What Hitche/Brake Controller?

[mopar7]

We just orderd a 25'B Safari. We have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 Z71 with the Vortec 5300 and 3.73 rear axle. What hitche and brake controller should we get for this trailer? Will the Tahoe have any problems towing this trailer?

[Tin Hut]

I just got the Tekonsha (sp?) Prodigy and am happy with it.

[wingfoot321]

Check the previous threads on this subject. One of them is four months long!

The discussions usually end with either the top line Tekonsha Prodigy or the Jordan Ultimae. Installation of the Jordan is a little more difficult due to a wire cable pull to the brake pedal vs. the Tekonsha being strictly inertia based.

Prices are about the same , $140 list. Probably pays to check around on controller + installation price as wholesale on my controller through a relative was about $95.

There is a wiring kit that cost $15 which will plug into your wiring harness under the dash.

[jcanavera]

I picked up a new Jordan Ultima from a dealer off of Ebay for about $110. The wire install to the brake pedal was extremely easy. I've used a few brake controllers in my life but this one is the smoothest I have ever used hands down. I won't ever go back to an inertial after using this one.

Jack

[mopar7]

How about a hitch. Witch one should we get? Also will we have any trouble with the Tahoe towing this TT?

[Fun-Lovin]

Reese, Husky, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Valley. They are all good and come in various ratings. I would go with a class III or IV.

[Porky Pig]

Originally posted by mopar7
Also will we have any trouble with the Tahoe towing this TT?

The GVWR of the Safari is 5,862 pounds.

Your Tahoe is rated to tow up to 6,700 pounds.

On the surface that looks OK. However, you need to dig a little deeper to make sure you are not overloading the Tahoe.

If you load the Safari to the max .. your ideal tongue weight will be about 11% of the GVWR .. which is 645 pounds.

This is 645 pounds will be carried by your Tahoe. So you will have to find out how much your Tahoe weighs with a full tank of gas, you and all passengers and all of your gear ... then add the 645 pounds to that figure. Are you exceeding the GVWR of the Tahoe?

Load up your Tahoe with fuel, passengers and your gear ... and go to the scales and weigh it. Now combine the weight of the Tahoe with the 6,700 pounds of the Safari. Are you exceeding the GCWR of the Tahoe?

If you can answer No to both questions, you should be OK with a good WD hitch and a brake controller.

[uwe]

Mopar,
Does your Tahoe have a factory towing package??
If so, then you will have a very easy time with the brake controller/trailer wiring/hitch setup.
If not, then you will have to do some additional setup work:
Transmission cooler, trailer wiring to the car end plug, brake controller wiring, tow hitch installation, etc.
I use a standard weight distributing hitch, eaz-lift, with a single sway control.
It does the job of leveling my Suburban and trailer, and feels alright while towing.
It's not great, and there is occasional sway, but overall it's ok.
Forum members seem to like the dual cam by Reese alot, as wella s the Hensley Arrow. I imagine that the closer you get to the limits of your tow vehicle, the more the investment of the Hensley makes sense. www.hensleymanufacturing.com
You will be at the limit of your Tahoe's performance on hills, but in my opinion, it should pull a Safari 25 just fine. This is providing you set up the tow system just right. You should find out first if your Tahoe has the factory tow package.
I own a Tekonsha prodigy, and it's vastly superior to the Voyager I used to use. I have not tried the Jordan, but have heard nothing but good things about it.
Good Luck!

[mopar7]

Yes the Tahoe has the trailer package.

[frozen chosen]

Re: what hitch to get, do a dearch and read up on the Equal-i-zer hitch. I am going to go with this, and have heard nothing but very good reports.

[mopar7]

Hensley $3000.00
Dual Cam Reese $400.00
Equal-I-zer $555.00
$3000 sounds like a lot of money and hard to hook and unhook.
I know we spent a lot on the TT but do I need the Hensley?

[Pahaska]

Originally posted by mopar7
Hensley $3000.00
Dual Cam Reese $400.00
Equal-I-zer $555.00
$3000 sounds like a lot of money and hard to hook and unhook.
I know we spent a lot on the TT but do I need the Hensley?

Absolutely not.

I just bought a new 2500HD truck and a 25' Classic Airstream. Since I need both new equalizer bars (1000# vs my present 550#) and a new, longer, shank because of the height of the new truck, I have decided to switch to a Reese Dual-Cam. The discount hitch place will fit me with a Dual-Cam setup complete for not much more than the replacement bars and shank cost for my old hitch.

[mopar7]

OK if I go with the Reese do I need the high performance trunnion weight distributing Kit and the dual cam kit?

[Mike B]

Mopar7,
Look up Reese Strait Line hitches on your search engine and you will get all the info. It is a complete system except for the right height shank and ball for your vehicle. You will probably need the one with the 800# bars. I had a friend who just bought one for his SOB toybox on my suggestion,and is thrilled with how well it works. I myself use the Jordan controller and am very happy with it.
Mike B

[Pahaska]

Originally posted by Mike B
Mopar7,
Look up Reese Strait Line hitches on your search engine and you will get all the info. Mike B

Good advice, by George!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[jcanavera]

My advice if you go dual cam from Reese is to consider the new HP dual-cam unit. I have the dual-cam which works great. Dependent upon the trailer, you may have to mount the U bolts in the area of the gas bottles. In my '01 Safari this required the bolts to be under the gas bottles.

The new HP dual-cam eliminates these U bolts. BTW, I am very happy with the dual-cam unit. I also join the ranks of those who recommend it. Here is a link to a page where you can compare the standard and the new HP models.

http://www.reese-hitches.com/sway_controls.htm#Dual Cam

Regards,

Jack

[Mike B]

The new Reese Strait Line Hitch assembly uses the hi performance dual cam setup so you do not need the U bolts.
Mike B

[mopar7]

Where is the best place to get the new Reese Strait Line Hitch assembly? Best price.

[jcanavera]

First I would check with the dealer where you bought your trailer from. Secondly I would check with any local outlets that specialize in hitch installations. If you feel comfortable installing yourself, surf the Internet.

I bought my dual-cam with my SOB trailer about 6 years ago. I negotiated a purchase at dealer's cost. With my Airstream's I have added installation of my dual-cam for no cost as part of my order.

Jack