Setting up a tow setup

[jschenck]

I just got an '04 Liberty Limited a little over a month ago. I got a great deal on it. It's 2WD (I would have preferred 4WD, but I really wouldn't have used it except during inclement weather, so it wasn't a necessity), and didn't come from the factory equipped with a tow package. However, herein lies the problem...

I got the Liberty because the 3.7 is a strong motor and the vehicle has a great suspension for towing. I plan to get a small camper in the near future, but i need to get the Liberty set up first.

I know that I'm going to need a class III hitch reciever and a wiring harness to begin with so that I can tow small trailers, etc.

However, I want to get an electronic brake controller setup so that I can tow somewhat larger trailers/campers, etc.

My question is what is going to be the best route for setting up an electronic brake controller? Should I shop around for an aftermarket set up and go that route, or should I try to get ahold of an OEM tow package and have that installed by my dealership?

 

[Minimike]

I have had good luck with aftermarket brake controllers, and they are cheaper. My empire trailer has a good trailer brake setup.

Depending on what you are towing for a camper you might be in for a surprise.
I tow a 75' Empire camper with a load leveling hitch. It pushes the jeep around
considerably. The power is there but the jeep get pushed around a lot over bumps
and when stopping. The trailer weights in at 3500lbs unloaded. Around 4000lbs
loaded. The rating for the Lib is 5000lbs. However I would never tow anything that
heavy any great distance. Our one hour trip to Prequile park in Ontario was long
enough with the 3500lb trailer. Also expect SHIT mileage lol. With the trailer I was
getting 300km per tank.

 

[JeepinJarhead03]

for the brake controller, i broke my old one and got a tekonsha?*sp* P2, and im really liking it so far on the tow pig

there's several aftermarket trailer plug harnesses out there, IMO the mopar trailer harness is better and has less issues, shouldn't be too expensive and it's pretty easy to wire in

i dont tow with the KJ so someone who does can advise you on the hitch itself

 

[jschenck]

I won't be towing anything close to 5000 lbs. I'm ball-parking more around 3000-3500 max when the camper is loaded. So, to set my jeep up, all I'll need is a hitch reciever, brake controller, and a wiring harness?

 

[Minimike]

The only other mod I did for towing was replace the squishy soft rear springs. The stock springs cried for help when I put the trailer on them. Sitting about 3/4" off the bump stops. I upgraded to some very heavy duty springs I got from an Antique car dealer.

 

[JeepinJarhead03]

you could upgrade the rear to 948 ome's, jba25 or bds but it's gonna give the vehicle a rake without doing the same to the front

if you're against a lift there's been several who've used "tow bags" inside the rear springs to support towed loads, and air the bags down when not towing

i have pictures of mine with just the rear on JBA25 coils and the front unlifted, im pretty sure you'd be against it