New tent trailer! towing questions!!!!

jsuthey · 10-21-07, 10:49 PM

Hi all, just got a 06 Starcraft 13RT,slightly used.PO only took it out a few times.We are in the process of getting my 80 ready to tow it.I am working out a deal w/the RV place to install brake controller.Our 80's have the 4-flat style plug& the new one is a 7-round?
I am new to all this towing tech,but my main question is: How do I hook the saftey chains up to my 4x4 labs rear bumper? I guess I can just weld on the U-shaped bolts to hook the chains to.My bumper is 28" to the bottom of the 2" rec.slot.The trailer is about 24" so a 4" drop hitch should work.
The only towing I have done in my 80,was flat towing my FJ40 around.Towed it like 200 miles one time.That was with an OME HD 2.5" lift w/the stock bumper&tow pkg.
The new trailer is about 2600 lbs. unloaded,it can take 4000 lbs.loaded.Although we won't get it that heavy,just camping gear&mountain bikes,kids bikes.
So I have rambled enough,I just need to have it ready to tow in less than 2-weeks for the Pismo surf n' turf event!!!

sirenmoses · 10-22-07, 10:45 PM

Does the receiver hitch mount not have slots to hook the chains to? Should be on each side of the 2" box opening.

Don't forget to cross the chains under the tounge = creates a cradle to catch the hitch if it comes off. Reduces pucker factor.

John E Davies · 10-27-07, 09:45 PM

If you haven't already committed to the controller purchase, be SURE to research the pros and cons - most units are pure, unadulterated, aggravating junk. If you want to stick with an easily available model that is decent for pavement, get a Tekonsha Prodigy or the upgraded version, the P3. I have the latter on my RAV4 and it works pretty nicely. Here's some P3 info (RAV4 specific) with some pics:

http://www.spokanister.net/Vehicles_...e_control.html

There's a "why no electric brakes?" thread on this page with more info.

John Davies
Spokane WA

rusty_tlc · 10-31-07, 12:33 PM

x2 on the Tekonsha brand, I had a different model but it worked so much better than the cheaper unit it replaced.

Niner · 11-03-07, 04:43 AM

get what ever you can find. It's better than nothing. :P

trainrech · 11-04-07, 12:16 PM

I'd suggest an adjustable plate style receiver hitch. I have J's on my 80 and the ball isn't that much below the receiver once the 80 is loaded up and hooked up to the trailer.

DiHrdBowTi · 11-05-07, 12:20 PM

I have both the Tekonsha Voyager and Prodigy in my diesel's. They are both great. I prefer the Prodigy in my 07 Duramax GMC truck over the Voyager in my 96 Diesel Yukon for ease of use but they are both high quality and work great.

10-21-07, 10:49 PM	#1
jsuthey IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Santa cruz,ca. TLCA# 7702 Posts: 242	New tent trailer! towing questions!!!! Hi all, just got a 06 Starcraft 13RT,slightly used.PO only took it out a few times.We are in the process of getting my 80 ready to tow it.I am working out a deal w/the RV place to install brake controller.Our 80's have the 4-flat style plug& the new one is a 7-round? I am new to all this towing tech,but my main question is: How do I hook the saftey chains up to my 4x4 labs rear bumper? I guess I can just weld on the U-shaped bolts to hook the chains to.My bumper is 28" to the bottom of the 2" rec.slot.The trailer is about 24" so a 4" drop hitch should work. The only towing I have done in my 80,was flat towing my FJ40 around.Towed it like 200 miles one time.That was with an OME HD 2.5" lift w/the stock bumper&tow pkg. The new trailer is about 2600 lbs. unloaded,it can take 4000 lbs.loaded.Although we won't get it that heavy,just camping gear&mountain bikes,kids bikes. So I have rambled enough,I just need to have it ready to tow in less than 2-weeks for the Pismo surf n' turf event!!! __________________ SOLD!!!93 FZJ80 Rubicon Ready 98 T-100 EXT. CAB 4WD, 2000 FOURUNNER LIMITED 4WD 69 FJ40

10-22-07, 10:45 PM	#2
sirenmoses IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: central nm Posts: 1,002	Does the receiver hitch mount not have slots to hook the chains to? Should be on each side of the 2" box opening. Don't forget to cross the chains under the tounge = creates a cradle to catch the hitch if it comes off. Reduces pucker factor. __________________ what shall I drive: Oct 84 tan fj60, 260k mi -- Dobermobile. 31" BFG ATs, Tuffy, SROR front bumper (to be installed) 2.5" BDS suspension, Rowlands storage panels Sept 84 tan fj60, 202k -- spare 85 Honda Accord, 110k -- commuter 91 Kawasaki Concours, 50k -- snowed in Oct 14, 08

10-27-07, 09:45 PM	#3
John E Davies IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	If you haven't already committed to the controller purchase, be SURE to research the pros and cons - most units are pure, unadulterated, aggravating junk. If you want to stick with an easily available model that is decent for pavement, get a Tekonsha Prodigy or the upgraded version, the P3. I have the latter on my RAV4 and it works pretty nicely. Here's some P3 info (RAV4 specific) with some pics: http://www.spokanister.net/Vehicles_...e_control.html There's a "why no electric brakes?" thread on this page with more info. John Davies Spokane WA Last edited by John E Davies; 10-27-07 at 09:59 PM.

11-03-07, 04:43 AM	#5
Niner IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Readfield, WI TLCA# 13372 Posts: 695 Blog Entries: 1	get what ever you can find. It's better than nothing. :P __________________ Chris Hannis, TLCA #13372 2008 FJ Cruiser, Bud Built 5, Warn Bull Bar, 9.5TI, OME Heavies all around. 1971 FJ 40, 400 SBC, th400, Dana 20 Tcase, F/R Dana 44's, Front 4 link, rear spring over 1993 4 Runner (the Girlfriends) Stock for sale. A bunch of stuff thats for sale

11-04-07, 12:16 PM	#6
trainrech IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Emporia, KS TLCA# 10240 Posts: 1,677	I'd suggest an adjustable plate style receiver hitch. I have J's on my 80 and the ball isn't that much below the receiver once the 80 is loaded up and hooked up to the trailer. __________________ '77 FJ40 - 2 YO Son calls it "White Truck" '85 4Runner to be named '85 4Runner Donor "Ick"

11-05-07, 12:20 PM	#7
DiHrdBowTi IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno Posts: 110	I have both the Tekonsha Voyager and Prodigy in my diesel's. They are both great. I prefer the Prodigy in my 07 Duramax GMC truck over the Voyager in my 96 Diesel Yukon for ease of use but they are both high quality and work great. __________________ 78 FJ40, fiberglass tub, crate 350, Holley Projection TBI, Marlin built 4 spd with 3 spd t-case, Ranger splitter, ARB rear locker, 35's, 22 aux tank, Autometer Phantom gauges, soon to be installed Nostalgic Air A/C and TPI (maybe).

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