I'm probably gonna buy another trailer this week. I'm looking at a 6.5'X14' with dual axles and trailer brakes. Never run a trailer with brakes (my truck has a box). Big benefit? I'm assuming it depends on load. I'm guessing I'll never have anywhere near the trailer's rated load on board. I'm also sure the added weight's gonna make a difference in feel, while in tow. The new trailer would out-weigh the current one by over 700#. Will the extra axle help? Thanks.
Well, the extra axle will help with wieght on the trailer only. Most are only rated to 2 ton max for one axle. I have a trailer with brakes. Sure, it definately helps, especially during a sway event, or quick stop. But you will have to readjust the contoller every load. Because every load is different. And you sure don't want em locking up. I know I put over 2 or more tons of iron fence post helping a friend move on mine. And that pushed my tundra pretty good. I adjusted the brakes, and I wouldn't be without it, with a load over 1 ton. Just for the sway safety alone is worth it. I was caught in a bad sway once, and about wrecked my truck once. This was with a trailer with no brakes and motorcyles, and my small tacoma.
I have a 8x12 dual axle 7k# gvw and use it to haul wood, dirt, mulch and anything else that doesn't fit on the small trailer. Mark covered some of the stuff that was good about trailer brakes. I can also apply my trailer brakes without applying my vehicle brakes and that helps with the sway. I do like, when carrying a heavy load, that it helps to stop the whole setup instead of just relying on van brakes. While I start slowing down sooner with heavy loads the stopping distance would be somewhat ridiculous if all I had were van brakes. I pull it with my Chevy Express Hvy Dty hunting van. Just remembered I also loaded up a friends Jeep SUV and hauled that. Evrything worked just fine then too and, once again, the trailer brakes made a huge difference when stopping that load.
I used to have a travel trailer with brakes. The anti sway switch mounted on the dash for the Reese hitch was really cool when the trailer started getting out of whack. Just bump the trailer brakes and it all straightened out like it wasn't there. Loved that hookup.
Anti sway rocks, I have an anti sway and weight distribution system for my TT. 7000 lbs seems a bit light, do you have the small 8 ?
Happens when you least expect it. Resonance ossilations. I was driving down the road with cycles on the back and trailer lightly swayed back and forth, no biggie. Got worse then worse, until the back tires starting squealing. Rule is to speed up, slightly and it will come out of the sway. It did eventually. But it got close to racking the truck. If you slam on the brakes, it will usually push the truck around. Some never experience it. With a nice electronic brake system, just tap it, and no worries. I also use an friction anti sway system on my camper. Only down side is, its another thing that has to be inspected in MD at least. Another bad thing is getting used to setting the brake adjustments. First time I used em, I smelled something burning. I went back and couldn't touch the hubs, they were so hot. So, you got to experiement. Some instructions say, set the brake so they will lock up at 20mph when you hit the test switch. Then back down 1/4 turn. I find this to be wrong.
Totally different V8s now. I have the 4.7 liter. Others have the 5.7's. The newer 4.7's have 310 HP and rated to 8K
I just bought another trailer last fall, 6.5x16' tandem axle 7k GVWR with a 5' drop gate and e-brakes. Works perfect with my F-250 ebraking system although i rarely if ever have an actual NEED for it. If you are just loading mowers and the occasional mulch load, don't worry about it...if you will be hauling tractors or rocks/stone or scrap iron and pushing the weight limit (like I bought mine for) then it certainly helps. I thought about getting an old enclosed trailer for the lawncare and a gooseneck for the scrapping and tractor, but went with a big open utility for all uses. 16' holds two JDeere 737s and a 2' front basket perfectly. Everything else mounted to front basket or sides of trailer. Storage is the only other problem, tight squeeze into the garage im currently using. Will probably purchase a car port to store it in this summer though.
Jeff, I have a 06 Tundra DC with the 4.7 V8. I pull a 16'x8' dual axel enclosed trailer without problems, however, I wouldn't do it without trailer brakes, especially in the terrain that I live in... I don't have an anti-sway bar but will be getting one soon. The Trailer Brake module I have installed is the Primus IQ and it's phenomenal... You can set the trailer brakes to start braking an instant before the truck brakes and utilize the trailer brakes to assist the braking of the truck, this is awesome in hills or mountains. PS... I also built removable fold-up beds for the trailer. They fold up against the wall during travel and down to sleep in, then can be very simply removed to haul stuff. I'll post pics later...
I had a choice of three different V8's when I bought mine. 4.8, 5.7 and 6.0 4.7 can haul right around 7000 lbs.
You have a tundra? What year? Trevor....I'll use this trailer for everything I do (which is pretty hard to pin down). There's no telling what could get hauled in them. My issue is what to do with storage, too. I've got 3 other trailers and a pull-behind pig cooker to store, here. It's getting crowded. Thanks for all the information. I have no idea what kind of trailer brake box my truck has. The guy I bought the truck from pulled a pretty big boat, though. Looking forward to the pics, dubs.
I am, yeah. I have an 05+ Tacoma with the tow package (I can tow up to 6500lbs). I haven't come near that, but I would CERTAINLY be using trailer brakes in this situation. Your Tundra isn't much different than the current generation of Tacomas in terms of tow capacity and payload. I would definitely advise running a trailer break system. As for the engines, there are actually four generations/versions of V8s Toyota- the 4.7 in the 1st gen (which was paired with both a 4 speed and 5 speed tranny (05+ received the 5 speed), the 4.7 in the 07-09, the 4.6 introduced in 2010, and of course the 5.7.
Hopefully I'm not repeating what someone else said earlier because I only have time to scan all the posts. But I would strongly consider a WDH (weight distribution hitch) hitch as well. http://equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/ This gives you a 4 point sway control with complete weight distribution. We have a 7500lbs 30' TT and it is amazing how rock solid that trailer is during panic stops, passing semi's, etc. Spectacular is an understatement. Someday when the kids are older and my wife and I downsize I will still get a WDH even if it's not needed anymore just because of how I can relax while pulling the trailer with complete confidence.
I found out how important trailer brakes are this past winter when I was pulling 28,000 lbs during a blizzard and trailer brakes quit working. Got home safe and sound but it was one of the scariest rides of my life.
