Before shots

[CT_V-20]

The Jeep is rated to tow 5,000 lbs and has the towing package. I'm not sure how much my trailer weighs, but it's probably somewhere in the 1,000-1,200 lb range so I think the Jeep is not too bad with the boat, motor, trailer and a full tank of gas coming in somewhere near 4,000 lbs. But I wouldn't want to do many hills with it and I don't have the brakes hooked up so stopping requires planning. Some of my friends tow their boats up the coast to launch and take across the sound to Montauk. If I ever do that I'll get the brakes squared away and I'd be comfortable since that trip is pretty flat. It definately feels like it's working when I'm towing and I think I have a little too much tongue weight (though that should change some with the increased set back from the Armstrong bracket), but it's definately safe. I keep the boat in the water so I really only use the trailer twice a year.

I'm leaving my teak platform on and not getting any additional platforms added. I do sometimes land a fish from the stern and the additional platforms add almost $1k. But I like the "full" bracket like MJ's looks. I do like the thought of someday adding a trolling motor to the stern.