OT-Does anyone else tow a trailer?

[JIPJOBXX]

I was just wondering if anyone else tows a trailer? I have been taking small trips here and there with no problems but the brakes are a little bit soft when stopping. I kind of take that as my truck can tow my trailer and come to a stop in a heart beat but the old Dodge well I think it was made just to move people around not trailers. Jon

[Rusty O'Toole]

There is no reason your car won't tow a light trailer. If the brakes bother you install brakes on the trailer. This is a good safety feature as it adds control especially on curves and hills, and in case of unwanted sway.

A complete new axle with brakes is under $200. Any electric brake controller will work on 6 volts.

[TodFitch]

There is no reason your car won't tow a light trailer. If the brakes bother you install brakes on the trailer. This is a good safety feature as it adds control especially on curves and hills' date=' and in case of unwanted sway.

A complete new axle with brakes is under $200. Any electric brake controller will work on 6 volts.[/quote']

Interesting that a brake controller will work on 6v. I would not have expected that.

My trailer pulling days with the old car are probably over, but I did pull this little trailer loaded with all my spare parts when I moved from Maryland to California over 30 years ago.

[Don Coatney]

You would be better off not trying to pull a boat trailer.

[Captain Neon]

I've been thinking about building a 5x8 teardrop for the missus and me. Before I get too deep, I am installing a small hitch to her PT Cruiser and renting a 5x10 for an overnight. If we like it, we may install a hitch on my P15, and try an other trip with a rented or borrowed teardrop. If that goes well, I may start building one of our own. If we REALLY like it, I may just buy one already finished.

I've read through a few teardrop builds and most get as far as getting the outside walls up and then things tend to stop there. The top skin and the ceiling make me the most nervous about building my own teardrop.

[Rusty O'Toole]

Trailer brake controllers are adjustable. Normally they have to be turned way down for a light trailer.

The subject came up on another BBS devoted to trailers. A couple of people who tow with vintage vehicles said they had no trouble using 12V electric brakes on 6V, they just had to turn up the controller a bit.

[randroid]

Ben,

One of the ways I put myself through college was building campers, which are essentially the same as trailers, and I came away from the experience thinking that they were all made by illegal aliens who were fed speed and paid piecework. There's nothing to making them, honestly. If there is a "trick" to them it would be to build them from the inside out because it gives you more room to work. If you have any specific questions about them either post them here or send me a pm.

-Randy

[55 Fargo]

Jon, open the wallet,and install disc brakes upfront,then tow trailers.

In your are with the mountain roads,you need the best brakes possible...

[JIPJOBXX]

You mean install disk brakes on the 42?

[55 Fargo]

You mean install disk brakes on the 42?

Only if you would want to Jon, Old daddy, I think makes the kits for the 42s.

You would have a lot more braking power for trailer haulin, in those Washington Hills.

Its only a suggestion, you know whats best for your usage.

I am not sure where you drive your car, on city streets, older 2 lane highways or the Interstates.

But if your haulin a trailer at higher speeds, that could be over 45mph in your case, on hilly terrain, with a lot of traffic, you will want the best in braking....