http://www.rjays.com/Tekonsha/prodigy-01.htm

http://www.rjays.com


Thanks for the tip and the link. I was looking for advice on brake controllers and was already leaning toward the Tekonsha Prodigy. You provided a much better place to buy one, saved me some money.<g> Thanks!

I have a question: I'll be occaisionally towing a fairly heavy 2-axle trailer (Boy Scout trailer), not sure exactly how heavy, probably 6-7 thousand pounds when fully loaded.

Another gentleman uses a new Dodge crewcab (not the Hemi) to pull the trailer and he had to replace his differential fluid, on the advice of his dealer. Is there anything I need to do to my 2001 King Ranch SuperCrew 4x4 (with towing and offroad packages) to pull that trailer?

Terry

 

If you have the 5.4 7100# is the max loaded trailer weight for your truck (6100# with 4.6). The GCWR is 12500# (11500# with 4.6). Take 7k away and that means you, your truck and everything else in it can only weigh 5500#. I’d bet you’re already over it unloaded. A 6-7k# trailer is a lot for your truck.

At the very least, you will need a weight distributing hitch, assuming the trailer isn’t a 5th wheel or gooseneck. I’d think twice before towing with that much weight. You may be able to do it under perfect conditions, but think of all the idiots out there who always cut in front of you. Any avoidance maneuvers that you may need to employ will definitely have a high pucker factor. Think about stopping that much weight. When you’ve got a trailer that outweighs the tow vehicle you’re more likely to get the tail-wagging-the-dog problem. I wouldn’t tow it if I had my boy in the truck.

 

Sounds like I need to find out just how much it really weights when fully loaded. I'm going by estimates from others, so there's probably a high uncertainty factor.

I'm trying to find out the PCM setup on the truck, since there is a sticker on the air filter canister...so apparently the settings have been changed...need to find out what they are, hard to even read them...looks like 107A-18A650-BLB (but could be 1U7A-...).

I have the 3.55LS rearend, according to the sticker (H9), so I assume it's supposed to be running 75/140 synthetic. But I don't know that either, since I bought it used. Probably should just have it changed and then I'll know it's right. Tag on rear diff reads S 941 A on top line, 55 9 75 1D20 on the bottom.

Thanks for the feedback! That's what I'm lookng for.