I want to die in my sleep like grandpa, not screaming like everyone else in the car

[Kittypuke]

Which brings up my question At what length and weight should sway bars and electric brakes be used? Mine is 12ft and around 1000lbs.

[slowmover]

Many state laws are on the books for trailer brakes at 2,500-lbs (some at 1,500-lbs).

WD hitches probably for a 2,500-lb trailer as TW of 350-lbs and up is sufficient per vehicle manufacturer.

2,500-lbs at 15% TW = 375-lbs


What sort of trailer is this? And what is the TV?

.

[barts]

Any four wheel vehicle rated to pull a 1000 lb trailer can handle that weight w/o trailer brakes. In California the legal limit w/o brakes is 3000 lbs, but clearly the safety of this depends heavily on the TV. When to use a weight distributing hitch depends on the TV and the tongue weight; again, 150 lbs (15% of trailer weight) is going to be fine.

-= Bart

[Kittypuke]

Great, I think I will pass on adding sway and brakes since its so small.

[Protagonist]

"I want to die in my sleep like grandpa, not screaming like everyone else in the car" The easiest way to accomplish your goal is to fall asleep at the wheel.

You probably won't need sway bars for a 1000-pound trailer unless your weight distribution is WAY off. Whether you need trailer brakes will vary by state. Some states require trailer brakes regardless of trailer weight, with a stipulation that the tow vehicle plus trailer be able to stop in 40 feet at 20 mph.

A good summary of trailer towing requirements by state can be found at Towing World's website:
http://www.towingworld.com/PDFS/TowingLaws.pdf