23 replies to this topic

[manthony121]

I have a track Miata and a 24 foot enclosed trailer, but no tow vehicle.  I live about 20 miles from the track where I will be doing pretty much ALL my driving this year.  I have looked into renting a Uhaul pickup truck for towing my rig on race weekends.  They rent GMC Silverados, with a towing capacity of 6000 lbs.  The issue is that they only have a flat, 4 prong connector, with no brake controller.  My hauler has a 7 prong plug.  So my choices are to tow without a brake controller, OR temporarily wire in a brake controller, OR none of the above.  I don't know what year the Silverados are likely to be, but I have seen brake controller adapters that plug right into a junction box under the dash.  Sounds pretty easy.  Then I have to run a wire to the 4 to 7 plug adapter plug on the back bumper.  I might possibly also have to tap into the fuse box under the hood.

 

So, is it worth the aggravation to put in a temporary brake controller?  Since I don't have far or long to travel, and all at low speeds (no highway between me and my track), would it be OK to just drive, slowly and carefully, without a controller?

[Bench Racer]

DON'T tow a trailer without trailer brakes.

[Michael Novak]

Tekonsha   wireless brake controller..    EXACTLY what you need.  I have run for a couple years on my motorhome and it has worked perfectly. You will just need a basic 4 wire to 7 adapter..  

 

 

 

 

Utilize for rental businesses, fleet ownerships or multiple tow vehicles. Requires no leveling.

Remote Hand Held Unit

• No under dash wiring necessary, utilizes wireless communication.
• The original Boost feature allows for different levels of customized braking.
• System runs continual diagnostics and displays fault codes in hand held units display.
• Plugs into standard 12-volt power accessory adapter.
• 5 year limited warranty.

Trailer Mount Power Module Unit

• Utilizes standard sealed 8 foot blade style 7-way connector.
• Multiple mounting positions on tongue or front of trailer.
• 15 year limited warranty on power module.
• 1 year limited warranty on cord.

If you take to the road with multiple vehicles, there is really only one solution PRODIGY® RF. Consider all it offers

• User does not need a dash mounted, hard wired brake control.
• True proportional trailer braking, forward or reverse.
• Trailer braking power supplied via 7-Way Connector from the vehicle.
• Suitable for use on any trailer with up to 3 braking axles.

In the Tow Vehicle Hand Held unit

• Wireless communication between the remote hand unit and trailer mounted power module eliminates the need for under dash wiring.
• Easy to see LED display for trailer brake voltage, power output and diagnostics.
• Easy to use remote hand control - includes the Prodigy® Boost system to allow for different levels of customized braking.
• Unit provides continual diagnostic scanning with a visual warning display.
• Hand held unit plugs into any standard 12 volt power accessory adaptor.
• Hand held unit has a 5-year limited warranty.

On the Trailer Power Module Unit

• Power module uses standard RV Blade style Bargman 7-Way truck and trailer connectors.
• Trailer Power Module is watertight and is powered through 7-Way cable from the tow vehicle.
• Multiple mounting options on the tongue or front of the trailer.
• Trailer mounted power module has a 15-year limited warranty, 1-year limited warranty on cord.

[Erik Hardy]

Highway or not doesn't stop people from making a drastic left run in front of you.

 

It's difficult to push on a rope. 

[steveracer]

Your trailer weighs more than the truck is rated for...

 

I bet if you look around, you can find a rental company that rents trucks set up for towing. A lot can go wrong in 20 miles with inadequate braking, and you'll be entirely liable for everything.

[manthony121]

Your trailer weighs more than the truck is rated for...

 

I bet if you look around, you can find a rental company that rents trucks set up for towing. A lot can go wrong in 20 miles with inadequate braking, and you'll be entirely liable for everything.

The trailer weighs about 3000 lbs empty, and the car should be about 2000, so I'm within weight for the combo.  I haven't actually weighed either one, but that is what the specs say.  Even allowing for some extra tires, fuel, tools, etc, I should be within the 6000 lb rating.

 

I've seen some places (Budget, Enterprise, Penske truck) that rent larger trucks, but they charge 10 times more than a Uhaul.

[manthony121]

 

Tekonsha   wireless brake controller..    EXACTLY what you need.  I have run for a couple years on my motorhome and it has worked perfectly. You will just need a basic 4 wire to 7 adapter..  

 

 

 

 

Utilize for rental businesses, fleet ownerships or multiple tow vehicles. Requires no leveling.

Remote Hand Held Unit

• No under dash wiring necessary, utilizes wireless communication.
• The original Boost feature allows for different levels of customized braking.
• System runs continual diagnostics and displays fault codes in hand held units display.
• Plugs into standard 12-volt power accessory adapter.
• 5 year limited warranty.

Trailer Mount Power Module Unit

• Utilizes standard sealed 8 foot blade style 7-way connector.
• Multiple mounting positions on tongue or front of trailer.
• 15 year limited warranty on power module.
• 1 year limited warranty on cord.

If you take to the road with multiple vehicles, there is really only one solution PRODIGY® RF. Consider all it offers

• User does not need a dash mounted, hard wired brake control.
• True proportional trailer braking, forward or reverse.
• Trailer braking power supplied via 7-Way Connector from the vehicle.
• Suitable for use on any trailer with up to 3 braking axles.

In the Tow Vehicle Hand Held unit

• Wireless communication between the remote hand unit and trailer mounted power module eliminates the need for under dash wiring.
• Easy to see LED display for trailer brake voltage, power output and diagnostics.
• Easy to use remote hand control - includes the Prodigy® Boost system to allow for different levels of customized braking.
• Unit provides continual diagnostic scanning with a visual warning display.
• Hand held unit plugs into any standard 12 volt power accessory adaptor.
• Hand held unit has a 5-year limited warranty.

On the Trailer Power Module Unit

• Power module uses standard RV Blade style Bargman 7-Way truck and trailer connectors.
• Trailer Power Module is watertight and is powered through 7-Way cable from the tow vehicle.
• Multiple mounting options on the tongue or front of the trailer.
• Trailer mounted power module has a 15-year limited warranty, 1-year limited warranty on cord.

 

I did some research on the Tekonsha Prodigy RF.  It looks like a good product.  I would need to install a 30 or 40 amp fuse/circuit breaker on the battery, and run a 10 gauge wire from that to the 4 -> 7 plug adapter.  That would be the only modifications to the truck, correct?  The controller itself generates the signal to activate the trailer brakes, using the info coming from the 4 prong plug plus the 12 volt line.

[Mark]

Don't guess. Get it weighed. The published trailer specs can be notoriously optimistic. Mine was only 1300lbs over the published weight so they were not too far off . Also keep in mind that the police and insurance companies don't care what the trailer and tow vehicle actually weighs. They look at the sticker for the GVWR of the trailer and that is the number. It doesn't matter if trailer is empty or loaded the sticker is what counts. 

 

I really like the Prodigy controller. I haven't used the RF version but they get good reviews. You may be able to purchase a brake controller installation kit to make life simple. 

[FTodaro]

Don't guess. Get it weighed. The published trailer specs can be notoriously optimistic. Mine was only 1300lbs over the published weight so they were not too far off . Also keep in mind that the police and insurance companies don't care what the trailer and tow vehicle actually weighs. They look at the sticker for the GVWR of the trailer and that is the number. It doesn't matter if trailer is empty or loaded the sticker is what counts. 

 

I really like the Prodigy controller. I haven't used the RF version but they get good reviews. You may be able to purchase a brake controller installation kit to make life simple. 

When i outfitted my MH with a controller, I looked at Mikes unit, I went with the traditional controller, you want to make sure that there is room on the tongue to mount the controller box.  I know on the standard controller, you need one wire to power the brakes with a relay  and one for the controller signal. E Trailer has good instructions to explain the process and what kit you need. I can't recall exactly but i was going from a 4 wire set up to a 7 wire set up. 

 

There is a kit you can buy to make the conversion 4 wire to 7 , its easy and cheap. Just like my Dates, when i was single.

 

On the towing at or over capacity, you are taking Risk. Its all about stopping the vehicle in a panic. Upgrade the brakes in the tow vehicle. I put Hawk pads on my Truck it made a difference.

[Bench Racer]

The trailer weighs about 3000 lbs empty, and the car should be about 2000, so I'm within weight for the combo.  I haven't actually weighed either one, but that is what the specs say.  Even allowing for some extra tires, fuel, tools, etc, I should be within the 6000 lb rating.

 

Playing the devils advocate, presume your tow vehicle weighs 4,000 pounds added to your 6,000 pound trailer, great according to your tow vehicle capacity you can PULL the 10,000 pound total weigh. Does it say anywhere the brake system in your tow vehicle is designed to STOP a 10,000 pound load? Make the situation worse, your traveling 35 mph on a rain wet street, do you believe your four tired tow vehicle tire coefficient of friction will safely stop a 10,000 pound load?

 

Last summer my brake controller took a $hit during my 100 mile trip to the track. Ford Ranger, tandem axle open trailer, with electric brakes and Spec Miata. Scared the $hit out of me every time the brakes were applied, the trailer kept pushing the tow vehicle at will. 

[callumhay]

If you are going to take your trailer on the road with a U haul truck,  the wireless system seems your best option. BUT I would check with U haul first (like go to the place and talk to the manager) as they typically ask if you are going to haul something with their trucks. You may be put in a situation where they do not accept what you are doing because it doesn't fit with their view of how they want their equipment used. So if you don't tell them you are going to tow and there is an accident...then it could just cloud the whole issue when it comes to liability.

 

I ran in to a similar situation as you before I bought my tow vehicle. In Florida, any trailer/cargo over 3000 lbs had to have a trailer brake. It changes from state to state and you can check on the NY DOT site. I tried renting a U haul with a brake controller hook up that I could use and it was a total cluster, the 7 pin attachment was not wired in on the truck so even hooking my controller up was meaningless. There was no support from U haul on remedying the situation..it just was not part of what they did...at least in my rental situation 

 

If you are going to use U haul, consider renting their truck with their trailer (or tow dolly) and leave your trailer at home. You can throw all gear in the truck and if you need shade, take a canopy.

 

I rented their car hauler one time and it was difficult to get a SM on the trailer due to clearance on the underside of the car. Their haulers tend to have a lip on each side of the trailer decks  (presumably to stop people driving off) which was difficult to deal with (hitting underside of the car).. If I were to do it again, on a short trip , a tow dolly may be the way to go..definitely cheaper and on a short trip probably not bad on the car. (maybe we can start a discussion on the need to disconnect the drive shaft with a Miata on a tow dolly....)

 

Safety is number one... on and off the track and with that, comes liability. Whenever I am towing, I want to be 100% compliant...and more whenever I can.

 

Cal

[tom1977]

I have worked in trailer/truck industry... I cannot recommend towing any enclosed trailer of that weight and size with 1/2 ton pick up. (I imagine that uhaul rents that size given the 6K capacity) if you must rent that truck, use a flatbed of less weight setup by uhaul. Otherwise get access to a 3/4 ton with class 4 hitch setup. My wife and child thank you for the safety

[Tom Sager]

You might look at Enterprise Rent A Truck or Penske.  I rented from Enterprise once an F-250 with tow package and it was plug-n-play with the trailer.  

[pitbull113]

I towed my 24ft enclosed with a '11 Silverado 1500 many times without brakes. I did not die nor anyone around me.

[manthony121]

I towed my 24ft enclosed with a '11 Silverado 1500 many times without brakes. I did not die nor anyone around me.

Interesting.  Did you notice that your braking distances were much longer than usual?  I assume you had a miata in the trailer?  How much additional weight, such as tires, fuel jugs, etc?

 

At this point, I'm leaning toward either borrowing a 3/4 ton truck with brake controller from a friend, or renting a 1/2 pickup plus car trailer from Uhaul.  I may have to lay down some 2x6s if the car doesn't have enough ground clearance to fit on the trailer.

[pitbull113]

Yes braking distance was increased.  But not a crazy amount. I forgot what my full trailer weight was. 8K give or take. Don't get me wrong I'm happier now that the trailer brakes are working but I'd also tow without them if I had to. Keep in mind I also live in Florida. No elevation changes.

[tom1977]

Please reread my original post and stay safe. Weird situations arise on the highway, be prepared for it!

[manthony121]

Yes braking distance was increased.  But not a crazy amount. I forgot what my full trailer weight was. 8K give or take. Don't get me wrong I'm happier now that the trailer brakes are working but I'd also tow without them if I had to. Keep in mind I also live in Florida. No elevation changes.

Good point about the elevation changes.  The area around the Glen is pretty hilly.

[dstevens]

The pickups and vans at your local UHaul are typically owned by the local franchisee and not part of the one way pool.  I rent vans a few times a month.  When I discussed pulling my trailer with their pickup it wasn't allowed.  I have done it though.  They definitely will not allow you to modify the truck even temporarily to add a brake controller.  With a 24' enclosed, the car and tools you'll be closer to 8k than 6k.

[manthony121]

The pickups and vans at your local UHaul are typically owned by the local franchisee and not part of the one way pool.  I rent vans a few times a month.  When I discussed pulling my trailer with their pickup it wasn't allowed.  I have done it though.  They definitely will not allow you to modify the truck even temporarily to add a brake controller.  With a 24' enclosed, the car and tools you'll be closer to 8k than 6k.

Michael Novak, earlier in this thread, pointed me to a wireless brake controller.  All it needs is a 12 volt wire to the trailer, in addition to the connections available with the 4 prong flat connector.  It looks like it would take about 10 minutes to install/remove such a line, and the Uhaul folks would be none the wiser.  Assuming, of course, that I brought their truck back in one piece.  At this point, however, I'm listing that as one of the least likely options.  A better choice, I think, is just renting one of Uhaul's open car trailers, and using that.