Towing Mods - Advice Please

[GMCanuck]

Ok, so we just closed the deal on a 2011 Jayco 24' travel trailer, and I am looking for some advice. I am used to towing an 8' pop-up, which never required any add-ons, but this baby is a little different. The trailer weight - under 7000 lbs "wet" - should be okay for the truck, but I do want some add-ons to make things go easier (and safer).

 

So I thought I would ask the experts...

 

Load Equalizing Hitch:

 

• I've looked (online) at a few, but am thinking of having the trailer dealership install the one they stock - the "Eaz-Lift" - the ones with the chains and the separate sway-control device on the side (as opposed to the ones that incorporate sway control in the bars (no chains) - i.e. "Equalizer".
  
• Any thoughts?
  

Brake Controller:

 

 

• Again, I've looked at a few, but have no idea which are better.
  
• And are they a simple "plug and play" installation, or is there actual wiring to be installed.
  

 

Thanks in advance.

[pwall]

Hi Dwayne.

 

In regards to the hitch, I have heard good things about the 'Equalizer' but I have no expereience with it to comment.

I have however used several of the ones you mention. You definitley will want the sway-control. On a fine day you may not, but if the wind picks up, you'll be thank-ful to have it.

 

For a brake controller, I highly recommend the Podigy brake controller from Tekonsha. They're one of the best.

Installation isn't that hard, however, you will need to conntect two wires under the hood....one for the charging circuit for the trailer (so the truck will charge the trailer battery when the truck is on), and the other, more important, is the connection for the electric brakes. WIth this wire, even if a controller, you won't have brakes.

Why GM doesn't connect these wires to begin with is a mystery.

So a search on this forum for installing the brake controller, there are many different threads on this.

[music]

You'll probably be fine with a "chain type" WD hitch system for that size trailer. I personally used one with a 22 ft camper for a number of years, but now use a Reese Dual Cam with a 32 ft (both bumper-to-tongue lengths). The small one was maybe 5k lbs loaded, where the new one is just shy of 7k lbs loaded. The longer camper tows better with the Dual Cam than the 22 ft did with the "normal" hitch design, but that may have as much to do with the fact that the 32 ft has a higher tongue weight%. You would not regret paying the difference for the integrated sway control (Dual Cam or Equalizer type), but you may not "need" it. Personally, I'd go with the integrated system, but I think they're a better design and worth the cost.

 

edit: forgot... +1 on the Prodigy. *and* have fun camping!

[oldmann]

I have the hitch witht the non integrated sway control. Its fast to hook up and the only thing needed to "install" it is bolt a latch on the tongue. Its really straight forward if you look at a pic. As for brake controlls I've never used one over $100 and they work for me. I never tow more than 150 miles one way though. I tow a conventional 33' travel trailer with my gmt900 1500 sierra just fine. I just take it easy and let the trans do what it wants, including screaming the engine. The 5.3 loves it!

[GMCanuck]

...For a brake controller, I highly recommend the Podigy brake controller from Tekonsha. They're one of the best.

Installation isn't that hard, however, you will need to conntect two wires under the hood....one for the charging circuit for the trailer (so the truck will charge the trailer battery when the truck is on), and the other, more important, is the connection for the electric brakes. WIth this wire, even if a controller, you won't have brakes.

Why GM doesn't connect these wires to begin with is a mystery...

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Do these wiring comments still apply if the truck already has the tow package including the 7-pin connector on the bumper. I know the constant 12v power is back there (I've used it for my previous trailer). The one pin in the 7-pin is for electric brakes, but I have not looked at where the other end of this wire goes (assuming the pin is hooked up to something in the cab/engine compartment).

[tanked_darren]

The wiring is there under the dash, you have to hook a few wires up under the hood.

 

This will help you:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=68309&st=0

 

Actually wait, you have a different truck than mine, so maybe it won't help you......

[GMCanuck]

The wiring is there under the dash, you have to hook a few wires up under the hood.

 

This will help you:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=68309&st=0

 

Actually wait, you have a different truck than mine, so maybe it won't help you......

 

Thanks for the link, but it seems the link to the "Step by Step Instructions" is no longer working - at least not for me right now.

 

I realize my truck will likely be different, but it might be a good reference.

[tanked_darren]

From what I gather there IS a plug under the dash for a brake controller on your truck, and you WILL have to install a fuse somewhere.

 

On mine it has to be hardwired as they don't put plugs anymore...

[pwall]

I just realized that your have an '06. So I don't think connecting the wires under the hood applies.

But you will need to install a fuse for the charging circuit, which sounds like you already have since you've used it for a previous trailer.

I don't recall if the '06 had a connector under the dash (top left hand corner), remove the black cover. There is a wire-harness you will need that you connect the brake controller to and plug it in under the dash.

 

This is where the fuse goes btw:

 

I don't have a picture of the connector block under the dash, sorry.

[music]

A start: http://www.etrailer.com/faq-cbc.aspx

[Mossyoakglock]

I thought that the '06 trucks came with a harness in the glovebox for connecting a brake controller so you don't have to hardwire/splice any wires?

 

Maybe I'm thinking of a different model year.

[GMCanuck]

A start: http://www.etrailer.com/faq-cbc.aspx

 

Great link - exactly the way my truck looks. So it looks like it is pretty much "plug and play" - except for the actual set-up of the controller. Looks like I'l ltry and go with the Prodigy.

 

Now I just need to figure out which way to go with the weight distribution...

[502ci]

On my 06 Sierra I bought a harness that plugged right into the fuse block under the dash and the wires connected color for color to my brake controller which I mounted directly below my steering wheel under the dash, the wires were plenty long to make the joints/connections.

 

I bought a basic controller (can't remember the brand without running out to garage) that was overkill, it could control 4 axles if I wanted but I have only two. Seems to work quite well. As far as the weight distribution hitch I bought a "Curt Manufacturing" one rated for 10,000 lbs. with trunnion style bars. I do not use a sway control and never had a problem. I tow roughly 8,000 lbs. fully loaded.

 

[Blue2500CC]

Brake controller: I have a Draw Tite Activator model. It worked fine for me towing an '87 Yellowstone 25' tt. I removed it from the 2k Chevy when we bought the '10, but am looking at the Prodigy due to the "arm twisting" on here! Lol Seriously, I have read GREAT THINGS about the Prodigy.

 

Hitches: I also have a Reese Dual Cam sway control system, installed on the '87 Yellowstone (weighs about 5500lbs DRY), and I wouldn't buy anything else except MAYBE the Equal-i-zer system. As it was explained to me, a friction sway system only tries to slow the trailer from swaying once it has started. With the Dual Cam system, it is almost impossible for sway to start as long as the system is set up properly. Hooking up the Dual Cam system is just as easy (if not easier) than one with a friction sway controller since you hook up the chains just like any other Reese style hitch, but you don't have to install the sway control since it is part of the hitch system.

 

A buddy has the Equal-i-zer set up and has been very happy with that as well. I watched him hook i t up, and it seems just as easy as the Reese system.

 

Good luck!

Chris

[502ci]

That "etrailer.com" site is pretty decent I've purchased several items from them including the hidden brackets that my bars are hooked to under the V-nose.