Double trailers one brake controller??????
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Double trailers one brake controller??????
I'm looking into towing a small camper trailer behind my 20' car hauler and was wondering about using a single controller for the brakes on both trailers? The first trailer will be about 8000 lbs gross and the camper will be about 3500 lbs. I'm afraid that if I try to use one controller that the rear trailer being half the weight will try to lock the tires up before I have enough braking force on the car hauler?
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
I think you answered your own question - the controller adjustments for one will be way off for the other trailer due to the weight difference. With 2 controllers you'd need some HEALTHY wiring to eliminate power drop to that camper. I assume towing 2 trailers is legal in MO?
Steve
Steve
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
I'll jump on the bandwagon and tell you to first check your state laws about pulling doubles. Especially, two bumpers.
As far as the control goes. Get a decent quality control. No, not the Walmart crap. Go to a trailer or RV dealer and get something good. Tekonsha products are pretty good. Get a Prodigy, Primus, P3 or even a Voyager 9030 and you should be ok. We've pulled hundreds (if not thousands) of doubles and have never had the need for two controls. If your car trailer is weighted down pretty heavy you will have to boost your control up to compensate which could cause the camper brakes to lock or drag. In all likelyness, you probably won't have any problems. You won't know until you try. Just try it in a safe location and really put it through the works. Going down the street won't cut it, but don't test on a busy freeway either. Just make sure you get a good control and the wiring is in good shape.
As far as the control goes. Get a decent quality control. No, not the Walmart crap. Go to a trailer or RV dealer and get something good. Tekonsha products are pretty good. Get a Prodigy, Primus, P3 or even a Voyager 9030 and you should be ok. We've pulled hundreds (if not thousands) of doubles and have never had the need for two controls. If your car trailer is weighted down pretty heavy you will have to boost your control up to compensate which could cause the camper brakes to lock or drag. In all likelyness, you probably won't have any problems. You won't know until you try. Just try it in a safe location and really put it through the works. Going down the street won't cut it, but don't test on a busy freeway either. Just make sure you get a good control and the wiring is in good shape.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Thanks for the input from you guys, I was definitely going to check to make sure it's legal, I'm almost sure it is. As for the controller I do have one quality controller installed in the truck now. As soon as I make sure it's legal I'll load every thing and see how it handles before taking out on our 150 mile trip.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Is your hitch rated for that much weight? Is the hitch on the end of trailer #1 strong enough to handle towing with? I've heard a lot of stories about trailer hitches that FELL OFF trailers.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Sun City West, AZ
towing tandem
There is a adjustable resistor which can be purchased and mounted on the second trailer and adjusted for less breaking power on the 2nd lighter trailer.
These look like a short screen door spring in a loop with a sliding thumb screw clamp, wired in series which adjusts the amount of power going to the lighter trailer
I hope this helps:
These look like a short screen door spring in a loop with a sliding thumb screw clamp, wired in series which adjusts the amount of power going to the lighter trailer
I hope this helps:
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Barbourville Ky
I think I would use two controllers .If nothing else for safety.I have had mine quit working simply because the plug shook loose.With two independent systems you have some extra safety measure in place..
