, full or part-time 4 wheel drive systems, and also the electronic transmissions.

 Nowadays, most vehicles are equipped with a wide range of specifications and features, which make safe towing a complicated matter particularly when necessary care is not taken.

However, the major problem is when you attempt to flat-tow a vehicle that is not so recommended and without the proper lubrication of its transmission.

To be more specific, some vehicles require their pump within the transmission system to be in a continuous motion to maintain all its moving parts fully lubricated.

Consequently, in cars with manual transmissions that are pump dependent, or even in vehicles with automatic transmission systems, severe damage to the transmission mechanisms can occur when flat towing if adequate lubrication is not provided. 

Whenever the rolling wheels of a car turn its driveshaft without enough lubrication of the output shaft, you could be asking for trouble. Therefore, rather than paying an expensive price, which you can do without, conduct proper research before you do anything.

That is primarily one of the reasons why the user manual is provided, and alternatively, you can also make inquiries about these things from any auto specialist or auto shop closest to you, just in case.

Frequently asked questions(FAQ)

Can you flat tow a 2005 Jeep Liberty?

Yes, you can flat tow the 2005 Jeep Liberty, like many other similar cars too. Another eep cars you can flat tow are the Jeep Wrangler because of its lightweight and narrow body, which makes it suitable for most RVs( recreational vehicles).

More of these flat towable jeeps are the Gladiator, all 4× 4 models of the Jeep Patriot, most models of the Jeep Liberty, among which is the 2005 Jeep Liberty, and some models of the Jeep Cherokee,  specifically those provided with the Active Drive ll or the 2-speed PTU, and the 4-low versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Despite everything, your best assurance is to refer to your user manual in every situation, especially when it relates to the make, model, and year of production of each particular jeep. 

Make it a habit to always adhere very strictly to the maximum towing capacity of your RV before making any attempt to use it in towing,  for your sake as well as that of the vehicle itself.

Refer to the user manual to ascertain whether it is indeed safe or otherwise to tow at all. It can also provide you with very valuable cues in successful towing. All in all, the 2005 Jeep Liberty is one of many jeep models that are very well flat towable.

Can you flat tow a 2012 Jeep Liberty?

Yes, you can flat tow a 2012 Jeep Liberty as much as you could any other jeep. Be that as it may, you are bound to need at least five other things to be able to flat tow the 2012 Jeep Liberty.

These are the base plates, a good and appropriate tow bar, safety cables, lighting for illumination, and a supplementary brake system.

Always ensure that before you use any tow bar, the gross weight of the vehicle is beneath 5, 000 pounds, when you add the weight of its cargo in the mix. Luckily, the accompanying user manual is provided for all such purposes. Therefore, you are strongly advised to refer to it always before you do anything. 

Conclusion – Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Liberty?

Noways, most vehicles are flat towable, in some cases straightforwardly, while in others only after making certain adjustments and the installation of some extra devices like the steering wheel lock override or the deactivation of the drive shaft of the vehicle entirely.

Luckily, you can flat tow and very successfully too, if you go about it with strict adherence to all the instructions and recommendations given in the user manual.

In some instances where you cannot flat tow the vehicle, you are still having the option of hauling it with the aid of a tow trailer or truck, whose capacity is not beneath the weight of the vehicle to be towed.

In this way, no wheel rolls on the ground and so, no damage is done to anything; safe, clean, dry, and finally home too.