Trailer Brakes

[blacklab]

Hey all, I'm wondering what you use or recommend for a brake controller for a 2009 silverado 1/2 ton. It's only going to tow a 18-21 ft travel trailer. Been doing a little research and Tekonsha prodigy-3 has a lot of bells and whistles to do the job. Just not sure if I want to spend $140. So lets here the ideas and thoughts  

Thanks
Blacklab
Alais
Mike

 

[meateater]

What's the weight of the trailer? Seems a lot of trailer for a little truck. $140.00 is not alot of money to stay alive.  That's just me. Post some pics.

 

[pineywoods]

Looks like its getting good reviews.I have an older model Tekonsha and it works good and the new model is supposed to be even better so I'd go for it. I think mine was about that price when I bought it and personally I'd rather spend the money to get a good one then to save a few bucks and settle for a lesser quality on something that important

 

[blacklab]

Thanks for the imput guys.
I went a head and pulled the trigger and got the prodigy 3. It's more controller than I need and that's okay. Since I only have to buy it once 

. Now I need a trailer 

 

 

 

[solaryellow]

What's the weight of the trailer? Seems a lot of trailer for a little truck. $140.00 is not alot of money to stay alive.  That's just me. Post some pics.

Ditto. I can smell burning transmission already.
 

 

[pit 4 brains]

This is a subject that needs more attention when deciding to buy a trailer. I'm not assuming you have no experience so please don't take this personally. I have seen sooooo many accidents here in AZ that were the direct result of improper GCWR, poor or lack of brakes and just plain stupidity.

You have to think of the worst case scenario, i.e., I have my camper loaded with fresh water, cast iron pots, food, propane, etc. and we head up a 6.5% grade. The truck pulls the trailer just fine, about 35 MPH all the way to the top. Now we crest the hill and decend. Ohh my gosh!, there's another 3.5 miles of 6.5% on the other side! Can I keep this vehicle at 35MPH? That's what I climbed this hill at.

1. Can you stop that rig on the downhill in 200% of the stopping distance you can do on a 0 grade?

2. Can you safely steer the vehicle while applying heavy brakes? Trailers tend to get tongue heavy when thier brakes are active, making your front end lighter.

3. What if I get a blowout on the way down? Trailer brakes do not cool trailer tires which are horrible to begin with. You had better plan on stopping with 50% of your trailer brakes.

Tekonsha is a very good brand of brake controllers. Please be sure to have it professionally installed and properly adjusted. When you finally decide on a trailer, make sure it tows level with the truck and is well within (when the truck and trailer is loaded) the towing capacity of the truck.

Don't forget the q view...

BTW, this setup is NOT level..

 

[chefrob]

great info........i just got an f350 and have never towed a big trailer.

 

This is a subject that needs more attention when deciding to buy a trailer. I'm not assuming you have no experience so please don't take this personally. I have seen sooooo many accidents here in AZ that were the direct result of improper GVWR, poor or lack of brakes and just plain stupidity.

You have to think of the worst case scenario, i.e., I have my camper loaded with fresh water, cast iron pots, food, propane, etc. and we head up a 6.5% grade. The truck pulls the trailer just fine, about 35 MPH all the way to the top. Now we crest the hill and decend. Ohh my gosh!, there's another 3.5 miles of 6.5% on the other side! Can I keep this vehicle at 35MPH? That's what I climbed this hill at.

1. Can you stop that rig on the downhill in 200% of the stopping distance you can do on a 0 grade?

2. Can you safely steer the vehicle while applying heavy brakes? Trailers tend to get tongue heavy when thier brakes are active, making your front end lighter.

3. What if I get a blowout on the way down? Trailer brakes do not cool trailer tires which are horrible to begin with. You had better plan on stopping with 50% of your trailer brakes.

Tekonsha is a very good brand of brake controllers. Please be sure to have it professionally installed and properly adjusted. When you finally decide on a trailer, make sure it tows level with the truck and is well within (when the truck and trailer is loaded) the towing capacity of the truck.

Don't forget the q view...

BTW, this setup is NOT level..

 

[pineywoods]

The tow rating on that 1/2 ton truck should be plenty for an 18-21 ft travel trailer.

Rob congrats on the new truck they are great trucks did you get the dually or single rear wheel? Diesel?

 

[solaryellow]

I was going to respectfully disagree with ya Jerry so I looked up some newer travel trailers and was shocked to see how light those things are. A 1/2 ton should indeed be able to pull that without any problem.

 

[pineywoods]

Shocking how light they are anymore isn't it

 

[chefrob]

Rob congrats on the new truck they are great trucks did you get the dually or single rear wheel? Diesel?

thx, it's an '06 swb 4dr lariat FX4 6.0 PSD but in great shape, the one with training wheels sold out from under me but that prolly was a good thing........this one has every bell and almost every whistle.
 

 

[pit 4 brains]

 i just got an f350 and have never towed a big trailer.
 

 You gotta stop Strokin and start a  Cummins.. six-in-a-row makes it tow! Congrats on the diesel, gotta love 'em.

 

[chefrob]

 You gotta stop Strokin and start a  Cummins.. six-in-a-row makes it tow! Congrats on the diesel, gotta love 'em.

LOL.......i'm just glad i could get into a nice truck. my f250 gasser was stolen 2 months ago and recovered 2 days before they were going to write it off. i've been fighting the insurance co. every since.....i made them go out 3x's to resubmit my claim. i've been working with a great gal @ 5star ford to help me get that thing totaled. i think as of friday it is going to work out for me.........it better, or i'll be stuck with 2 trucks and no job!

btw i did look at the dodges as well as gmc but they just didn't do anything for me.

 

 

[pineywoods]

thx, it's an '06 swb 4dr lariat FX4 6.0 PSD but in great shape, the one with training wheels sold out from under me but that prolly was a good thing........this one has every bell and almost every whistle.
 

Nice truck I have a 6.0 F350 dually crew cab FX4 lariat and pull quite often and it does a great job. I have mine set up for a gooseneck or 5th wheel as I own both along with a couple bumper pull trailers

 

[pit 4 brains]

  i did look at the dodges as well as gmc but they just didn't do anything for me.

 

 Me either... I bought the engine, the truck came with it..

 

[solaryellow]

Meh. You oil burners can have your higher priced diesel. I am happy with my lil 3/4 ton gasser than can outpull a stock Cummins up Fancy Gap.

 

[solaryellow]

Shocking how light they are anymore isn't it

I was expecting to see a 6 or 7,000 lbs unladen weight. My Heep on my 20ft trailer is 6500 lbs. It is hard to fathom that a fully outfitted travel trailer is half that.

 

 

[chefrob]

Nice truck I have a 6.0 F350 dually crew cab FX4 lariat and pull quite often and it does a great job. I have mine set up for a gooseneck or 5th wheel as I own both along with a couple bumper pull trailers

LOL!........i just missed out on a black one same set up as your's that came from FL.
 

the 250 is on the right and here is my new one...............

 

 

[blacklab]

Hey guys thanks for the imput and concerns. My 1/2 ton pickup sports the little vortec 5.3 v8  with a maxium trailer weight of 7,500 and a GCWR of 13,000. I'm good to go on that end since I know I don't want or need anything bigger than a 21 footer. The prodigy will easy since it's already has the wirring for it I just have to connect them. The hardest thing is waiting for the prodigy