Author Topic: Chrysler will put a trailer hitch on my Jeep Liberty so it won't go full Pinto!  (Read 3434 times)

Gewehr98

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I kid you not.  I received the recall notice in the mail today.  

They fought the NHTSA on a recall, and came up with a plan to protect the gas tank on the Jeep Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee.  

They're putting receiver hitches on the 2002-2007 Liberty and 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee because the gas tanks are mounted behind the rear axle.

I'm not opposed to it, because I was going to buy and install one eventually, but I'm curious how this helps in a high-speed rear end collision.   ???

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/nhtsa-jeep-grand-cherokee-liberty-trailer-hitch-recall/
« Last Edit: January 21, 2014, 01:24:15 PM by Gewehr98 »
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TechMan

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I kid you not.  I received the recall notice in the mail today.  

They fought the NHTSA on a recall, and came up with a plan to protect the gas tank on the Jeep Liberty and Jeep Cherokee.  

They're putting receiver hitches on the 2002-2007 Liberty and 1993-2004 Jeep Cherokee because the gas tanks are mounted behind the rear axle.

I'm not opposed to it, because I was going to buy and install one eventually, but I'm curious how this helps in a high-speed rear collision.   ???

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/20/nhtsa-jeep-grand-cherokee-liberty-trailer-hitch-recall/

It will definitely make it go explody at high speeds, by piercing the gas tank.


ETA:  /sarcasm
« Last Edit: January 21, 2014, 03:12:57 PM by adively »
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Brad Johnson

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Not more splody.  Less splody.  Don't think of it as a hitch.  Rather, think of it as "a bolt-fastened externally visible energy-dissipating chassis component with integrated towable vehicle connection provision" and it makes more sense.  Big chunk o' thick walled steel hard mounted to the rear of the frame acting as a structural member and tank shield.  Chances are it's many times stronger than the frame railes it will be attached to.  Ford had to do this on the Excursion, but not for tank protection.  The rear hitch wasn't just a rear hitch.  It was also an anti-submarine bar to keep smaller vehicles from running too far under the rear overhang in a collision (helps keep the Prii from sticking in the underpinnings should unintentional contact occur).

Brad
« Last Edit: January 21, 2014, 02:46:16 PM by Brad Johnson »
It's all about the pancakes, people.
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BryanP

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It will definitely make it go explody at high speeds, by piercing the gas tank.

But hey, free trailer hitch.
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Harold Tuttle

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are they going to wire it?

i bought one from Tractor Supply for my GC last year on clearance

the OEM looks the same as my reece, where are they going to get the parts?
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He only has one purpose--Do bad things to good people! Mit science! What good is science if no one gets hurt?!"

Gewehr98

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That's a fine question, Harold.

Taking a page from my DoD days, I'd say, "Lowest Bidder".   :lol:
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AZRedhawk44

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It's a large, squared, U-shaped wraparound guard that will coincidentally protect the gas tank by redirecting collision energy into the left/right structural frame elements rather than allowing the rear bumper to tear into the gas tank.  And you can pull stuff with it.

Be happy!  Your hippysquisher is going to be 100 pounds heavier after adding structural integrity to it.  This is a Good ThingTM.
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roo_ster

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It's a large, squared, U-shaped wraparound guard that will coincidentally protect the gas tank by redirecting collision energy into the left/right structural frame elements rather than allowing the rear bumper to tear into the gas tank.  And you can pull stuff with it.

Be happy!  Your hippysquisher is going to be 100 pounds heavier after adding structural integrity to it.  This is a Good ThingTM.

The Liberty is too small to squish hippies.  More of a hippy tenderizer
Regards,

roo_ster

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Tallpine

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Free trailer hitch.  What's the problem  ???

Virtually all car gas tanks used to be behind the rear axle.  But back in the old days cars had bumpers.   ;/

So now they put it right under the rear seat to be "safe"
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

Brad Johnson

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Free trailer hitch.  What's the problem  ???

Virtually all car gas tanks used to be behind the rear axle.  But back in the old days cars had bumpers.   ;/

So now they put it right under the rear seat to be "safe"

Pffft.  Sissy pansies.  Only safe place for the gas tank is in the cab.   =D

Brad
It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
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Tallpine

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Pffft.  Sissy pansies.  Only safe place for the gas tank is in the cab.   =D

Brad

I've had plenty of those  ;)
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

AZRedhawk44

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Pffft.  Sissy pansies.  Only safe place for the gas tank is in the cab between your legs.   =D



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"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist."
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I reject your authoritah!

Gewehr98

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Pffft.  Sissy pansies.  Only safe place for the gas tank is in the cab under the driver's seat.

FTFY.  Remember, this is a Jeep. 

"Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round...

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Tallpine

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Is that why officers always had some private to drive them around?   :lol:
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

vaskidmark

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Is that why officers always had some private to drive them around?   :lol:

No.  It was so the officer could hold the map and compass.  =D

stay safe.
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TechMan

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No.  It was so the officer could hold the map and compass.  =D

stay safe.

And still get them lost.
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Bad decisions make good stories.

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RevDisk

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No.  It was so the officer could hold the map and compass.  =D

stay safe.

And that is how I illegally invaded Greece. Their border guards thought it was hilarious.
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KD5NRH

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Not more splody.  Less splody.  Don't think of it as a hitch.  Rather, think of it as "a bolt-fastened externally visible energy-dissipating chassis component with integrated towable vehicle connection provision" and it makes more sense.

Forget towing stuff.  Mount a hay fork for better energy dissipation, and deterrent effect.

Brad Johnson

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Forget towing stuff.  Mount a hay fork for better energy dissipation, and deterrent effect.

 >:D


For the benefit of you non-farm folk, he's referring to this...





Brad
It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
-HankB