wife and i just bought our first camper. just a lil pop-up for now to make sure we are going to use it and it will fit in the garage to store it. well i say lil, but it is the biggest one viking makes 2485 st. it dry weight by the manual is 2400 and some change so say 2500. add the few lil acc so around 2600-2700. i have an 06 SCrew 2WD lariat with the 3.73 ls and 5.4 with HD towing package. question is, do you think i will need the brake controller for the trailer that weights that much? and yes the trailer has elec brakes. i know it is something fairly cheap and easy to install, but i was wondering it i really need it. thanks........oh yea.....i get to pick it up on wed so i will post some pics of it in a few days.....cant wait..already have the next 3 weekends planned...........

 

I'll take a stab at it. If you have electric brakes, I would say yes. If not, what would tell the e-brkaes to turn on. I certainly wouldn't want my truck stopping a 1.5 ton item behind me by itself when i'm pulling it. I would like some help. I use to pull a TT gooseneck with about 15K pounds behind me. I CERTAINLY liked the e-brakes on that trailer. Especially if you are in an emergency and you have to slam on the brakes. What happens then if you didn't have them. Just my .02. Take it as you want. Anyone else have anything to say?

 

Congrats on your new camper!
I too tow a lil pup, it’s a 2318g Rockwood with shower, toilet, hot water, furnace, slide out, etc..
It has electric brakes and I recommend that you use them.
I am not an expert so you may be able to get away without using them but I would not tow mine without. I too would hate to be without them in an emergency when you hit the brake and keep on rolling. I like the feeling of braking and knowing you are going to be able to stop when you need to.
A good break control will run you around $100 and it’s so simple to install yourself. Cheap insurance that my truck (19k), camper (9k) and most of all my family (priceless) will have a safe trip.
Just my .02

 

If it was only a one-time tow I wouldn't spend the money on a controller. But since this is a trailer you now own and plan to use with your family... a brake controller is worth every penny. Not only for ease of towing and safety, but also for reduced brake wear on your truck.

 

It's simple, If the trailer has brakes get the brake controller. If it don't......don't.

 

i am looking at the protigy 2.6v brake controller right now. i hvae the relay and wire harness that came with my truck but it has the 6 plug connector for under the dash on one end, and then just 5 pigtails on the other. i see there is a wire harness for the protigy for my truck that has the connectors on both ends, but it only looks like 4 wires. it is plug and play, or is there a wire i need to connect somewhere else. thanks

 

Plug and play.

 

If your TT has e-brakes, by all means get the Prodegy---I do not have a travel trailer, but routinely haul a great deal of firewood, and, as the others have said, the e-brakes help a great deal and add to the safety of the towing.

Tim C.

 

Every state has their own rules for trailers and electric brakes. They vary between 2000 and 3000 pounds when you need one. Regardless, you will benefit from having the electric brakes on the trailer, as others have said.

Now, I towed a 2500 pound car on a 500 pound dolly plus a bed full of parts and lugage & kid crap 900 miles withough any problems, although it was mostly flat. No brakes on dollys. I've also towed 8000 pounds without trailer brakes, but that was a short 8 mile trip. Both cases would have been better with brakes, if the traielrs supproted them.