What have you done to your Trailer today?

Not really a trailer mod, but it's for the trailer. Just wanted to share this sweet brake controller I picked up for my Tacoma today. Plugs into the factory trailer port, connects through Bluetooth, super easy to set up and use. No need to hardwire in an ugly controller in the cab. Controlled through an app on your phone. No need to keep the app open to use it either.

 

So you have to access your phone to activate the brakes when you don't want to step on the brake pedal. Gee, in California that would be illegal. You know that pesky little law about hands free devices? Yea I know no one enforces it, but if you had an accident while doing so...

 

A few weeks ago I installed a wireless backup camera using the pre-wired Furrion mount. I don't know if I should have been surprised that the trailers red wire wasn't battery positive... scratched my head for a little while.

 

At least the hot wasn’t green. That can be shocking.

 

Well, that isn't how it works. Just a quick read will show that you can take it from vehicle to vehicle, as it is all housed in the unit itself. One would download the app, install it on the towing vehicle, and then put the inputs you desire into your phone PRIOR to putting your vehicle in gear. Pretty neat, actually, but since I have a controller already installed, and only use one vehicle to tow...not for me. But, thanks for posting a really cool device @m00seNUckLEz !

 

I’m slow. How do you apply the trailer brakes without applying the vehicle brakes?

 

You cant(legally)

 

Can you state the part of the vehicle code that states this?

It’s been a technique used for decades to straighten out a squirrely rig.

 

Awesome thread! A lot of great ideas on here that I might be copying.


Here is my list thus far:

• Dual battery conversion - 2 deka 12v giving me 130-ish amp hours. Will probably upgrade again to a pair of 6V batteries wired in serial.
• Interior battery monitor system - cheap mictuning junk, but since it monitors draw directly from the battery, it's pretty accurate.
• Hinges on seats - my camper came with loose lids on the bench storage, which went everywhere during transport. I put piano hinges on those and trunk lid stays so they can be propped open when accessing.
• Painted the interior - wood grain is boring as fuck
• Plastidipped the wheels because why not.
• Painted the fridge with chalkboard paint- for funsies
• Mattress - tossed the flimsy factory 4 inch mattress. Lined the mattress tray with half-inch workout foam tile. Put a lucid 5 inch mattress on top of that. And because I'm a fucking princess, I bought a queen size 4 inch folding mattress to put on top of that. The folding mattress goes on the floor in travel mode, the 5 inch lucid and tile will barely clear when the lid is closed. 9.5 inches of mattress feels like a real bed.
• Bumper mounted rear view camera with 5 inch dashboard monitor - helps me see who's on my 6 when towing. One of my favorite mods.
• Mounted a 3 ton unijack to the tongue- needed a jack that can safely change a trailer tire.
• Bal lock bar stabilizers - two bars on the rear left stab, two more on the front right. My other favorite mod. Completely eliminated the shaky trailer issue.
• Drain vent pipe -made a vent pipe out of pvc to attach to the sink drain. It makes it drain much faster when washing dishes, because physics is fun.
• Extra usb charging station - (relocated yesterday to accommodate a new light switch)
• Bottle opener with magnet mounted to the side- essential.

And this weekend, thanks to a conversation with @oostroma, I installed blue foot lights on the bottom of the frame. I was really struggling trying to find the right rocker switch for it though. I went with "rock lights," but that doesn't feel quite right. Might change that to "ufo lights" soon. Can't wait to see this in action for the first time next weekend.

 

I'm agreeing with you. With the cell phone app, you can't apply the brakes without grabbing the phone, opening it to the app, and then applying brakes. So you have wasted lots of time to apply them, and have used your cell phone with your hands while driving.

 

Sorry misunderstood about what was illegal. I'll just stick with the old fashioned hardwired kind thank you very much

 

I had to cancel our camping trip early due to the #bigcreekfire here in Fresno County. Figured I could use these days off to knock out some trailer projects. I wanted to add a cargo rack to my rear bumper but was seeing online that they are notoriously weak. I seen some “Safety Struts” online but just didn’t like them at all. I figured I have a welder, so let’s make this thing solid! Today I gusseted my rear bumper to allow it to hold more weight. Then I added a hitch receiver so I can attach a cargo rack to hold my generator or an extra ice chest. Didn't take pictures but I have gussets on the side attaching to the frame as well as underneath. I jumped up and down on it and it seems pretty solid. Next day off I think I'll weld on some angle iron across the corners of the bumper for more support and prevent it from twisting downward.

 

Not a trailer mod, but a truck mod for the trailer that I saw this somewhere on the inter-tubes. Replaced my plate bolts with 1/4 stainless steel hardware; bolt on the right, eyelet on the left. They eyelet provides a spot to connect the breakaway cable that is NOT on the chain, hitch, or receiver and it's a very accessible yet out of the way spot.

 

Thats a darn good idea. I never did like clipping mine to the receiver, but really haven't given it enough thought to find an alternative.

 

Question: What's your guys' opinion on tac welding these weight distribution hookup brackets? I'm always finding them loose. I have a welder, I figure a few tacs wouldn't hurt. What do you think?

 

I’d try locktite first.

 

I'm really happy with the ground lights. They were perfect for futzing around camp without ruining the view of the night sky. I'll have to be diligent since they are in the direct line of fire of the tires so they'll need cleaning after every dirt road, but it's worth it.

Next step: finding a switch that's more appropriate than "rock lights." On order is "ufo lights." Would like something even better than that though.

 

Finished building my refrigerator slide and got the refrigerator and solar installed, minus the wiring. It's going to be great not having to deal with ice anymore.

 

I installed the jack-e-up trailer jack removal adapter that should let me drop the tailgate while hitched up to the truck. Also a double wheel for the jack to move the trailer around. Sorry for the dark picks.

 

Not today, but before our last trip. I installed solar and a controller. Took it out for a 5 day Boondocking trip with the wife & pups. Electricity no longer held us up, previous trip was cut short due to lack of electricity & water. Upgraded the water situation (learn as we go, right?) and have been playing with the electrical. I’m pretty happy with it to this point. Need to shop for a better battery (lithium) and figure an inverter for longer trips. At one point, I saw the controller pushing near 6 amps. Fully charged every day by 10am, and we were in a decent valley with late sunrises.