My in-laws are giving us allowance to use their pop-up trailer during the summers (they live in SW Utah and it is too hot for them to camp) and I am trying to wrap my head around getting my '99 ready to tow. This is a totally novel concept to me and I really don't have a good grasp on what is required.
First, it's a smaller camper - 2,100 lbs dry weight - and it has electric brakes (7-pin pigtail).
Second, I understand that the 98-03 rigs didn't have a towing option, meaning there's no simple way to plug-and-play to get the electric brakes, which are important to me because I live in the mountains and I don't want to lean too heavily on my 21-year-old truck.
Third, my weld nuts are out of alignment (like many others) and I can't just slap a Draw Tite 75095 on. I've got my fair share of rust so I'd rather let someone else take care of things anyway. I'd be fine wth U-haul putting their hitch on, but they can't do the wiring.
Hopefully, someone with experience can walk me through the process - I can gather bits and pieces from various threads on here, but I'm starting from scratch and want to make sure I do this right the first time. The hitch problem is solvable. The wiring problem is giving me a headache. I have gathered enough to understand I need a brake controller plugged into the dash, but otherwise, I'm not exactly sure how it is going to work. With this old of a car, is the brake controller going to be automatic or will it be 100% manual? Who even does this kind of wiring - garage or RV place? I've had electrical problems in the past regarding shorts in my wire harness (that subsequently fried my dash, fuel sender, and fuel pump) so I don't want just anyone messing around back there.
Much appreciation to those that can help.
First, it's a smaller camper - 2,100 lbs dry weight - and it has electric brakes (7-pin pigtail).
Second, I understand that the 98-03 rigs didn't have a towing option, meaning there's no simple way to plug-and-play to get the electric brakes, which are important to me because I live in the mountains and I don't want to lean too heavily on my 21-year-old truck.
Third, my weld nuts are out of alignment (like many others) and I can't just slap a Draw Tite 75095 on. I've got my fair share of rust so I'd rather let someone else take care of things anyway. I'd be fine wth U-haul putting their hitch on, but they can't do the wiring.
Hopefully, someone with experience can walk me through the process - I can gather bits and pieces from various threads on here, but I'm starting from scratch and want to make sure I do this right the first time. The hitch problem is solvable. The wiring problem is giving me a headache. I have gathered enough to understand I need a brake controller plugged into the dash, but otherwise, I'm not exactly sure how it is going to work. With this old of a car, is the brake controller going to be automatic or will it be 100% manual? Who even does this kind of wiring - garage or RV place? I've had electrical problems in the past regarding shorts in my wire harness (that subsequently fried my dash, fuel sender, and fuel pump) so I don't want just anyone messing around back there.
Much appreciation to those that can help.