Brakes and Hitches

[Luckydog671]

Since I'm such a newbie at this towing a trailer thing, I would love to hear from you experienced Hi-Lo owners as to what brands/ types of brake controllers (I've never used trailer brakes so am clueless) and hitch systems you use. For hitches, I've read that the Hensley Arrow is the cream of the crop but they are very expensive and maybe overkill for towing a 22' Hi-Lo?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Fountain-FRF]

Lucky, most smaller travel trailer users are sticking with the round bar load levelers, very easy to use and inexpensive. A 22 foot model will give you no trouble towing with a hitch similar to this: Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch 1000 lb TW [17002] - $231.08 : The Hitch Store, Trailer Hitches Online They can generally be had for about $225.00. Other members here will give you there recommendations for a brake controller. Stick with a good one, probably in the $125 to 150 range.

 

[RichR]

Get a Tekonsha P2 or P3 brake controller, they seem to work the best. And, there should be a wiring harness for them that will plug into a connector above your truck's emergency brake pedal. That way everything is connected correctly and tied into the factory trailer wiring harness.

Get a weight distributing hitch (WDH) with 800+/- pound bars.

etrailer.com has some good videos that explain hitches and controllers. Weight Distribution Trailer Hitches Information Video | etrailer.com

The best thing you can do is, take your trailer to a local RV dealer and have them install the hitch and brake controller. They should know how to do it and get everything adjusted.

 

[RCREYES]

Since I'm such a newbie at this towing a trailer thing, I would love to hear from you experienced Hi-Lo owners as to what brands/ types of brake controllers (I've never used trailer brakes so am clueless) and hitch systems you use. For hitches, I've read that the Hensley Arrow is the cream of the crop but they are very expensive and maybe overkill for towing a 22' Hi-Lo?

Thanks,
Greg

Never had any problems with the hitch and controller I use.
My WDH
CURT Manufacturing - CURT Long Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch #17302
My sway bar
CURT Manufacturing - CURT Sway Control Kit #17200
My brake controller
CURT Manufacturing - CURT Discovery Brake Control #51120
Good info
Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924

I got mine with 20% off and free shipping. The sway bar was thrown in with the deal. If you get on their mailing list, they have sales very often.
Curt - Weight Distribution Universal Hitches - JCWhitney

 

[JackandJanet]

I recommend the P3 brake controller. It makes no sense to pinch pennies on safety equipment. It's easy to set up and is resistant to being accidentally disabled.

Rich's comment on the weight rating of the WDH was right on too.

- Jack

 

[byrdmeister]

Hitch/controller

If you don't have to have new, you can come across something like this for $35 on Craigslist. Also, check UHaul for used hitches. This is a Valley 0513. Notice all the ways it can be adjusted. You can get this thing almost perfectly level with the trailer. That way you don't have to put such force on the torsion/sway bars. They put a Reece Pilot controller in my Ford F 150. Direct hook up. It just went to Colorado and did a great job pulling our 1994 22 foot Hi-Lo.

 

[Luckydog671]

Thanks everyone for all your input! Now I just need some time to go through it and figure out what to buy!

 

[RCREYES]

Thanks everyone for all your input! Now I just need some time to go through it and figure out what to buy!

One question can bring on millions of suggestions and opinions.

 

[PappaP]

I agree with both Jack and Rich on the Prodigy Brake Controller and as well the Equalizer WDH. I used both and highly recommend them for safe travels.

 

[Luckydog671]

Hi all, and thanks for your input- I love this forum!

I've decided to go with the P3 brake controller from Tekonsha. It's $144 on Amazon right now with free 2-day shipping (Prime). A bit pricey but I'm a big believer in minimizing risk! It's in my Amazon cart right now so if you hear of a better price in the next week or so, let me know! I e-mailed Tekonsha to ask if I need any additional cabling/ adaptor for my tow vehicle. I have the factory-installed tow package in the Tahoe.

Still haven't decided on a hitch setup yet- that's my next research project . . .

 

[Fountain-FRF]

$122.00 right now, free shipping tekonsha p3 | eBay

 

[Luckydog671]

$122.00 right now, free shipping tekonsha p3 | eBay

Thanks for the tip, Jim - I just ordered it!

I received an e-mail back from Tekonsha: "You would need adapter 3015-P in order to plug the brake control into the existing connector on the vehicle." I found the adapter on Amazon for 10 bucks so will order that next.

Thanks,

 

[sam-HILO]

Brakes and hitches

I always said our forum members are sharp scouting out the best prices on parts. We make our hard earned dollars scream for bargains.

 

[Luckydog671]

Hitch Ball Size?

OK, starting to look at hitches now. My first question is, what size hitch ball do I need to tow a Hi-Lo? Are all the years and models the same size?

 

[PappaP]

You might want to check Camping World also for prices on the Brake controller. If I remember right, I think with the membership discount, I got my Prodigy Brake controller there for around $100?

 

[Luckydog671]

Thanks, Pappa but I already purchased the brake controller online. It should be delivered tomorrow! Now I'm focusing on hitches (see my post above).

 

[Fountain-FRF]

Lucky, being a 22 foot w/trailer brakes I would bet that the ball is 2 5/16, but look on top of the trailer part (tongue) that the ball fits in. It will be stamped in the steel, either a 2 5/16 or 2".

 

[JackandJanet]

Lucky, if you don't have the trailer yet (I seem to recall you were going to travel to pick it up), the seller should be able to tell you the ball size you will need.

But, if you haven't gotten the trailer yet, check if it may come with a hitch?

- Jack

 

[Luckydog671]

Lucky, being a 22 foot w/trailer brakes I would bet that the ball is 2 5/16, but look on top of the trailer part (tongue) that the ball fits in. It will be stamped in the steel, either a 2 5/16 or 2".

Thanks, Jim. I'll check the trailer tongue when we go to see it.

 

[Luckydog671]

Lucky, if you don't have the trailer yet (I seem to recall you were going to travel to pick it up), the seller should be able to tell you the ball size you will need.

But, if you haven't gotten the trailer yet, check if it may come with a hitch?

- Jack

Hi Jack,

I've e-mailed the owner to see what kind of towing rig she used and whether there is a hitch for sale.

A couple of questions for anyone on the forum:

I've done a little research and it seems like the Equal-i-zer brand hitch is good one. Is anyone using one for towing their Hi-Lo?

Worst-case scenario, would it be safe to tow approx. 100 miles to my local dealer using a standard weight-carrying hitch until I can get a proper hitch for it?

Recall that I am a towing rookie