Brake controller

[Gren71]

He pretty much said that when considering one we should account for around 1200lbs of payload added to the Camper weight to get a total weight roughly of what would be towed. I'm assuming that's pretty good advice from what your saying as well.

The added weight in the camper is variable. Personally i never travel with full tanks so that saves a lot of weight. That said the added payload inside the camper doesn’t necessarily take away from the payload of the truck.

unless your planning on boondocking its just easier to travel with empty tanks imo.

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[Jeeperjamie]

The added weight in the camper is variable. Personally i never travel with full tanks so that saves a lot of weight. That said the added payload inside the camper doesn’t necessarily take away from the payload of the truck.

unless your planning on boondocking its just easier to travel with empty tanks imo.

Probably camp grounds mostly, I don't think she's ready at this point for the boondocking so good point on traveling with empty tanks.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Another question is what weight distribution hitch are y'all using. I found one at Harbor Freight on sale for $175, seems like it's got good enough reviews online. Anyone using it. Seems like a lot of the camper places are charging over $500 for one.

 

[Gren71]

I’ve had three different weight distribution hitches. In total, I’ve spent far too much on them… I should have just gone with what I was told to get from the beginning, which is the one I will link. It’s expensive, but it’s worth every penny.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Equal-i-zer/EQ37100ET.html

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I’ve had three different weight distribution hitches. In total, I’ve spent far too much on them… I should have just gone with what I was told to get from the beginning, which is the one I will link. It’s expensive, but it’s worth every penny.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Equal-i-zer/EQ37100ET.html

Ironically that's the same one the RV place is recommending as well and for around the same price

 

[Gren71]

Ironically that's the same one the RV place is recommending as well and for around the same price

I’m not surprised since in my opinion, it’s the best one on the market. You can spend all day watching video reviews of all of the different weight distribution hitch systems. But what I can tell you from experience and money spent/lost is trailer components are just like Jeep components. If you buy quality upfront, you’ll be happy with the outcome.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I’m not surprised since in my opinion, it’s the best one on the market. You can spend all day watching video reviews of all of the different weight distribution hitch systems. But what I can tell you from experience and money spent/lost is trailer components are just like Jeep components. If you buy quality upfront, you’ll be happy with the outcome.

Sounds about right and was reason I was asking $175 compared to $800 is a big swing but when it comes down to it, safety and how it feels when I'm towing it is the most important thing.

 

[Gren71]

Sounds about right and was reason I was asking $175 compared to $800 is a big swing but when it comes down to it, safety and how it feels when I'm towing it is the most important thing.

Food for thought

For big purchases in that price range i often use a service called affirm. It spreads the cost out over 3, 6, or 12 months and only charges a small amount of interest. usually I use it when I buy tires and such. makes it a lot easier to handle the high cost of some things when it’s spread out

you would also pay less with affirm then if you were to roll the cost of the weight distribution hitch into the price of your camp

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Food for thought

For big purchases in that price range i often use a service called affirm. It spreads the cost out over 3, 6, or 12 months and only charges a small amount of interest. usually I use it when I buy tires and such. makes it a lot easier to handle the high cost of some things when it’s spread out

Sounds like something similar to what I use called affirm and klarna. As long as you stay 12 months or less they don't charge interest.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

We put a deposit down on a 2022 Jayco Feather micro 199mbs. I'm just going to get the hitch and brake controller all done by them. $1300 for them to put everything on and they will finance it in. Had a good experience and both these lots and at both lots the sales people knew a ton about all the RVs, upsides and downsides. What sold me was the better quality of the Jayco even thought it was $26,000 for a used one and I could of gotten a Grand Design Imagine 18bh new for that price, the Jayco slept more and had more features and a better kitchen. Around 4800 so I was pushing what I wanted to pull but worse comes to worse I'll regear. What's you guys thoughts?

 

[loganjeeps]

Congrats on the trailer purchase. At the end of the day, the trailer that you want that meets your needs is the right one for you. The Gladioator will be fine, you'll never have to worry about getting a speeding ticket .

The weight distribution hitch will help ride quality a lot so that's a good choice. If you are near or over 100k miles on your Gladiator you might feel the need for new rear shocks after a couple of trips with they will show their age with any decent sized trailer.

The place you are working with sounds helpful, make sure they assist you getting the brake controller dialed in well. Rule of thumb I'm sure they will say is the trailer should stop itself with its own brakes and truck should stop itself with its own brakes.

post a pic!

 

[Eeeckman]

I nstalled the Mopar switch per instructions and moved the lighter socket to the small change cubby on the right-side. Made a small plate to cover the cubby and provide a mounting surface for the 12v outlet. The Mopar brake controller doesn't provide as much brake engagement as the aftermarket controller I was using on the same trailer and my previous JL.

 

[Hockeypilot44]

I only paid $135 for it, but that was in May of 2020. I used the tape and mounted the knob just below and to the right of the Start button. It is the only smooth surface on the dash that the tape would stick to long-term. I didn't want to put any holes in the dash. The wire comes out the bottom of the button and is hidden behind a dash panel just below it.

CURT 51170 Spectrum Original Equipment Style, Integrated Electric Trailer Brake Controller, Proportional https://a.co/d/4yDdnjh

I have this option and like it. I put it on left side behind steering wheel. Eventually the tape gave out due to heat so I just superglued it in place. Hasn’t moved since. Knob is really light.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Yes it is

id HIGHLY suggest either the curt echo or the mopar controller. Both are solid.

i used the curt echo for a year and a half before i installed the Mopar controller. The echo was flawless, i am just neurotic and wanted the integrated oem controller.

first camper was a wolf pup 18toBL
4500lbs ish

current camper is a keystone bullet
6000lbs ish

I'm thinking the Bluetooth option for me right now. So you had no issues with the curt echo. I'm new to it so I'm just checking. Later on I might do the mopar one.

 

[Gren71]

I'm thinking the Bluetooth option for me right now. So you had no issues with the curt echo. I'm new to it so I'm just checking. Later on I might do the mopar one.

None at all, worked flawlessly. I actually keep in in my camper as a backup incase for what ever reason my Mopar one poos the bed.

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