Seeking towing advice.

Did you tow in the mountains though?

 

Yep. I live at 6000’ and have been over 10,000’ Rocky Mountain passes multiple times to fish different lakes.

 

It goes without saying, make ample use of engine braking when descending a mountain.

 

Yea it's the same here south of the border in most states. If you want brakes you're going to have to look at a trailer that has them.

 

As others has stated do NOT tow a trailer like that without brakes/brake controller.

Invest in a Readarc Pro controller; plug and play with a plug that should already be there.

The main unit mounts under the dash out of knee bashing range, and the progressive capable dial is small and mounts easily in a blank slot in any of the switch slots to the left of the steering column.

 

I have never done the install,,, but here is pretty good write up and list of components based on axle size.
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-Adding-Electric-Drum-Brakes.aspx

 

The trailer brake controller doesn't do the OP much good if the trailer isn't equipped with brakes, which he indicated it isn't.

 

Yep, exactly why I said this:

As others has stated do NOT tow a trailer like that without brakes/brake controller.

Do people not read things thoroughly first before posting, it seems like people are not concerned with that as much as they are pointing out what they think is wrong with someone else's advice.

lol - gotta love TW

 

In every towing thread people talk about their favorite electric brake controller. I've lived around boats and trailers my whole life and have never seen a trailer with electric brakes up close. I'm happy when the brake and turn signal lights actually work.

 

Well shit, obviously I'm blind lol

 

Without brakes and loaded. You will literally shit yourself when and if that bad boy gets away from you. Don't risk your ass going without them. Guys will no doubt say it's fine, it may very well be so. If it gets away from you, you will regret it.

 

In FL and many other states if the trailer has a GVWR over 3,000 lbs it has to have them.

 

As I said above, it is the same in Minnesota "land of 10,000 lakes".

CAVEAT: Florida claims to have more lakes. Wanna fight about it?!

 

My take is having trailer brakes is way safer and better than not. 3000 to 3500 is about were it's federal dot required I believe. I have a 1500. Pound pop-up that has trailer brakes and had a 1200 pound one before that didn't. Having brakes is helpful and adds safety. If the trailer sways a bit a tap on the trailer brakes often helps plus it helps you stop better in emergency situations too.
Towing in mountains I wouldn't be without if the trailer is so equipped.
The brake controller I installed in the Tacoma is the Redarc tow pro Liberty. I think Redarc's design is the most integrated install you can have.
I had Tekonsha Primus IQ in my old Jeep Liberty CRD and that was good too. I just couldn't find a good place to locate it that I didn't feel would annoy me so I let that go with the Jeep when I sold it off.
The Tacoma is pre-wired for a controller you just need the harness to plug it in.

 

I once did that also, but never ever again. You need a football field to stop when at highway speeds.

 

I owned a 3000 lb pop-up for 13 years with no brakes. My utility trailer is 900 lbs empty with a 2990 GVWR. I'm sure it will hold more than 2990, but that rating is so it doesn't have to have brakes. I've pulled the utility trailer from Ga as far south as Miami as far north as Kokomo with 2500 lbs on it with no issues at all. A lot of those miles were in the Appalachian Mountains.

Trailer brakes would be better, but I'd pull that trailer without brakes as long as you keep it pretty close to 3000 lbs. Learn how to downshift in mountains. Going up and down and you won't have any problems.

 

You’ll be happier having the brakes.

 

Ah, TW...

A guy writes " I live in a southern city and never drive off pavement is 2wd ok?"
TW overwhelmingly responds "...you Gotta' have 4wd - just in case you ever need it!!!"


And today:

"Do you think I need trailer brakes?"
(Some of) TW replies - "...nah, I tow over the Rockies all the time without them..."


Do it once, do it right - get the brakes on the trailer and a good brake controller.

 

He asked for people’s experience who have towed that weight in the mountains. After thousands of miles towing that weight in the mountains I have had no issues. Having brakes is better obviously but it’s absolutely doable safely without.

 

We just bought a 8x14 off Kijiji with double axles and trailer brakes. Put a bunch of stuff in it and you will be happier with brakes.

First time someone cuts infront of you on the Coq you’ll wish you had them..