Best 2 Kayak Carrier for a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
Question:
I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade. What equipment do I need to carry 2 kayaks?
asked by: Phyllis
Expert Reply:
Your best bet in a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade is to obtain a hitch-mounted solution, such as a Malone EcoLight Trailer, part # MAL53FR
According to my research, the 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade is only rated for a maximum of 65lbs loaded on the roof, significantly limiting your options for carrying even one kayak because it can easily exceed your weight capacity from just the kayak alone.
With a trailer like the Malone EcoLite, you open up a wealth of options for carrying multiple items mounted behind your vehicle.
First, you'll need to purchase a trailer hitch for your vehicle, and verify the available load capacity and tongue weight of your vehicle in the owner's manual. I recommend a Class III hitch like a Draw Tite Class III Max, part # 75128, as this gives you enough capacity from the hitch to carry the trailer. You'll also need a 2" trailer hitch ball and a wiring kit for the trailer's tail lights. The etrailer.com ball mount kit for 2" hitches, part # 989900, includes the ball and hitch shank for you to connect the trailer to. And a wiring kit like the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness, part # 42475 will help you connect the wiring quickly and easily.
Next, you'll need to add a carrying solution to the Malone EcoLite. The unique thing about the EcoLite is that it behaves like a roof rack, giving you a uniquely wide range of solutions. Since you're looking for carrying two, the easiest way to mount and carry two kayaks is a J-style mount which is extremely easy and can be oriented to each side of the trailer for easy loading.
From there, you'll want to pick a kayak solution to fit the square roof bars on the trailer. I recommend the Swagman Contour Kit, part # S65148, because it mounts quickly and will be easy to load and tie down onto the trailer itself.
Products Referenced in This Question
Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 500 lbs TW
- 5000 lbs GTW
- 7500 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 750 lbs WD TW
- Concealed Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Swagman Contour Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Fixed - Clamp On
- Watersport Carriers
- Kayak
- Roof Mount Carrier
- J-Style
- Fixed
- Aero Bars
- Elliptical Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Side Loading
- Clamp On
- No Load Assist
- Swagman
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Malone EcoLight Sport Trailer - 58" Crossbars - 400 lbs
- Trailers
- Sports Trailer
- Crossbar Style
- 14 Feet Long
- 400 lbs
- 4-1/2W x 11L Foot
- Galvanized Steel
- Malone
more information >
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