Upgrades needed to pull a camper?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Danville, AL
Upgrades needed to pull a camper?
I am planning on pulling a camper with my '75 F150 (390) this fall or next summer (gotta fix up the camper). If you're wondering the camper is an old late '70's early '80s model. Its gonna be like pulling a tank! I've got the hitch and stabilizing bars. I need some advice/tips on wiring for the lights on the camper and also anything you've got on getting trailer brakes on the truck. I'm thinking about a tranny cooler. I'm not sure if I should get anything to help out the stock rear suspension. If I'm missing anything here that I should look into please bring it to my attention. Thanks in advance to anyone that replies!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Class 5 hitch
6 wire plug
Electric Brake control
Transmission cooler (Make sure it's the right size for application)
Trailer battery powered runaway switch on trailer.
Trailer Battery
Swing-out Mirrors
Battery Isolator in truck (allows charging of trailer battery without draining truck battery)
Up here a "Camper" is a sleeping unit that goes in the bed of the truck.
A Holiday Trailer is a sleeping unit that gets pulled behind a car/truck.
Here is the North American STANDARD Truck to trailer wiring.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Trailerwiring.jpg
6 wire plug
Electric Brake control
Transmission cooler (Make sure it's the right size for application)
Trailer battery powered runaway switch on trailer.
Trailer Battery
Swing-out Mirrors
Battery Isolator in truck (allows charging of trailer battery without draining truck battery)
Up here a "Camper" is a sleeping unit that goes in the bed of the truck.
A Holiday Trailer is a sleeping unit that gets pulled behind a car/truck.
Here is the North American STANDARD Truck to trailer wiring.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Trailerwiring.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Here's a helpful hitch choosing chart;
http://www.hitches4less.com/trailer-hitch-classes.html
And and article on brake controllers;
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...09/ai_n8768360
You never mentioned if your trailer has brakes and how many wheels it has.
http://www.hitches4less.com/trailer-hitch-classes.html
And and article on brake controllers;
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...09/ai_n8768360
You never mentioned if your trailer has brakes and how many wheels it has.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Danville, AL
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
Up here a "Camper" is a sleeping unit that goes in the bed of the truck.
A Holiday Trailer is a sleeping unit that gets pulled behind a car/truck.
Thanks for the info. guys!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
For the trailer lights, go to a parts store and get the kit for your pickup. Then you just unplug the factory harness at the rear bumper and plug in the new trailer harness. Very easy and no problems down the road like splicing and black tape causes...
Marty
Marty
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
I can buy those kits right now for about $5.00 ($4.91) at Princess Auto.
These are only good for the flat 4 wire connectors.
They only work with turn signal/brakes, Running Lights, & Ground
You would still need electric brake circuit & Power to trailer battery.
Here's what to look for.
It is made by Calterm Product # 08734
These are only good for the flat 4 wire connectors.
They only work with turn signal/brakes, Running Lights, & Ground
You would still need electric brake circuit & Power to trailer battery.
Here's what to look for.
It is made by Calterm Product # 08734
Last edited by Mil1ion; Jul 26, 2006 at 01:53 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: Crestline, California
Don't forget to find out the GVWR of your travel trailer to ensure your truck is rated to pull it. My truck has a Kelsey Hayes controller on it for trailer brakes... I have been using them for years on various trucks with no problem, however I am aware that there are a lot of newer units with better technology now available. Why not start a thread asking "what brake controller do you use in your truck, and how did you connect it?" As for the wiring, I am sure Mil1ion has a diagram on his website that you can see and use to "tap into" your wiring for the plug (a standard 7 pin, I assume)
Good luck!
Dak
Good luck!
Dak
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 1
From: Cab of a truck
How big is your trailer? Is it a single or tandem axle model? If the trailer is a tandem axle model it would be heavier, and you might want to look into adding a set of Hellwig (or simillar) overload springs on the rear end. If the trailer is a bigger model, it will really make the rear of that F150 sag.
The best piece of advice I can give you is DO NOT OVERLOOK TRAILER BRAKES!!
You'll see in my 77 F150 4x4 gallery why.
The best piece of advice I can give you is DO NOT OVERLOOK TRAILER BRAKES!!
You'll see in my 77 F150 4x4 gallery why.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Danville, AL
tandem axle camper. Its gonna be like pulling a tank! I'm still working on getting a list of stuff together that I need to pick up to get my truck ready. I'll check out the overload springs. Thanks