Had to tow my travel trailer to dealer w NO brakes!!

[danielspivey]

An update on pulling my rig....

I have a max tow, 285/75r17 w 2” spacer lift, front rubi springs, WDH w sway control and brake controller ... towing a forest river Salem cruise lite 273qbxl, my loaded weight it right at 6600-6700

My travel trailer is new... and I’ve had some issues with the wiring. In doing a recent test run the drivers side wiring started smoking.... some of the wiring burned off the protective coating.... Ends up there is some sort of short w how it was wired from the dealer.

so I had to tow it 46 miles to the RV dealer w NO BRAKES....

Despite it being a little scary ( just the fact of no trailer brakes) I am completely impressed in how the JT Stopped the trailer w no brakes! It really didn’t push it at all. Now keep in mind... I was very cautious... didn’t go above 50... kept tons of distance w cars in front of me, but must say was impressed. Just wanted to share w the group.

lastly, I want to emphasize the key to towing heavy...

1) decent WDH w sway control build in. My Jeep is proportionally level w and w/out the load. This makes all the difference in towing the load and especially w steering.
2) brake controller. When working, the trailer stops pretty much as quick without it back there. I set mine a little trailer brake heavy to the trailer helps slow the JT down.
3) go slow, be careful , take your time
4) get towing mirror extensions... I have the rampage w adapters from thorn. While I can’t see the back of my trailer completely because it’s 8’ wide... they do greatly increase the FOV... especially when changing lanes or backing up
5) not needed but so helpful ... a rear facing trailer observational camera. It’s a game changer in backing up and seeing what’s behind you while in route.

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[brianinca]

This is GREAT data to have, thank you! That's perspective I would NOT want to have of my own experience! 46 miles must have felt REALLY far.......

 

[danielspivey]

This is GREAT data to have, thank you! That's perspective I would NOT want to have of my own experience! 46 miles must have felt REALLY far.......

Yep furthest 46 miles I’ve driven... like ever.

I see people towing Large travel trailers with half ton trucks going 75-80 mph on the highway.... and I think, what the heck are they doing ?

 

[PDiddy]

Glad you got it done safely. I test drove my trailer without trailer brakes set up and I was also impressed with how it stopped. The brakes on the gladiator did grate. I took our 6400lb travel trailer up to Hope Valley, near South Lake Tahoe this weekend (with a brake controller). Took it up to 7700ft elevation. The truck is very stable pulling it with a WDH. Very impressed.

I think the engine is the weak point towing heavy loads. Mines a rubicon, so the larger tires take away some torque. I’m thinking I will regear it to 4.56 for climbs, higher elevations and to take some stress off the transmission. Also dropping in some air bags to the rear springs, to stiffen up the ride with all the added weight. It’s pretty soft with family and trailer.

I too drive slow and steady.

 

[danielspivey]

Glad you got it done safely. I test drove my trailer without trailer brakes set up and I was also impressed with how it stopped. The brakes on the gladiator did grate. I took our 6400lb travel trailer up to Hope Valley, near South Lake Tahoe this weekend (with a brake controller). Took it up to 7700ft elevation. The truck is very stable pulling it with a WDH. Very impressed.

I think the engine is the weak point towing heavy loads. Mines a rubicon, so the larger tires take away some torque. I’m thinking I will regear it to 4.56 for climbs, higher elevations and to take some stress off the transmission. Also dropping in some air bags to the rear springs, to stiffen up the ride with all the added weight. It’s pretty soft with family and trailer.

I too drive slow and steady.

Nice, good to see someone with a similar setup. Looks nice and level w the WDH. I see you have your WDH bars really high like mine... that’s the toughest part, getting them on and off. What model trailer is yours?

Also, do you use towing mirror extensions or observational rear camera?

 

[Br4hm4]

Man oh man you low landers have it nice. Living in Colorado I would be scared to tow anything over 4500 lbs with the Gladiator. This last weekend the family and I took a camping trip and we haven't bought an RV yet...but starting elevation being 6300ft and at some points getting over 10K ft the idea of towing anything large freaks me out.

 

[danielspivey]

Man oh man you low landers have it nice. Living in Colorado I would be scared to tow anything over 4500 lbs with the Gladiator. This last weekend the family and I took a camping trip and we haven't bought an RV yet...but starting elevation being 6300ft and at some points getting over 10K ft the idea of towing anything large freaks me out.

PDiddy did so towing up to high elevation, that gives me some confidence going up out tiny Mountain Climbs here in VA!

 

[Br4hm4]

PDiddy did so towing up to high elevation, that gives me some confidence going up out tiny Mountain Climbs here in VA!

I saw that...7700 is a pretty good peak, but that is just about where things get started here. Engine seems too underpowered and the size makes me a little leary to tow anything over 24 ft.

 

[danielspivey]

I saw that...7700 is a pretty good peak, but that is just about where things get started here. Engine seems too underpowered and the size makes me a little leary to tow anything over 24 ft.

Yea over 10k is up there... luckily most of the places I will be going are fairly flat. I think the high bridges and tunnels what make me the most uneasy at the moment...

 

[PDiddy]

I saw that...7700 is a pretty good peak, but that is just about where things get started here. Engine seems too underpowered and the size makes me a little leary to tow anything over 24 ft.

I would agree with you. At around 7000ft I noticed the power loss in the engine. Coming up to that point it was great. It struggled that last 700ft climb, going up a 10 mile 6 percent grade. It did it but wouldn’t want to do it all the time.

 

[PDiddy]

Nice, good to see someone with a similar setup. Looks nice and level w the WDH. I see you have your WDH bars really high like mine... that’s the toughest part, getting them on and off. What model trailer is yours?

Also, do you use towing mirror extensions or observational rear camera?

the trailer is grey wolf 26dbh. It has a rear camera, which is a must, and I use mirror extensions. I also use a Bluetooth brake controller. I want the stock one from mopar, when I can get it.

 

[danielspivey]

the trailer is grey wolf 26dbh. It has a rear camera, which is a must, and I use mirror extensions. I also use a Bluetooth brake controller. I want the stock one from mopar, when I can get it.

Yea I wonder if it will ever be out... since it’s been 1.5 years and they are still advertising it... I’m highly doubtful it’ll be any time this year. Which camera do you have ?

 

[PDiddy]

Yea I wonder if it will ever be out... since it’s been 1.5 years and they are still advertising it... I’m highly doubtful it’ll be any time this year. Which camera do you have ?

So it looks like you can order the 2021 gladiator with the brake controller. So hopefully that means we will be able to order that part, at some point. The camera is a furrion. Comes with a monitor the suctions to the windshield. Camera is mounted high on the back of the trailer. I may add side cameras for it as well.

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