Thoughts on tow setup

[mcj115]

I would like everyone's thoughts/safety call outs on the combo I'll have for towing. Long story short my father has a rollback truck for his personal use due to costs versus his limited use, so I'll be loosing my hauling rig. At the same time my father in law came upon a equipment trailer he doesn't need/want so I'll be buying that to haul. So I'll be buying his trailer to supplement my occasional towing needs.

My rig will be a 2002 1500 WT Silverado with ~5700 tow rating. The trailer is a 18x7 10k rated equipment trailer with electric brakes in the 2.2k range. I haul very infrequently, maybe 6 times a year and just around town, maybe 30 miles. Additionally what I tow is rather light. my Deere 2305 (~3k with mower deck), a Willys jeep(also ~3k), Ural sidecar (0.9k) or a Bobcat utility-2200 (approx 1.5k).

I know due to my truck that I cannot load the trailer to it's rated limits, however I think as long as I am smart, aware and stay within my trucks ratings I should be okay. In the spirit of safety I have a set of portable scales so I do have the ability to ensure I stay inside/near my rigs and legal limits.

I know this ins't an optimal but setup but I am still wanting to keep the flexibility to move my equipment (safely) without spending a ton. Eventually (a few years from now), I'll probably step up to a 2500 truck but for now my 1500 will have to due.

Also I'll add I am familiar with towing, but not towing anything with electric brakes. I drove two trucks for years anything from a 1 ton a a 12 ton wrecker, so that was more hook up (safety chains/lights) and go with no worry about brakes. I have also hauled similar equipment trailers but with surge brakes. Any call outs for someone who is accustomed to passive braking, when switching over to electric?

I'm open to thoughts, cautions, or any other comments.

 

[AWSubie]

All you need is a decent brake controller and to watch your tongue weight.

 

[tractorshopper]

Agree with above. You should be able to buy a brake controller and install yourself pretty easily. There is usually a wiring harness under the dash that you can get a brake controller with the proper plug and play wiring for your truck. Maybe have to run an extra wire somewhere. You should also be able to buy the 7 pin wiring harness plug and play somewhere under your rear turn signals or under the bed somewhere if you don't already have the 7 pin harness on your truck.

Tekonsha makes good controllers. You can find installation videos in YouTube to help you out.

Having trailer brakes is great, takes a lot of the work away from your truck brakes. Make sure you have enough tongue weight with any load you put on since the combination weight will otherwise push you around.

 

[mcj115]

I've gone down the path of a Curt inertia based controller (Triflex 51140) rather than the Tekonsha line. I was kind of blind when ordering, I know I didn't want time delay style controller and would prefer the inertia style. Hopefully Curt vs Tekonsha is just a Kubtota vs John Deere (I hope it is a quality product, just a different manufacturer).

 

[nyone]

Tekonsha controlers have a lifetime warrenty. Make sure you get a proportional controler. Your def going to need every bit of brakes you can with a 1500 truck. There built like cars now.

 

[timswi]

Tekonsha conrtrolers have a lifetime warrenty. Make sure you get a proportional controler. Your def going to need every bit of brakes you can with a 1500 truck. There built like cars now.

Have to disagree. My 2013 and 2016 1500's pull, stop, haul and handle better than anything I've owned from the 60's to the mid 2k's.

 

[Lowcountry Rebel]

install a brake controller but just as important is a weight distributing hitch with spring bars- it will take out the sag and greatly increase your control.