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07-30-2016, 02:52 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: Heather
Trailer: Suntrek
Ontario
Posts: 4
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Electric brakes
Hello, I just bought a 1998 Suntrek Vista 18' TT. I will be towing it with a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. I have been told that I should have an electric brake controller installed in my van. Is it necessary? Info will be appreciated.
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07-30-2016, 03:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Daniel A.
Trailer: Bigfoot 17.0 1991 dlx
British Columbia
Posts: 741
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Yes you need an electric brake controller, nice trailer your probably towing between 3500- 4000 pounds thats a lot of weight to have pushing on the van when stopping. A brake controller set up properly will work with the tow vehicle brakes and improve your stopping power dramatically.
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07-30-2016, 03:50 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Name: Heather
Trailer: Suntrek
Ontario
Posts: 4
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Thank you. I have an appointment to have controller installed next week.
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07-30-2016, 04:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: U-Haul VT16
Posts: 982
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You will need a 7-pin connector also, if you don't already have one.
The controller is plug and play. UTube can walk you through it.
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07-30-2016, 08:06 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Francois
Trailer: Bigfoot
British Columbia
Posts: 1,163
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beautiful trailer.....
and rare...never heard of it.....
how much does this thing weigh ???? tounge wheight??? What's the tow rating of your van???
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07-30-2016, 08:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Francois
Trailer: Bigfoot
British Columbia
Posts: 1,163
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ooops got my answer.....
in the video the guy says it's 1800 lbs dry......wonder why they bothered with the tandem axle set-up then (????)
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07-30-2016, 08:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Franswa
in the video the guy says it's 1800 lbs dry......wonder why they bothered with the tandem axle set-up then (????)
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A bit like the sticker on my old scamp 16' that said it was only 1500lbs dry..... but failed to mention that meant without a fridge, stove, furnace, propane, water tanks, awning and of the bathroom
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07-31-2016, 10:09 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Name: Heather
Trailer: Suntrek
Ontario
Posts: 4
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Hi again, the trailer in the video is the one I just bought. The specs state Gross Dry Weight is 2200 lbs and carrying weight is 1800 lbs. Hitch dry weight is 237 lbs. I picked it us last weekend in Sudbury and drove to Hamilton without problems. I have no idea what the difference between single and tandem axle. I do have a seven pin connection on the van. Thank you all for the advice.
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07-31-2016, 10:42 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: U-Haul VT16
Posts: 982
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Nice trailer Heather. Sounds like you have it all under control.
Hope to see you in Alganic and or in Niagara. So we can check out your new camper. Can't wait to see it!
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07-31-2016, 11:23 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Francois
Trailer: Bigfoot
British Columbia
Posts: 1,163
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congrats....
single vs tandem.....generally speaking 3500 total weight is the maximum that can be carried/built on a single axle....more than that means moving to a tandem axle....that's what raised a flag with me about the 1800lbs in the video...makes sense now...
looks like a very nice unit with a nice/interesting lay-out...have fun
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07-31-2016, 01:18 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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Check what the maximum weight your tire will hold and that should answer your question.
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07-31-2016, 04:39 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1972 Boler American and 1979 Trillium 4500
Posts: 5,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Heather in Hamilto
I have been told that I should have an electric brake controller installed in my van. Is it necessary? Info will be appreciated.
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You might want to read this very recent thread:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...day-75798.html
Please let us know whether you think trailer brakes are necessary after reading it.
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07-31-2016, 06:44 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Heather in Hamilto
Hi again, the trailer in the video is the one I just bought. The specs state Gross Dry Weight is 2200 lbs and carrying weight is 1800 lbs. Hitch dry weight is 237 lbs. .
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I good rule of thumb is to add 600lbs to 800lbs to that dry weight to come up with a some what more realistic weight. Which would put it in the 2800/3000lb loaded category which is actually still on the light side compared to 17' fibreglass trailers. The fact they have put such a large capacity axle on it to give an 1800lbs carrying weight suggests it most probable is going to weigh over 3000lbs once loaded.
As you can see from the t hread Trailer Weights in the Real World 17' fibreglass trailers loaded for camping weigh in from 2585lbs all the way up to 4400lbs... with the average being in the 3300/3400lb range.
As always the best thing you can do is load it up with all your stuff and weigh it including the tongue.
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07-31-2016, 08:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Daniel A.
Trailer: Bigfoot 17.0 1991 dlx
British Columbia
Posts: 741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy in TO
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She has stated that she has an appointment to have a brake controller installed. In my mind her wondering is part of being new to this and has taken the time to clarify with forum members. Hopefully she will learn how best to use that brake controller and it will become her best friend.
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09-13-2016, 01:07 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Name: nicknacks
Trailer: boler
British Columbia
Posts: 1
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it is also the law you will need also break away switch installed on the trailer your,trailer is heavy once installed you will see how great your trailer brakes work mostly in the rain and going down steep hills
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09-13-2016, 02:31 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Name: Heather
Trailer: Suntrek
Ontario
Posts: 4
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Yes, I have a breakaway switch and an anti-sway bar installed. Last week was our first long trip and the brakes worked very well, except that they squealed quite a bit. I am trying to make an appointment soon to have them checked. Our trip was in the lower Adirondacks NY, and my van handled the hills very well. We got about 14.5L/100Km. Without the trailer I average about 9.5L/100Km.
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09-13-2016, 02:49 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Daniel A.
Trailer: Bigfoot 17.0 1991 dlx
British Columbia
Posts: 741
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The mileage sounds right based on what I get between towing or not.
The squeal may just be because the trailer brakes have not been serviced in some time or the trailer has sat for a long period and collected rust.
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09-13-2016, 03:34 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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The squeel is the rust being ground off.
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