So I've got a 4x4 '85 F250 with a 460 and a 1500 lb camper in the back.

Now I'd like to start flat towing my 5,000 lb off-roader behind it. But I live in Colorado where most of the driving I do involves a lot of mountain driving.

I've been told the biggest issue is stopping power. One person who tows the same kind of vehicle with a large motorhome suggests I add a system that applies the brakes on my tow vehicle when I apply my brakes, but most had a serious concern the brakes on the truck woudln't be up to it.

What do y'all think? Is there sufficient braking included with an F250? Obviouslly not a dually.

In its previous life this truck pulled a horse trailer all over the country, and it's got some kind of electronic trailer brake box that lights up every time I hit the brakes. Don't know how to make that work for me, though, since I don't have a trailer with trailer brakes.

 

For a towed vehicle that big (referred to as a "toad") you will need some sort of auxilliary brake system to apply the brakes on the toad. The brakes on your truck will not hold up to a long downgrade for long.

US Gear makes a deal they call the "unified tow brake". Here is a link to their site:

http://www.usgear.com/unified_tow_brake.htm

It's a pretty cool deal...it even uses a vacuum pump to keep the power brakes on the toad working when it's not running (but being towed).

I've also seen a few that work on a compressed air system to depress the brake pedel of the toad as well, but I can't remember the manufacturer right now.

It's best to be safe...if you don't have proper braking you could lose your truck, the camper, and your toad all at the same time!

You might want to try to post on the rv.net forum...there are a lot og guys/gals out there who run around with toads that may have some good advise to give.

Hope that helps!

Dan Martin
1986 F350 Crewcab Dually, 460, C6