Towing a 7000 lb travel trailer

mtofell · 12-06-2006, 03:09 PM

I'm looking at getting a mid/large travel trailer and am wondering about the braking... do I have to have trailer brakes with something that big? Do trailers that big come with them? Is my Titan pre-wired at all for a separate control?

Unless it's just totally unheard of I don't have a problem using the truck breaks. This truck has such a great ability to control the speed with the 5spd tranny that I'm thinking I'd be okay.... or is this just crazy?

[SC]Titan · 12-06-2006, 03:12 PM

I'm not an expert on towing by any means but I would say with a 7k weight I would suggest brakes on the trailer...if nothing else, it will be less wear and tear on the titan by having them

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 12-06-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtofell

I'm looking at getting a mid/large travel trailer and am wondering about the braking... do I have to have trailer brakes with something that big? Do trailers that big come with them? Is my Titan pre-wired at all for a separate control?

Unless it's just totally unheard of I don't have a problem using the truck breaks. This truck has such a great ability to control the speed with the 5spd tranny that I'm thinking I'd be okay.... or is this just crazy?

On man..now you're in my neck of the woods!...lol. Yes, they'll come with trailer brakes. Your truck just wouldn't stop it...think about it...a 5k LB truck would be pushed by a 7k LB trailer otherwise.
Nowadays, they usually have brakes on both axles and are electricly run by your trucks trailer harness and brake controller. Properly set up, you should be able to stop damn close to the distance your truck stop w/o the trailer. You have to have the Tow package and have a brake controller installed. Hope that helps.

tnbowhunter · 12-06-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

On man..now you're in my neck of the woods!...lol. Yes, they'll come with trailer brakes. Your truck just wouldn't stop it...think about it...a 5k LB truck would be pushed by a 7k LB trailer otherwise.
Nowadays, they usually have brakes on both axles and are electricly run by your trucks trailer harness and brake controller. Properly set up, you should be able to stop damn close to the distance your truck stop w/o the trailer. You have to have the Tow package and have a brake controller installed. Hope that helps.

I totally agree!! With that much trailer weight it would be mandatory for it to have brakes.

ambiguousanomaly · 12-06-2006, 04:35 PM

any trailer over 3K should have trailer brakes for safety. I believe there is a legal weight limit to go along with that state to state. Titan brakes are good but not THAT good.

kartman · 12-06-2006, 04:47 PM

I have towed 6k with no trailer brakes. The truck handled it but I didnt like it much.

krh2 · 12-06-2006, 04:54 PM

I tow a 25' Aljo TT. 5300 lbs dry. Bought the Prodigy brake controller and Nissan wiring harness for around $140. Controller is outstanding I highly recommend it for when you get your trailer.

**RobKar** · 12-06-2006, 05:07 PM

Also my neck of the woods. My TT fully loaded is over 8,000 and I would not tow over 3,000 without brakes. Advice don’t do it and think about your Family.

You will also need a Weigh Distribution hitch to take some of the weight off the back and put it towards the front of your truck. Don’t forget sway control for a TT over 25ft. It really helps.

I have used many but the Prodigy brake controller is the best for electric brakes. But Electric over Hydraulic type is the best.

With ~ 7,000 LBS you could also go with some airbags to make the ride better. I have them and they are great (not needed but they work great)

Hope this helps

krh2 · 12-06-2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobKar

Also my neck of the woods. My TT fully loaded is over 8,000 and I would not tow over 3,000 without brakes. Advice don’t do it and think about your Family.

You will also need a Weigh Distribution hitch to take some of the weight off the back and put it towards the front of your truck. Don’t forget sway control for a TT over 25ft. It really helps.

I have used many but the Prodigy brake controller is the best for electric brakes. But Electric over Hydraulic type is the best.

With ~ 7,000 LBS you could also go with some airbags to make the ride better. I have them and they are great (not needed but they work great)

Hope this helps

Yep, forgot that. You gotta have a WD hitch. Air bags are nice so you get no sag. Even with the WD hitch my rear was 1" lower than the front no big deal but was not pleasing to the eye. Got me some air ride air bags like the ones in the link below. Nice. Also I could go on and on with towing/tranny tips. So if you have any specific questions just ask.

Airbag link

krh2 · 12-06-2006, 08:02 PM

Here's a pic of my set up. Taken on my last trip to Anza Borrego for an offroad meet with my wife's Frontier friends.

mtofell · 12-06-2006, 09:10 PM

Thanks for all the info guys.... I will definitely go with trailer brakes.... I talked to a friend who wasn't sure if they were needed and/or if the trailers had them so that is why I was even asking... now that I really think about how much weight we're talking about there's no question.

Considering how much I spent on the truck, how much I am going to spend on the trailer and how improtant all the safety stuff is, I will go all out and get the stuff to do it right.... I'm kind of a nut that way.... I can't stand doing something like this half-way. I like the sound of the bags that make the truck sit level... I really dislike the look of a truck with a saggy rear end.

Can the dealer do all this for me and how much of a premium am I going to pay if they do? Any ballpark guesses as to how much it will cost for the full setup?

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 12-06-2006, 09:13 PM

Air bags aren't needed unless maybe you got that leveling kit that takes out the needed rake. As long as you keep the tongue weight within spec, you're fine. A WD hitch and sway control are needed and are usually installed by the camper dealer when you buy a travel trailer. Our TT is about 8500 LBS loaded with a tongue weight just over 900 LBS. It tows great. But do listen to every bit of advise because even if theirs something you don't need, having it may make towing easier and more safe.

**Carbeaux** · 12-06-2006, 09:18 PM

But if you do get the air bags, they're only 175 shipped from here:http://www.prgproducts.com/titan_rear.php

Same brand.

krh2 · 12-06-2006, 09:27 PM

Go to www.rv.net or any other rv forum there is a wealth of knowledge on those boards. I bought my trailer 6 months ago and those forums have saved me a lot of time, money, frustration, etc....

**RobKar** · 12-07-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

Air bags aren't needed unless maybe you got that leveling kit that takes out the needed rake. As long as you keep the tongue weight within spec, you're fine. A WD hitch and sway control are needed and are usually installed by the camper dealer when you buy a travel trailer. Our TT is about 8500 LBS loaded with a tongue weight just over 900 LBS. It tows great. But do listen to every bit of advise because even if theirs something you don't need, having it may make towing easier and more safe.

Your correct, The bags are not needed. However, if you live in California you will find the bags do wonders (bumpy roads). I use Air Lift, I installed them myself in about 2 hours including the compressor. Don't use the Firestone bags the ride empty is HARSH.