I just bought my truck back in Nov. Bought it with the plan to purchase a Travel trailer down the road. I was given a good price on a 30' Travel trailer. Regular bumper pull. Approx 6,000 pounds loaded. Since I have never towed anything I don't want to decide on purchasing one and get hammered on stuff I am told my truck needs. From reading previous posts am I to understand I should buy a new hitch and replace the factory one, whats the differnce? What about brake controller, not a clue on this one? What else would I need and the approx costs this will cost me.

 

If your new trailer is a bumper pull, I would suggest getting an equalizing hitch to take some of the weight off the ball. My preference for a controller is a Prodigy as it automatically sets itself for level and has 3 preset Boost levels that determine how hard the brakes come on initially. At 6,000lbs, you probably do not need to consider air bags yet.

 

At that size range, a weight distributing hitch would probably work fine with the factory tow package. If it's a used trailer, perhaps there is a weight distributing hitch that will come with it. If new, perhaps the dealer can be talked into including one.

As far as brake controllers go, two read application of the truck's brakes. Brakesmart uses a solid state pressure transducer to read brake fluid pressure. It doesn't displace fluid so it works with anti-lock systems. The other is the Jordan Ultima, which uses a linkage to measure brake pedal movement. The Brakesmart is expensive, but there is no linkage to mess with. Both are generally considered smoother than deceleration/inertia proportional controllers.

The Technocia Prodegy seems to be widely considered the best of the inertia sensing controllers. Basically they measure the deceleration force generated by the truck's brakes, and apply trailer brake in proportion to that force.

Below that are what are called timer based controllers. Their only input is that the tow vehicle's brake light switch is on. You adjust the maximum trailer braking they will put out (usually set to just below what will lock the brakes at 10-15 miles per hour), and you adjust how quickly it will ramp up to that level. Obviously the disadvantage is that they apply the brakes the same unless you change the adjustment. Braking that will lock the tires at in-town speed will be too little trailer braking in a panic stop at freeway speed. I would recommend that you don't even consider any of the timer type.

I guess bottom line- weight distributing hitch system on the trailer, and a brake controller. Generally threads here list Brakesmart, Jordan and Prodegy as the 3 best, in that order.

P.S. Is the travel trailer new? If not, make sure the wheel bearings get repacked (new seals) and brakes are checked, cleaned and adjusted. Tires at about 6 years old should be replaced regardless of how they look...

Have fun.

 

If you've got the tow package with the factory receiver hitch you've got plenty of hitch for that job. Since it's a 2500 you should be good as far as spring capacity, etc. I've got a 4-horse bumper-pull that weighs 3200 without a load and my '05 handles it with 4 horses loaded up.

 

At only 6000 lbs. you really dont need anything but a brake contoler. Your way below what the truck and hitch are rated for. Try and make sure your loaded evenly and keep the tounge weight where it needs to be and you should be fine.
Joe

 

I agree with Mule... Get the brake controller and check the tongue weight... Keep it at about 500 - 700 lbs and you should be fine. That should level the truck out.

 

I pull a loaded 10-11K toyhauler on the bumper with a WD hitch.
You probably won't need one, but they are nice.
Is the trailer tongue 2" or 2 5/16"?

I have a CT WD 2 5/16" with a Reese sway bar. Entire setup will set you back about $500. Dealer through mine in for free.
I have a Prodigy brake controller. Love it. $100.

You will have to have a brake contoller if you want trailer brakes. Required by law in most states for trailers over 5K.

 

It will be a new trailer if I get it. Thanks for all the replies. I've been researching a lot of stuff last couple of days. I think I know what all I need now.

Thanks again....

 

I guess I missed the part about it only weighing about 6k loaded. At 30' I figured it would be between 8-9 loaded and with water.

I suppose at 6k I'd put a weight distributing hitch in the nice to have, but not manditory range. If the dealer won't throw one in, I'd see how it handles first.

A brake controller would be an absolute must, though. For something that light the prodegy would probably make sense, as they are inexpensive and you don't have to mess with linkages or sensors...

 

What's the 3rd gen receiver rated for? My 2nd gen is 5000 lbs trailer weight/500 tongue weight without weight distribution and 10000 lbs trailer weight/1000 tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch.

Depending on your tongue weight and the aerodynamics of the trailer, you may find that you may need a hitch with sway control as well.

Rusty

 

6000 lbs will be nothing for your truck, you won't even know it's back there. That's good though, better too much truck than too much trailer!

(Don't bother replacing the factory hitch, I regularly pull 10K with mine no problem. I'd say a weight dist. hitch is optional, but highly recommended.)

 

IIRC the Jordan is currently unavailable...

 

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I have learned a lot from this site. We ended up buying a larger more expensive Travel trailer when the wife learned we could tow more. We are looking forward to a fun summer. Bought a 2007 Forest River "Sandpiper" Travel Trailer. With Weight Dist. Hitch and sway bars. Pick it on on 3/4/07.

Thanks again.

 

Congrats on the new trailer. See you around Texas.

 

I also have a Forest River (Wildwood) 31 ft. super silde, with weight dist. Hitch and sway bars I usually dont use the sway, I found my rig hauls better w/out it. The one thing I found that makes the biggest differecne is DONT LET THE WIFE LOAD THE CAMPER, all the stuff ends up in the front!! Tounge weight must bout 5000 pounds!! HAHAHA! Enjoy it! We love ours.