Towing Issues: Jeep Wrangler, surge brakes, jeep wrangler

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a question about towing with a Jeep wrangler.  Actually I appologize because you just answered a similar question but I have an additional variable.  I have an 88 wrangler with a 4.2, I believe the towing capacity is 2000lbs.  I know the engine itself is capable of towing more (i.e. same engine in the cherokee).  I have a boat that weighs a little more, closer to 2800 lbs (when fully loaded), HOWEVER the trailer is equipped with surge brakes.  I've never towed the boat with this vehicle but i'm considering getting rid of my truck and using the wrangler.  As long as I dont exceed the gvwr, is this safe?  Thanks a lot!

ANSWER: The GVWR is just one part of the towing equation.  You add in the weight on the hitch to the load inside the jeep for that.  But by your own research, you are already about 40% over the towing capacity for the vehicle, no matter what the GVWR is.

Surge brakes are OK, but the problem is you can't really control them.  I am NOT a fan of surge brakes.   What happens if the trailer starts swaying?  The worst thing you can do is get on the vehicle brakes, but with surge brakes, you can't apply the trailer brakes without doing that.  With electric brakes, you can apply the trailer brakes without the jeep brakes and probably stop the sway.

Give it a try, but be careful and make sure you have enough tongue weight.  for this rig, you should have near 280 pounds on the hitch (10% of trailer weight on the hitch ball is standard)

Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you know if it is possible to convert a surge brake system to an electric brake system?  Maybe its not worth the hassle and I should pick up a cheap truck.  I dont go far with the boat usually but I dont want to do anything unsafe.

Answer
I would think you would have to switch out the axles and I doubt you would think it worth the money,effort.

Surge brakes DO work, and you can probably get along just fine with them, but I just like more control.

I would say hook up the rig and take it on some close-by test drives at slow speeds, and build up some experience and speed.  If the jeep sags a lot under the load, try a load equalizing hitch, these solve a LOT of problems.  Google Reese or Draw Tite.

Don