lilcat4646
Phoenix AZ
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Joined: 02/18/2008
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After eight years of towing a Honda CRV behind our diesel pusher we are thinking of switching to a new Jeep Liberty 4X4. One question to which we are getting varying answers concerns if the odometer registers miles while the vehicle is under tow. I would really appreciate hearing from a 2008 liberty owner having experience using it as a dinghy. I think this probably the best way to get the conclusive answer we seek.
My second question is regarding the instruction in the owners manual (page 380 step 15) to disconnect the battery negative cable when preparing the Liberty for towing. Can anyone tell me the reason for disconnecting the battery and if some of you out there are bypassing this step without consequences? This seems like quite an inconvenience and may be enough to cause us to pass on the Liberty purchase.
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grinder
Courtenay, British Columbia
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Joined: 05/31/2006
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Can not answer your first question but a suggestion on the second question would be to put a knife cut off on the negative battery cable. Just lift the hood, pull the knife blade, you are then safe to run. When you stop, lift the hood, connect the knife blade. Not a real hassle. Cost wise, very cheap to install yourself.
Ted
Courtenay, BC
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Wheel Estate
Emery, S.D.
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Joined: 02/01/2005
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wow if your right it will upset me....I've been dragging one around for years with none of those problems. I hope they did't screw up the best toad i ever had!!
Rick & MaryAnn
we accompany, a beagle, sir Cody, drive '06 Phaeton
SMI brake stopping a Jeep liberty toad
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Ken C
Rapid City, SD, formerly SF Bay Area, Ca
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Joined: 12/30/2002
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The following are links to a couple prior posts on the 08 Liberty. Miles do not register since the transfer case is in neutral.
http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/20807090/srt/pa/pging/1/page/3.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/20980964.cfm
Ken
03 Tradewinds LTC
08 Jeep Liberty Limited
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lilcat4646
Phoenix AZ
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Joined: 02/18/2008
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Thanks Grinder, W E and Ken for the great feedback. There was a lot of good info on the links you posted. I am pretty well satisfied the miles will not register when towing with the ignition off. I'm not sure why some of the sales people say it does, I guess they are just misinformed.
I also read several posts regarding the battery disconnect issue. Some say it is to prevent running the battery down and some say it is to prevent the electric transfer case switch (new on 2008) from accidentally going into gear while towing. Since the 2008 Liberty does not have steering lock when the key is off, nothing in the towing instructions mentions leaving the key in and on the acc position before towing. This would make me think battery discharge is not the issue. Does anyone know why the manual recommends the disconnection of the negative battery cable before towing?
Thanks for your help
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saltriver
phoenix, az.
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Joined: 12/08/2002
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Wish I did but cant find any answers from Bill luke Jeep. I am leaving March 1 for Florida, plan to stop every 2 hours+ at rest stops and run engine, will have key on for BB power. On a recent 40 mile test drive had no issues with jeep or blue ox setup.
Bob & Sue (Driverman & SignLady)
2004 Allegro Bay 34xb
2008 Jeep Liberty
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BillyP
Cedar Point, NC
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Joined: 01/13/2005
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I have a new 08 Liberty. Have only towed it a couple hundred miles but, no mileage added during tow. I have not been disconnecting the battery. No problems.
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lilcat4646
Phoenix AZ
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Joined: 02/18/2008
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Thanks Saltriver and Billy. Your first hand experience with the 2008 Liberty is very helpful.
I am still having a hard time understanding why the owners manual requires the battery cable be removed for towing. I understand that most people believe it is a battery discharge issue as in the earlier Liberty's where people would remove the fuse powering the radio and some intruments because the key had to be left in the ACC position when towing to keep the steering wheel from locking. As I understand the towing procedure for the 2008 there is no need to put the key in the ACC position or even leave it in the switch because the steering wheel does not lock when the key is off. If the key is in the off position, there should be no more battery discharge when towing than there would be if the Liberty was sitting in the driveway for a couple of days.
Further information on this issue would be very much appreiated.
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lkentn
Johnston, IA, USA
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Joined: 01/02/2001
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I had to tow my new Liberty from the Blue Ox plant in Pender NE yesterday with the battery cable connected because I need to use the 12 volt connection in the Jeep for my wireless brake sender to send the signal to my coach. I experienced no problems what-so-ever with doing this. Just to be on the safe side, I have my Jeep dealer doing research on this with Jeep technical people. I will post any new info here as soon as I receive anything.
Kent and Margaret
2004 Newmar Kountry Star DP 38'
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Whtbass
johnsburg, Illinois
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Joined: 05/14/2002
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disconecting the battery would disable ay kind of brake buddy type device. I have towed a '03 and 05 liberty with no problem without disconecting the cable.
Dave & Mary Anne
2006 Mountain Aire 43 ft
400cummins
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Brake Buddy
Brittany Named Cassie
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