| Author | Message | ||
     R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 462 Registered: 07-2002 |
Any of you have a trailer that you tow with electric brakes? I just got a camper with electric brakes and need to get it rewired to fit the camper... or vis-versa I suppose. But the point is I believe I will need to have my truck rewired and have one of those ugly brake control boxes put in - is that right? Or is there already a wire in the truck? Right now I personally used trial an error to splice in a standard lighting connector to the Discovery system right near the rear tail light. Any info would be appreciated, suggestions, examples of what you have done, and places to get the right equipment. http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2155 Registered: 04-2002 |
Personally I wouldn't be towing anything with the disco that is large enough to need brakes. How big of a trailer are we talking about here?? I've worked at a travel trailer dealership and the salesmen are notorious for telling your vehicle can handle all sorts of stuff it probablly can't just so they can sell you a bigger (read: more expensive) trailer. Got a V6 dakota.... "sure you can tow a 30 ft. trailer, no problem..." | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 464 Registered: 07-2002 |
It's only 17-18 feet and only weighs about 2100 lbs empty. As it turns out, the trailer is probably one of the first of this type built, probably a display model from 1998. It has the retractable awning, airconditioning, fridge, the works - it's like cheating! When I tell people about it I don't know whether I am making a confession or showing off. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2157 Registered: 04-2002 |
Well IMHO your getting up there, maybe not with weight but considering the length of the trailer and the wheel base of the disco make sure you get a good sway control bar and watch out for those 18 wheelers!!! | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 558 Registered: 10-2002 |
I pulled a 2100# popup camper all over the place last year with my 88RRC. I even took it on a 2400 mile "jaunt" from Albany NY to Cape Breton Novia Scotia! I found the V8 to be torquey and great in the lower gears, it got tough on long hills but did fine. I also used a brake controller with a 7 pin harness. Just follow the instructions that came with the brake controller. I wired it directly to the battery. If you can wire a work light, you can do the brake. I'm about to rewire my D2 with the same brake controller and harness. Ask here or e-mail me directly with questions. -John | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 466 Registered: 07-2002 |
I pushed it into my driveway yesterday and the Disco did fine with it.  I will be getting a swaybar for it, and the heavy duty springs and OME shocks will make a difference in the bounce. John, what does your controler look like and where did you mount it? And do you by any chance have it wired to charge the trailer battery while you are driving? | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 561 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have a Reese Compact Brakeman that I mounted under the dash on the right side. Here's their website. I bought it from a RV place for around $60-70 as I recall. http://www.reeseproducts.com/ You will want to be able to be able to reach it while to driving to adjust the trailer brake responsiveness. You don't wire the brake controller to charge the trailer battery. But you do run a line from your positive battery terminal to your 7 pin trailer harness to charge the trailer battery. Do you have a 7 pin trailer light harness? If you need one I bought the Hoppy multi-tow 7:4 combo. I got it at Wal-Mart for $25. Here's their web site. http://www.hopkinsmfg.com/hoppy.html?litemateintro.html | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 562 Registered: 10-2002 |
Carter is right, with the short wheel base you will feel the trailer back there, but I never felt uncomfortable pulling it. When my rig was loaded it would squat. Your heavier springs should help. | ||
| Garth Petch (Garth) New Member Username: Garth Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2003 |
Look here for instructions of how to wire up a brake controller and trailer lights: www.disco2.com/howto/ I tow a camper trailer with an unladen weight of a bit over 1000kg (2230lb) with a TD5 manual (actually my wife has done more towing of it than I have). On flat road the car can tow this at 100/110 kph all day and return better than 13.5 litres per 100k (about 17-18 miles per US gallon). Of course in hilly areas you have to use the gears to keep it going and the fuel consumption drops accordingly. I use a set of level-ride springs between the car and the van (more because I have them rather than a real need). I find it better if I pack the car and the van properly so that the weight is distributed correctly and the weight on the drawbar is correct. I've never had a need to worry about sway bars; if the van is packed properly, towing properly and I'm driving properly (most important), any minor sways can be cured by accelerating or touching the handbrake on the brake controller. My brake controller is a big old Tekonsha; I've mounted it on the panel under the steering wheel so I don't hit it with my knees. One of these days when I feel the need, I'll buy one of the small ones that I can fit on the dash beside the instrument binnacle. Garth | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 468 Registered: 07-2002 |
Thanks - I am not looking forward to another wire job to the back of the truck. But it sounds like I will simply be doing a lot of cutting and connecting and routing, nothing complicated. But I still have no clue where I should put the controler - I'll have to buy it first and test it in a few spots. | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 563 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sounds good, the controller should come with a wiring diagram too. The 7 Pin connector should also have a wiring card telling you which pin powers what. Let me know if you have furhter questions. In regards to brake controller placement, most people put them under the dash on the lower facia on either side of the steering column. Again within easy reach while driving. It's not too bad. | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 564 Registered: 10-2002 |
I forgot to say congrats on your new camper! We really enjoy ours. It's nice not to have to sleep on the ground! -John |
