what is the difference in them? some start at $50 and go up to $200+.

what am I looking for?

i will be towing a dual axle 5000+ trailer with a 2004 heritage f150, 4.2 liter, v6, 139" wheel base, auto trans, 3.55 ratio regular axle, 6050# gvwr package.

also will my new f-150 be able to handle this size trailer? it will only be a one way - one time trip.

 

They all do the same thing..... That is, apply a certain amount of power (volts) to the trailer brakes depending on how much or how little you have it set to apply.

The cheap ones only apply the power in a quick burst of power, so you will feel the trailer kinda "jerk" the truck as the brakes are fist applied. Each time you let off the brakes and apply them, you get this jerky action.

The more expensive ones have more sophisticated electronics and such and actually sense how hard you are applying the brakes by how fast your momentium is slowing down. The faster you slow down, the more power is sent to the brakes. If you are just creeping along in traffic, not a whole lot of power goes to the trailer. The first application of the brakes only sends a little power to the brakes, and then once they are engaged, more power is sent so that it's more gradual and you can hardly tell the brakes are being applied!

I've got one called the "Prodigy" and it's like the later above. It cost me about $150, but you can get them online for around $100 now.

My first controller was a $50.00 cheap one, and it did work, but it was very jerky and was hard to keep calibrated. I used it on two trips.....

Now, as far as your truck towing a #5000 trailer....... Well, how far are you going on this "one way, one time trip"? If it's a couple hundred miles, you'll probably be ok, but if it's cross country, then I'd reconsider..... Your trucks GCWR is only #10000, so the weight of the truck and the trailer can only weigh a max of #10000. Your truck will weigh in at about #5000 all by itself... Then if you add any more people, or put anything in the bed, that adds to it's payload and will also reduce the max amount the trailer can weigh.

If the trailer you are going to tow is #5000 fully loaded, then you'll be maxed out, but should get down the road. If that's the trailers "dry" weight, then I'd say no way....

You'll want to use a weight distribution hitch as well..... My trailer weighs about #4500 fully loaded and my truck does very well with it, but I've got the 5.4 V8 as well....

Lots of other things to consider as well, but this should get you a general idea of what you are getting into......

Good luck!

Mitch

 

thanks mitch, i appreciate the words of wisdom. i will be trekking about 600 miles one way from cali to oregon. i will definitely check into the prodigy, it sounds like the way to go. i just hope when fully loaded that the darn thing isn't over the 10,000 gcwr this will definitely be the first time i've pulled this big of a trailer especially such a long distance but it has to be done.

 

Be extremely careful, the "hills" aren't a good place to be earning your wings And if your trailer starts pushing you around it could be a wild ride to say the least.





FM