Trailer Break Controllers

[DoWhat]

What type would you recommend?
Time delay or Proportional?

Would be for a 2 horse trailer.
I am guessing total weight around 4500 lbs.
Trailer = 2500 lbs. (avg.) have not yet purchased
2 Horses = 2000 lbs (avg.)

Pulling with a Chevy Silverado 5.3L Z71 & towing package
GCWR of 13,000 lbs. and a gear ratio of 3.73
GVWR = 6400

Do I even need the trailer to have breaks?

 

[DoWhat]

What type would you recommend?
Time delay or Proportional?

Would be for a 2 horse trailer.
I am guessing total weight around 4500 lbs.
Trailer = 2500 lbs. (avg.) have not yet purchased
2 Horses = 2000 lbs (avg.)

Pulling with a Chevy Silverado 5.3L Z71 & towing package
GCWR of 13,000 lbs. and a gear ratio of 3.73
GVWR = 6400

Do I even need the trailer to have breaks?

HELLO TRAILER PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ken King]

Talked with a guy up the road that hauls horses and he said proportional is the way to go as the unit senses the tow vehicle deceleration and applies breaking accordingly.

 

[DoWhat]

Talked with a guy up the road that hauls horses and he said proportional is the way to go as the unit senses the tow vehicle deceleration and applies breaking accordingly.

Damn it.
They look like they are more complicated to install.

 

[desertrat]

HELLO TRAILER PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I towed about a 4000 pound boat and trailer with a small Nissan 4x4 and didn't have trailer brakes. It was never a far haul though and no mountains involved. Probably would have been trouble if I had to stop quick.

 

[Ken King]

I towed about a 4000 pound boat and trailer with a small Nissan 4x4 and didn't have trailer brakes. It was never a far haul though and no mountains involved. Probably would have been trouble if I had to stop quick.

Around here nothing is close by and no flat land is involved.

 

[DoWhat]

Around here nothing is close by and no flat land is involved.

All she wants to do is travel to local horse trail rides. I think.

But she has to use MY truck.

 

[desertrat]

Around here nothing is close by and no flat land is involved.

Probably not a lot of 22 foot cuddy cabin boats either.

 

[Ken King]

Probably not a lot of 22 foot cuddy cabin boats either.

Actually you would be surprised, there are quite a few larger boats in the area with all the Army Corps of Engineer lakes around here.

 

[struggler44]

Here's what I have, easy enough. You probably have a hookup under your dash already.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...=X&ei=IDGyUdjUCvLH4AP9t4G4BA&ved=0CIABEPMCMAI

 

[TimTheToolMan]

I just installed one on a 1994 F-250. It's not as complex as it seems. The one I use is a Prodigy, and it is highly recommended by most trailer towers. I would definitely install a controller for the trailer brakes. I believe in Maryland any trailer rated over 3,000 lbs must have brakes.

 

[Ken King]

Dowhat, here is a comparison on the types and how they differentiate - Trailer Brake Controller Information | etrailer.com

 

[DoWhat]

Dowhat, here is a comparison on the types and how they differentiate - Trailer Brake Controller Information | etrailer.com

Thanks Ken.

 

[DoWhat]

Here's what I have, easy enough. You probably have a hookup under your dash already.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...=X&ei=IDGyUdjUCvLH4AP9t4G4BA&ved=0CIABEPMCMAI

Thanks struggler44.
I did find the conjunction box for the plug in on my truck under the dash.
I have the round 7-pin connection on the rear bumper outlet.

Another question:
When you have it hooked up, how the hell do you know it is actually working before you get on the road?

 

[struggler44]

Thanks struggler44.
I did find the conjunction box for the plug in on my truck under the dash.
I have the round 7-pin connection on the rear bumper outlet.

Another question:
When you have it hooked up, how the hell do you know it is actually working before you get on the road?

It'll tell you how to set it up, the LED display will tell you how much power is being applied and whether or not a trailer is hooked up before you even move. I have a older Draw Tite you can have if you want it, will have to get a Chevy adapter though

 

[struggler44]

You should of had a plug in the glove compartment when you got the truck if it was new so you could wire any controller to your wire tap

 

[Chris0nllyn]

I know my buddy's car hauler has a piston thingy near the tounge of the trailer.

When you slow down, the piston pushes forward (using the momentum of the trailer), and that applies the brakes.

It workes great, and there's no need to wire up a controller.

A few things though.

1). Stopping with no load is an art form. Do it too fast and the brakes lock up.
2). I don't know if they make that type fo trailer for horses.

 

[DoWhat]

You should of had a plug in the glove compartment when you got the truck if it was new so you could wire any controller to your wire tap

I found the compartment on the left underside of the dash.
Kind of like this video. Nothing in the glove box.

 

[DoWhat]

It'll tell you how to set it up, the LED display will tell you how much power is being applied and whether or not a trailer is hooked up before you even move. I have a older Draw Tite you can have if you want it, will have to get a Chevy adapter though

I want to know that the brakes are actually working on the trailer.
Can you feel it while driving the vehicle and hitting the breaks?
I have never dealt with this.

How do you actually know the brakes are engaging?

 

[GWguy]

I want to know that the brakes are actually working on the trailer.
Can you feel it while driving the vehicle and hitting the breaks?
I have never dealt with this.

How do you actually know the brakes are engaging?

If they are electric brakes, you can hear them. Tap your brake pedal while sitting still and you will hear them engage. Some are pretty loud.

On the road, you will feel them engage. Pretty obvious.