Another dumb question, towing a cargo trailer

[AussieInExile]

Hi all

Following up from my "How the F do I open the hitch cover" question for 2011 LX. I'm wondering how many of you have experience towing a single axel (no brakes) 2000-3000 lbs enclosed cargo trailer? Did any of you experience sway?

I recently purchased a 6x8 and didn't feel any while it was empty going around 50-60 mph on the freeway, but I'm wondering how it will go when it is full? It's slightly disconcerting because in the manual it says: 1000 lb. (454 kg) for an Unbraked TWR.

 

[RET2]

How you load it ie: weight distribution is going to be a deciding factor. Adding brakes is an good option?

 

[AussieInExile]

I would normally agree with you, but I dont want to go overkill at the same time by putting brakes on when I dont need them. I plan to sell the trailer after a month or two anywho.
I dont plan to load up the trailer anywhere near 2000lbs, but I could see myself myself loading it up say 1500lbs.

Ofcourse I plan to do the usual things like put all the heavy stuff in the front half of the trailer.

 

[RET2]

My comment was just a suggestion based on my conservative approach to potential issues, not to be treated as Gospel. After all you how the old saying goes "The best made plans of men and mice...." In reality stopping one of the beasts is not like stopping a sports car and adding 40 to 50% more GVW could only compound that issue, not to mention the wonderfully courteous safe other freeway drivers.

 

[AussieInExile]

I'm usually like that as well, and I would normally go that route. I certainly dont want to endanger others or myself, however the law in most provinces and states in NA is that ~2000 lbs or less without brakes is safe. But I dont know how different that feels in practice, I dont know what it feels like to tow 2000lbs let alone 1000lbs. Do you have any experience with this?

 

[RET2]

As a matter of fact I do. Held a CDL for many years till retirement and regularly pulled 40k lbs of trailer. That being said it's the passenger type vehicles that are most affected by trailer braking issues. I believe the laws don't actually say it's "safe" but rather "not required". In short you really don't need trailer brakes... till you did need them. Just an old geezers $.02.

 

[AussieInExile]

Lol, that's so true. 40k Lbs is f-ing alot! I'm looking into getting the trailer brakes installed, I'll give my mechanic a call on Monday and see what he says.

Any recommendations on the brake controller? Tempted be a nerd and get one of those wireless ones.

 

[RET2]

There are more choices than you can imagine. If you search the 200 section there is a detailed install post about finding the factory preinstalled wiring it's plug and play, if you are a 98 lb. contortionist. It has comments on the various controllers and locating them. FYI a trailer sales place may have better pricing/timing than a regular mechanic.

 

[Sandroad]

I’ve towed an unbraked single 3500 lb axle utility trailer for 10s of thousands of miles, including thousands with the 200. Max load for me has been maybe a ton, but usually I’m at about 1/2 ton. Sway can definitely be a serious problem if loaded improperly. Get the cargo weight up front and it will be be fine. If you’re lazy and put the cargo just inside the rear door, you’ll be in trouble. The 200 brakes handle the trailer with no problem. In my experience trailer brakes are not needed for up to a ton of trailer here in the flatlands of Michigan. If I lived in hilly country then sure, I’d brake the trailer. Electric brakes are easy to add with parts from Etrailer. I should add I drive extremely defensively when towing and keep speed below 65mph.

 

[TeCKis300]

I tow an unbraked 6x8 cargo trailer with regularity for a camping group I'm with. And that trailer gets towed by many others with all sorts of trucks and SUVs. It's no problemo.

Like has already been mentioned, keep the heavy stuff forward. Load it wrong with heavy stuff in back, and it can make an F250 sway.

Give yourself distance to the vehicle in front, but she'll brake fine. Use engine braking downhill.

Main factors in sway is not loading with center of gravity forward of the trailer axles enough (i.e. tongue weight) and speed. It'll likely be plenty stable, but be aware that speed exacerbates the likelihood of sway. And braking distance.

 

[RET2]

Paging Mr. Murphy?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I recently towed a loaded 6x14, with about 3000lbs total weight, roughly 400km over various mountain passes. The trailer had brakes, but I didn't have a brake controller at the time, so they weren't functional. No issues at all.

That said, I recently picked up an off road trailer, and have already bought an electric brake kit for it, along with a Redarc brake controller for the LX. It's cheap insurance.

 

[RET2]

I recently towed a loaded 6x14, with about 3000lbs total weight, roughly 400km over various mountain passes. The trailer had brakes, but I didn't have a brake controller at the time, so they weren't functional. No issues at all.

That said, I recently picked up an off road trailer, and have already bought an electric brake kit for it, along with a Redarc brake controller for the LX. It's cheap insurance.

"It's cheap insurance" truer words were never spoken

 

[GordJ]

Loading/sway video

 

[AussieInExile]

Dumb follow up to this, how do I install brakes? I'm going to call my mechanic to get it done, but Im curious what the difference is bettween left and right?

Do I need both left and right? Or just one? I assume this brake stops the axel rotating using a magnet, hence it only needs one? If it is only one, how do you know what side?

 

[RET2]

You should install brakes on both wheels. Go to a trailer supply/sales place, they will be well versed in this type of install.

 

[Fisher23]

That is a small trailer and doesn't need brakes. Nice to have, but doesn't need them.

What you may want is an anti-rattle attachment on the receiver, to avoid the clunking.

 

[AussieInExile]

I'm not convinced it doesnt need brakes. My trailer weighs 400kg without anything in it. The limit for towing without brakes according to the manual is 454kg. I will need to load it with at least 200-400kg. Hence why it will need brakes.

 

[Fisher23]

I don't think SQ is going to care on a trailer that small. I tow with a 2k trailer a lot, and I can't tell it's back there. I towed it without brake before I installed the brake controller and with. Not a noticeable difference. The answer depends on what you think the word "need" means. What is the SQ rule?

 

[AussieInExile]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is SQ?