Picking up new camper...no brake controller

[mpainting]

I've been holding out for the factory brake controller. I am picking up my new camper next week...22 foot, 3,700 lbs. I have about a 30 mile drive home from the dealer. No hills and will only need to stop a maximum of 4 times. I have a Rubi with max tow package. I have very limited towing experience and this will be my first time towing something this size.

Do you think I'll be fine getting home and hope for the brake controller come spring? Anyone else tow anything this size with their JT without a brake controller?

Thanks!

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[Phljeeper]

You will probably be fine but my recommendation is to bite the bullet and get an aftermarket controller.

 

[giskard]

Drive slow, keep plenty of space in front of you, and allow for a lot longer braking distance. 30 miles isn't something I'd worry too much about especially over flat ground and limited stops. Though I have a fair amount of towing experience (non for the JT yet unfortunately).

Alternatively, you could pick up a wireless brake controller (e.g. the Cure Echo) to tide you over until the factory kit comes out as it is plug and play with no permanent mounting. That's what I plan to do if I have a need to tow a longer distance before I can get the Mopar controller installed.

 

[wannajeep]

picking up my new camper next week...22 foot, 3,700 lbs. I have about a 30 mile drive home from the dealer. No hills and will only need to stop a maximum of 4 times. I have a Rubi with max tow package. I have very limited towing experience

I towed a 3,300 lb camper with a JK Rubicon (same motor, 3.6L V6 Pentastar). It gets by but it ain't great. And that was with a weight distributing hitch and brake controller.

You should be okay getting it home as long as (like @giskard says) you keep plenty space in front of you and allow for more stopping distance and take it slow. Keep full concentration and have no distractions.

The three most important things you can and should do ASAP:
- tow mirrors
- weight distributing hitch (spreads load across all tow vehicle & trailer axles, keeps steering wheels from getting light)
- brake controller

 

[Combolc]

Not worth it I wouldn't tow mine without a controller. Maybe a really short distance around corner. Redarc makes a great controller. Whatever controller you pick don't forget to include the required diode. Here is mine and I tow a Nobo 19.8 3780 dry

Definitely get a weight distribution hitch as well and some tow mirrors.

 

[NateKY]

I've been holding out for the factory brake controller. I am picking up my new camper next week...22 foot, 3,700 lbs. I have about a 30 mile drive home from the dealer. No hills and will only need to stop a maximum of 4 times. I have a Rubi with max tow package. I have very limited towing experience and this will be my first time towing something this size.

Do you think I'll be fine getting home and hope for the brake controller come spring? Anyone else tow anything this size with their JT without a brake controller?

Thanks!

First off, does the camper even have electric brakes?? There are a lot of posts here about the brake controller, but most trailers within the Gladiator max tow only have surge brakes. I have never towed any livestock trailer, horse trailer, or boat (under 20’) that had electric brakes.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

First off, does the camper even have electric brakes?? There are a lot of posts here about the brake controller, but most trailers within the Gladiator max tow only have surge brakes. I have never towed any livestock trailer, horse trailer, or boat (under 20’) that had electric brakes.

My 20 had brakes - it's why I had to add a controller to my Ford years ago. I sold the camper years ago so no longer have the axle books handy. It was the first thing I'd ever had with electric brakes until I bought my car hauler (my first flatbed had no brakes and weighed over 3,000 pounds empty)

 

[KVJ]

FYI
Ohio Trailer Brake Laws

Brakes are required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 2,000 lbs.

 

[mpainting]

First off, does the camper even have electric brakes?? There are a lot of posts here about the brake controller, but most trailers within the Gladiator max tow only have surge brakes. I have never towed any livestock trailer, horse trailer, or boat (under 20’) that had electric brakes.

Yes it does have electric brakes. We looked at a ton of travel trailer campers weighting between 3000-4000 lbs with a length anywhere from 18'-30' and they all had electric brakes.

 

[mpainting]

FYI
Ohio Trailer Brake Laws

Brakes are required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 2,000 lbs.

Thank you. Think I'm going to grab a Curt Echo to tide me over until the factory controller is available.

 

[WXman]

Whatever controller you pick don't forget to include the required diode.

Can you elaborate?

 

[NateKY]

FYI
Ohio Trailer Brake Laws

Brakes are required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 2,000 lbs.

So does this law only apply to trailers bought in Ohio?? Can you ticket for a trailer from another state?? If so, I need to stop fishing in Ohio.

 

[Combolc]

First off, does the camper even have electric brakes?? There are a lot of posts here about the brake controller, but most trailers within the Gladiator max tow only have surge brakes. I have never towed any livestock trailer, horse trailer, or boat (under 20’) that had electric brakes.

I cant imagine a new trailer at that weight that doesnt have electric brakes.

 

[Combolc]

Thank you. Think I'm going to grab a Curt Echo to tide me over until the factory controller is available.

I used this one and I did have some issues just FYI - I know other on here do like it though. It not really secure in the 7 pin andyYou have to unlock and find your phone to press override if trailer sways.

Mine actually broke after a week the left brake light wasnt working - Amazon refunded me and I got the Redarc.
If you dont want a cabin mounted option also can check out the prodigy rf

 

[Majormajor]

You will probably be fine but my recommendation is to bite the bullet and get an aftermarket controller.

I am going to use the Redarc from e-trailer. I like the idea of hiding the main unit under the dash and then place the small control knob in a convenient place

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