One time long tow

Hello everyone,

I have a 2009 Dbl cab, 2wd, V6, AT, with towing package, 40k on odometer.

Next month I plan to tow a 6x12 single axle trailer from Sacramento CA to Lincoln NE. The trailer, when loaded will weigh +/- 3000 lbs. The trailer does NOT have brakes. Opinions regarding whether or not I should install electric brakes on the trailer. All use of this trailer after this trip will involve substantially less weight.



this link is to the brake kit I would be considering...

https://thetrailerpartsoutlet.com/p...J_-uEXTyP1-CZU__KfxXEg5Qn4j6YgghoCEsoQAvD_BwE

 

You may need these as well

 

correct, you'll need the brake controller kit for the truck as well. it's pre-wired behind the dash so install should be straight forward. i would highly recommend brakes - my travel trailer is around the same weight (litttttttle bit more), and there have been times that ive noticed brake fade on long downhills even with electric brakes on the trailer. and you'll have to go over two major mountain ranges so i wouldn't risk it. good luck!

 

It's really never NOT a good idea to add brakes to a trailer you own and plan on using. Especially considering you'll be going up and down mountains on your trip, waay better to have every bit of braking authority available to you. Though the taco tow package is rated for 6500lb, dragging 1.5 tons downhill behind your presumably fully loaded midsize pickup is nothing to sneeze at.

And even if you don't plan on towing heavy after your "big haul", it's still objectively better to have trailer brakes than not. Really takes a lot of burden off your tow vehicle's braking system

I unfortunately don't have any valuable input regarding which specific brake kits to install. But as others said you'll need a controller and Tekonshas are popular, and plug and play IIRC, truck is re-wired under the left kick panel

 

You’ll be fine without brakes. It will take longer to stop.

 

If you can afford to do it, and feel like it, go for it. With or without extra brakes, be aware of how much stopping distance you need, and plan for that. Stop early, and give yourself plenty of room behind the next car. It'll be fine either way. I've towed a 3k lb car over the mountains behind a Subaru with 300k miles, and although not ideal, neither me nor the car died.

 

And hope you have enough time to stop before you slam into the vehicle in front of you.

 

There may be 2-3 states that require trailer brakes on sub-3000 lb GVW trailers. The rest of the country pulls them every day and never has a problem. Above 3000 lbs and brakes are required virtually everywhere.

I've literally pulled my utility trailer from North GA as far south as Miami and as far north as Kokomo Indiana with about 3000 lbs and no brakes. Never knew it was back there. You'll be fine

 

up to you

probably just pulled more than that without trailer brakes which wasn't even an option
not uncommon
left more stopping distance in front of me etc.

 

I would definitely recommend the brakes. I rebuilt an old 80’s utility trailer (with brakes) with a bunch of parts I ordered from etrailer and have had no issues for the last 4 years hauling gravel, firewood, soil, etc. I’ve always been happy to have the brakes as a little extra help. Yes, while you’re on the flatlands you won’t even know it’s there, but as soon as you need to slow down on a steep residential road, curvy mountain road, or long highway downgrade you will be glad to have trailer brakes helping you. I’ve never been too impressed with the stock Tacoma brakes.

 

In California any trailer exceeding 1500 lbs requires brakes. Same for Nevada and Idaho. Other states are more, it varies by state. The problem is if you have an (injury) accident in one of those states while towing heavy without brakes you may be in deep shit. In addition that is a long trip, it would just be safer for you and your fellow drivers to have brakes. I have towed 3000+ loads w/o trailer brakes and you need much longer distances to stop, especially at highway speeds. Without brakes it may take a couple hundred extra feet to stop at highway speed. And going down a grade or hill , big problem. So yes get brakes.

 

Thanks for all the input! I've gone ahead and installed brakes and a sway control bar.

 

Hey everyone. once again, thanks for all the input. As I stated in my last post, I went ahead and added the swaybar control and trailer brakes. Just completed the 1500 mile Trek from the West Coast to the Midwest. I could not be happier with the decision to add those modifications. Coming down some of those grades may have gotten pretty squirrelly without the extra control.

 

Glad it all worked out for ya. Again, extra stopping power (read: energy dissipation) is never a bad investment, especially over the mountains. Even with a lighter load in tow, it could very well mean the difference between brake fade and not. Aside from the controllability/handling aspect, once the brakes get hot enough to fade on a downhill, they’ll only get (much) worse until they cool off. Leaving you pretty much boned and out of options in the moments when you really need them.

 

It'll pull it with no issues but yes trailer brakes would be good! I pulled a 6x12 single axle with my 09 and it did great