I need some quick help on towing a camper

I put the word out yesterday that I was looking for a camper, buddy calls me up, he's out of town looking at a camper. What questions do I need to ask about the camper and towing it. I know nothing about campers or towing one. My buddy doesnt know either but says he doesnt know if this thing will lift the front wheels off the ground or my bad dad truck can handle it.

 

If its more than 2000-3000 lbs you might want a trailer brake.

 

If it has the original plug on the trailer, easiest way to tell if you need a trailer brake is if it is flat or round. I believe there are rules mandating trailer brakes over a certain weight in some jurisdictions. I say if it is the original, because I know someone who bought a huge trailer, and tows it with his van. I was surprised when he said he didn't need a brake, and when I followed the wires from the wiring harness, they've been spliced. It's a four flat now, but I have a feeling it was a 7 round at some point.

The other thing you'll want to know is the tongue weight. That is the weight at the front of the trailer, and depending on your model will depend what weight you can use. Regardless of trailer weight, if it's a single axle, the tongue weight will vary depending on where the wheels are on the trailer. My old trailer I could pick up the front end with one hand and push it around anywhere, and my then 4 year old jumped onto the back bumper and the trailer slammed to the ground. My new trailer I can jump my 240lb fat-ass on the bumper and it won't move, and I can lift it, but can't move it. The wheels are further back, and the tongue is around 300-325lbs. When I hook it up, my Taco goes from ass-high to nice and level.

And kind of in line with my first point, make sure you have the right hook up for the lights, flat or round. Depending on the age, there's also another weird hook up I've seen before. I think it was a small round or something weird. If it's different from your truck, you can buy an adapter. Also, make sure you get the right ball size. While there are "standard" sizes (I think it's 2", but I could be wrong), I have seen where the size is a little different, whether it was changed, or just weird.

Oh, and lastly, make ABSOLUTELY SURE you check it before leaving. My wife came home last year upset that the trailer tried to pass her, bending the jack and "modifying" the van bumper. Try and lift it when it is unhooked, and if you can't easily do it, put the jack down after hooking it up to check it. And say this because the putz who hooked the trailer up last year (my BIL) tried to lift it and when it didn't move, decided it was because it was engaged, not the truth, which was he wasn't strong enough to lift it.

 

Thanks guys