Hi, about to buy a 16-18 ft car float.I have the factory tow package. Do I just buy a controller and plug it in ,and good to go ???What controler is the best. I will be hauling a toyota 4x4 truck can my reciever handle it? Never towed anything big before , thanks for any input.

 

Just go back a couple of pages on this form and you'l find several threads giving several suggestions and install help. This has been a hot topic lately

 

You should be good to plug in your brake controller and tow if your rig came with the factory tow package. The stock receiver will be fine for your needs. Do a search on brake controllers, you'll find TONS of info. From what I've noticed, the Brakesmart(expensive) seems to be the best thing out there closely followed by the Jordan then maybe the Prodigy as a distant third.

 

You should be good to plug in your brake controller and tow if your rig came with the factory tow package. The stock receiver will be fine for your needs. Do a search on brake controllers, you'll find TONS of info. From what I've noticed, the Brakesmart(expensive) seems to be the best thing out there closely followed by the Jordan then maybe the Prodigy as a distant third.

 

I'm no expert, but recently got an education on controllers. As I understand it, there are essentially three types...

Electronic/time based controllers use only the input from the truck's brake light switch. The maximum output can be adjusted, usually set just below what causes trailer brakes to lock up at 15 or 20 mph. A second adjustment controls how gradually or quickly the controller takes to ramp up to that level. Advantages are cheap, quick to set up. Disadvantages: Applies the brakes the same whether you are in a panic stop on the freeway, or easing up to a stop sign in town. I had one of these types, and what bugged me most was it would cut the brakes abruptly when you ease off the brakes while still moving.

Another type uses either an electronic acceleration sensor or a pendilum (sp?) to detect the truck's brakes decelerating the rig, then applies the trailer brakes in proportion. At least they make an effort to apply the brakes harder or easier depending upon what the truck is doing. A buddy of mine had one of these types, and it seemed to work fine except when on bumpy roads. It seemed to react to bumps with a surge to the trailer brakes, and the trailer would slam back and forth against the hitch. My other concern, though I don't know if it actually happens, I wonder if in slick conditions if the tow vehicle's brakes alone would generate enough deceleration to activate the trailer brakes.

The third type read application of the tow vehicle's brakes directly, and apply the trailer brakes in proportion. Some use a pressure transducer that T's into the tow vehicle's system (Brakesmart) and others use a linkage that attaches to the brake pedal. To me, this makes the most sense.

Sorry about the long post, but I wish someone would have explained this to me when I first bought a controller. Would have saved me from buying two, as I bought a timer type one on someone's advice (now in classified) and later bought a brakesmart.