Towing enclosed trailer

It belongs to my work company, but the guys that gave me the trailer gave me no information on it. Just told me to link up and take it one day. I have no idea if this trailer has any sort of brake system, how can I find that out?

 

is it a 7 pin or 4 pin connector from the trailer? 4 pin is just lights, 7 pin has power plus brakes in addition to the lights.

 

Easiest way is to get underneath and look at where the wheel meets the axle. A brake looks like a car brake, there's an 8-10 inch drum behind the wheel with two electrical wires leading to it. If there isn't a brake, it looks like a small axle tube leading straight to the wheel stud mounts

 

Trailer brakes make a huge difference, especially if you have to stop quickly. The brake controller connects to the truck and when you apply the brakes in the truck, it applies the brakes in the trailer. If you slam on the brakes in the truck with no trailer brakes, theres a good chance something bad happens like the trailer passing you.

You can adjust the braking for the various loads (more or less braking) and it takes a good bit of load off your truck brakes. They also have a manual switch you can use for testing or if you get into a situation where you need to operate the trailer brakes separately from the truck brakes in special situations.

 

Just four wires in that connector. So I'm guessing a brake controller does me no benefit?

 

it really depends on the load and tongue weight. The tacoma suspension is soft for sure, but I've had more issues with oscillation than anything. Swapping to a better shock in the rear made a huge difference in how it rides when towing, especially at highway or interstate speeds.

 

you've got to have a 7 pin for trailer brakes.

 

looks like your trailer is 6x10 ish? usually on the smaller trailers, they don't put brakes on by default since the load is usually not much. From what I've seen, its 7x12 is the smallest that usually has brakes.

 

That's surprising, but yes. You need a 7pin round connector to power the brakes, if equipped.

4 pin flat connectors either indicate no brakes were equipped or someone did a shade-tree modification to the trailer.

 

That switch should only be used for testing the brakes. It is a point of emphasis in CDL training that using it in emergencies will result worsening the situation instead of helping.

 

*edited for clarification

also here's a bunch of good info from redarc
https://redarcelectronics.com/blogs...electric-trailer-brake-controller-effectively

 

You also need to consider what kind of door(s) you want on the rear. If you are regularly hauling things with wheels (ATVs, motorcycles, riding mower, etc), definitely get a ramp door and a side man door.

 

So I work Sub for a guy now who has basically a rolling workshop. 8x16x7 with a drop gate. There are days where we have a hard time getting the space to get the door down. I like the idea of barn doors and heard they might be lighter. Then again sliding a heavy ass door up the ramp might be easier than lifting it up into the back.

 

Most Tacoma's have ABOUT 6500 lbs tow rating, but the payload is what kills us. A 6500 lb trailer will have 950 lbs tongue weight after you add a required Weight distribution hitch. While theoretically possible to tow it, that would only leave ABOUT 250 lbs in the truck for the driver, passengers and other cargo in the truck. The truck won't have any issues PULLING 6500 lbs. The weak link is that the trucks suspension won't handle the weight. A more realistic limit is 4000-4500 lbs. And I think you can make that happen if you don't go crazy loading the trailer.

 

So in conclusion. Should I worry about towing a 12-14' with some saws and a brake on a bench and a couple hundred pounds of stuff?

 

you'll be fine. no worries.

 

When you are towing significant weight, weight distribution becomes very important. Too much tongue weight and the truck will be squatting like a mofo, ride like crap and have light steering. Too much in the rear and the tail will wag the dog and you'll probably crash.

 

get a half ton

 

This was the day I got my new (to me) trailer. 7X16 tandem, one axle with brakes. With a brake controller in the truck it does fine even when loaded. I purchased it because I'm rebuilding a house and put the house contents in it and it's now parked storage until the house it done. I've towed it several hundred miles (loaded) without any problems. Several thousand with a 7x12 tandem enclosed trailer, and another thousand with my 8X20 flatbed. I've pushed the truck up to the towing limit numerous times with minimal discomfort. Just a note, if your truck has a towing package it should have the wiring up under the dash already for a brake controller. You just need to get a controller and the right wiring to mate with the Toyota plug. Otherwise, plug and play.

 

Pulled my 6x12 vnose loaded with race bikes up and down the east coast without issues. Keep and eye on trans temps though during hot months.