need trailer size advice

[elkohater]

I've been looking at a lot of the posts about towing and have not been able to find specific info, some please help me out. I have a 82' half ton, I just put a pretty strong running 350 in it and it has the four speed manual trany. I'm looking at a 77' 21 foot camper for sale I would like to purchace, is this gonna be to much for my pick up to pull? should I just start looking for smaller?

[zieg85]

If the 4 speed has the granny gear you should be fine.  Biggest thing with any travel trailer is having a weight distribution hitch, sway control and a top notch electric brake controller.

[bake74]

If the 4 speed has the granny gear you should be fine.  Biggest thing with any travel trailer is having a weight distribution hitch, sway control and a top notch electric brake controller.

   
     
     x2 on all the above, and you will be fine.  My 74 chevy pulls trailer's better than my 99 expedition ever would.

[Isaac3384]

X3! Don't skimp on the brake controller either. I've always used the Tekonsha Voyager and never had any problems. The Drawtite Activator 2 is also a good choice, and it's not too far out of line price wise. I used to install these for a living; as well as trailer hitches, sway controls, and weight distribution hitches. Lmk if you have any other questions.

[1980c10]

Tekonsha Voyager is a great brake contoller-probably the best out there.
Along with a weight distribution hitch and a class three hitch and you'll be set.
The sway controll is not needed as the distribution hitch will eliminate the main cause of trailer sway.
Some people will argue against this; so after you set the weight distribution bars correctly try towing without the sway control and if you feel you need it then add it.

If you currently have a class 3 hitch inspect it for rust-if you have a lot of it then you should consider replacing it as well.
(they tend to rust from the inside out)

[Blazin]

Even if you have the best controller in the world the trailers brakes will have to be in good shape too if your using a 1/2 ton to pull it. The brakes on the truck need to be tip top as well. I would worry more about stopping it than pulling it.

[Isaac3384]

This is also true. If you need to get parts and don't mind waiting, Redneck Trailer Supply is a great place to order from. The best way to do the brakes is to order new backing plates...it's not much more expensive, and it saves quite a bit of time. Make sure the faces of the drum are all smooth; especially the surface the magnet grabs. If it's not, it will cause your brakes to wear prematurely, or not work at all. The surface the shoes ride on can be turned, but I don't think the surface the magnet rides on can be, so you may need drums also.

[Blazin]

X2 on getting the whole backing plate with the brakes allready on them. The little extra cost is worth not having to mess around with them. Also as long as bolt pattern permits you can upgrade to higher GVW brakes on the trailer. It will require new drums as well though. Make sure the bigger drum will fit inside your rim too.

[elkohater]

awesome, i feel a lot more confident about this and im glad to know I wont tax my old truck out. you guys all rock!

[Isaac3384]

X2 on getting the whole backing plate with the brakes allready on them. The little extra cost is worth not having to mess around with them. Also as long as bolt pattern permits you can upgrade to higher GVW brakes on the trailer. It will require new drums as well though. Make sure the bigger drum will fit inside your rim too.

Not nessicarily true; if the 21' camper he's looking at has 3500# axles, there's nothing to 'upgrade' to. If he has 5200# axles, he can upgrade to as large as a 7000# setup, but he would need the new drums and 8 lug wheels. It wouldn't nessicarily help his stopping power, but the shoes may last longer since they're rated for more weight. Even the surface area of the shoes are the same going from 5200# brakes to the 7000# brakes, they are just a little different material. I believe the 6000# backing plates are exactly the same as the 5200s, they just use the 8 lug drum with a different outer bearing. You can't upgrade a 3500# axle to have 5200# brakes due to them having completely different spindles and brake flanges for the backing plate.

All of this should stand true unless there has been a huge change in trailer braking components in the last couple years...