Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-11-2006, 08:11 AM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
ft collins , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 7
Do I need a Brake Controler?

I have a 25 ft 1978 international. I am towing it with a 2004 chevy tahoe 5.3 engine. DO I NEED A BRAKE CONTROLER INSTALLED. The Dealer told me not for a 5000 lb trailer. What is your oppinions? Thanks for your help.

Bridger
bridger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 08:26 AM   #2
3 Rivet Member
 
Killo1's Avatar
 
2005 22' Safari
Santa Ana , California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 167
Yes, Yes, Yes!
__________________
Alan
2005 22ft Safari
2003 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 5.3l
"Life is like a box of chocolates..." Forrest Gump
Killo1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 08:27 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
2006 30' Classic
Farmington , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 826
Images: 14
No need for a brake controller unless you intend to tow it. Seriously, the dealer is trying to get you killed!!!!! Perhaps he's the one who wired your trailer without a ground circuit. I would seek out a reputable RV dealer and have him inspect and wire your vehicle correctly. Someone else chime in here before this guy gets himself in REAL trouble--pieman
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 08:57 AM   #4
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Bridger,

Aside from the fact that running an Airstream without brakes is tantamount so suicide, most state laws REQUIRE trailer brakes on ANY trailer over a certain weight. That weight varies from state to state, but it generally applies on any unit above 2000lb. IIRC, that includes just about every Airstream ever made!!!

The other reason is the need to apply the trailer brakes independently of the tow vehile brakes in an emergency situation, especially while towing in the hills of Colorado. This could be a variety of scenarios, but controlling sway or a violent trailer swing are just a couple of reasons.

Good advise above!! Seek out a competant RV center, trailer center or Certified RV Tech and have them install the brake controller and verify your wiring and brake operation, and enjoy your Airstream.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 08:58 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
silverback's Avatar
 
2006 28' Safari SE
Currently Looking...
Colorado Springs , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
lease brakes

Not only is it unsafe (say you get into a sway condition or weather induced slide...) but you will cause premature brake wear to your tow vehicle. I was selling a truck with a Prodigy brake controller and had a vintage trucker looking at it. He commented that on rental trucks they would just use the cab/truck brakes becasue they didn't care about the wear on them. I would doubt most of what this dealer says.
-KL
__________________
4CU Charter Member
silverback is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 10:08 AM   #6
1 Rivet Member
 
ft collins , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 7
Thanks for the replys. I just ran down the street and had them install a prodigy brake controller. Took 15 min. and 150.00 Dollars. So to understand this more..... without the brake controller I was not engaging the trailer brakes?

(Mike- Just a side on the electrical. This morning I went out and actually hooked up the ball to the trailer and everything worked perfectly again. Is it possible that this is how the ground is completed?)
bridger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 10:13 AM   #7
Retired.
 
Currently Looking...
. , At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
Quote:
Originally Posted by bridger
So to understand this more..... without the brake controller I was not engaging the trailer brakes?

(Mike- Just a side on the electrical. This morning I went out and actually hooked up the ball to the trailer and everything worked perfectly again. Is it possible that this is how the ground is completed?)
Yes, without the brake controller, the electric brakes are not operating.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
overlander63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 10:14 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
The trailer ball will sometimes complete the circuit but that is not reliable or recommended. I have used the trailer brakes to actually stop the tow vehicle in the Rockies when the tow vehicle brakes failed. This is also not recommended but it worked that time going down the side of a deep canyon with no place to pull off or runaway lanes.
dwightdi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 10:22 AM   #9
4 Rivet Member
 
AZstreamin's Avatar
 
2005 30' Safari
Chandler , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by bridger
I have a 25 ft 1978 international. I am towing it with a 2004 chevy tahoe 5.3 engine. DO I NEED A BRAKE CONTROLER INSTALLED. The Dealer told me not for a 5000 lb trailer. What is your oppinions? Thanks for your help.

Bridger

I read this and it scares the H3LL out of me to think of all of the other people not as smart as you, to get a second opinion on the forums... The idiot that gave this information to you has likely sent many others on the road towing in the mountains without brakes
AZstreamin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 11:07 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
bhayden's Avatar
 
1978 24' Argosy 24
Woodinville , Washington
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 682
Images: 10
Factory controller?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bridger
I have a 25 ft 1978 international. I am towing it with a 2004 chevy tahoe 5.3 engine. DO I NEED A BRAKE CONTROLER INSTALLED. The Dealer told me not for a 5000 lb trailer. What is your oppinions?
That's pretty strange. Either the guys completely unqualified OR your '04 Tahoe has a factory tow package that includes brake control. If this is the case then I think you'd be better off with the fatory controller. I'd hope that the RV place that installed the Prodigy would have noticed this so my hunch is the dealer was wrong.
bhayden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 11:31 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
2006 30' Classic
Farmington , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 826
Images: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by bridger
Thanks for the replys. I just ran down the street and had them install a prodigy brake controller. Took 15 min. and 150.00 Dollars. So to understand this more..... without the brake controller I was not engaging the trailer brakes?

(Mike- Just a side on the electrical. This morning I went out and actually hooked up the ball to the trailer and everything worked perfectly again. Is it possible that this is how the ground is completed?)
The trailer ball and hitch are designed to couple the trailer to the trailer, NOT to provide an electrical connection. When the Ground circuit fails if the trailers is hitched to the tow vehicle the current seeking a return ground path will find one through the hitch. However this is an unreliable connection and is not intended to be used as such. One of the wires in your 7 pin connector is a ground circuit connecting the trailer frame and tow vehicle frame. If wired correctly this wire is the one in the 7 oclock position ,{bottom left} , when you open the lid on the tow vehicles {female} connector. The coresponding male end is connected to the trailer frame. NOTE , when looking into the end of the trailer connector{male end} this wire position will be bottom right or 5oclock. I could tell you how to determine which{the TV or the trailer is at falt but I think it best to have a reputable RV dealer check it for you.----Pieman
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 11:45 AM   #12
1 Rivet Member
 
ft collins , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 7
You guys are great...Thank you. Controller fixes all

I can't thank you folks enough for your help. You probably have saved my family's lives. Just a quick update.... there was no factory controller so I did need the prodigy. I have an appointment to take everything in to get it checked out before we take it out this weekend. However, for now, it looks like the controller has fixed all. I hooked it up to make sure it was working and when I did that I got good ground without connecting the trailer to the ball. It seems that whatever they did when installing the controller has fixed the grounding problem. Thanks again.

Bridger
bridger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 01:18 PM   #13
LEV ZEPPELIN
 
crazylev's Avatar
 
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago , Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,047
Images: 10
Bridger.

It is also important (if you don't know this already) that the Prodigy or any other brake control device needs an initial "set-up". There is a Power knob and a Boost. You should have an instruction sheet for that. If you don't you can probably get one at Tekonsha's site or get some advice here.

It's also a good idea to check your settings once in a while too.

Jonathan
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
crazylev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 01:32 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
TIMEMACHINE's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Huntington Beach , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,293
Images: 2
Good job

Bridger,

During your appointment, have them check your 7 pin again just to make sure all of the connections are secure and clean. And your situation is a good example of why it is important to ask if you don't know. Good job.
TIMEMACHINE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 01:38 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
silverback's Avatar
 
2006 28' Safari SE
Currently Looking...
Colorado Springs , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
Bridger
Jonathan is correct. I check/adjust my settings before every tow. I set my Prodigy to ~5.5 or 5.6 and use level two boost (needed with Hensley hitch). Your numbers will likely be different.
-KL
__________________
4CU Charter Member
silverback is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2006, 02:18 PM   #16
2 Rivet Member
 
1972 25' Tradewind
Wentworth , South Dakota
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 29
If I were you I would look into why this guy hates you! Remember just because your paranoid don't mean some one isn't trying to kill you. Good Luck in your travels.
Danetree is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Banks exhaust brake for Dodge Ram wflorencejr On The Road... 9 10-15-2005 08:26 PM
Brake Controllers smily Brakes & Brake Controllers 6 10-02-2002 06:12 AM
Electric Brake Controller Problem Don Brakes & Brake Controllers 4 04-15-2002 01:05 PM
Hydraulic Brake Replacement DanLyle Brakes & Brake Controllers 2 03-26-2002 05:02 PM
Which brake controller? Andy R Brakes & Brake Controllers 2 03-06-2002 10:11 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.