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Old 04-30-2019, 07:42 PM   #1
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Brake Controller WD hitch

Too many choices! I am looking to get a 3900 lb gross total weight trailer (GeoPro) to be towed by a 2012 Nissan Frontier with GVWR of 5730. Combined weight allowed is 11,135. I don't want to get stuck with the dealer's overpriced equipment.

How do I figure out how much brake controller and WD hitch I need (ie trying to be cost effective but safe). Any recommendations for brands?

Thank you, new to rv, tow a boat but not heavy enough to warrant brakes.
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Old 04-30-2019, 07:51 PM   #2
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I really like my Prodigy P3 brake controller. It's a digital proportional unit and would work well for your application.

Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P17NXQ..._sXoYCb8BKRMRZ

For a weight distribution hitch we may need more info.. do you know what the tongue weight is on that trailer? The standard assumption is 10%. However, it can vary.

I really like the trunnion style hitches. I've had two.. a Reese and a Fastway E2. I think both are available for your camper.
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Old 04-30-2019, 07:56 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by 007matman View Post
I really like my Prodigy P3 brake controller. It's a digital proportional unit and would work well for your application.

Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P17NXQ..._sXoYCb8BKRMRZ

For a weight distribution hitch we may need more info.. do you know what the tongue weight is on that trailer? The standard assumption is 10%. However, it can vary.

I really like the trunnion style hitches. I've had two.. a Reese and a Fastway E2. I think both are available for your camper.
Thank you,
the hitch weight is 413, max tongue is 500 on the receiver and 600 on the hitch
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Old 04-30-2019, 08:01 PM   #4
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This is similar to the one I was using on my pop-up.. i never had an issue with sway.

Reese 66559 Steadi-Flex Trunnion Weight-Distributing Hitch Kit with Shank-10,000 lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B9K4TBK..._98oYCb58GYQZH

I think mine was rated for 6k.

Edit.. this is a little closer to the mark.. Reese 66558 Steadi-Flex Lw Wd 400-600# https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJX1OTS..._jipYCbAD0RPSC
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Old 04-30-2019, 08:02 PM   #5
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I really like my Prodigy P3 brake controller. It's a digital proportional unit and would work well for your application.
X2
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Old 04-30-2019, 08:08 PM   #6
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BTW.. you're going to get a ton of different thoughts on this.. anywhere from what I've shown here on up to $2500 hitches.. good luck. They get pretty passionate about this subject.
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Old 04-30-2019, 08:47 PM   #7
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I lived in California when I bought my Prodigy P2 and Equal-i-zer WDH from RVW. Free shipping and great customer service.
You should check them out for the Fastway E2 and Prodigy brake controller.
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Old 04-30-2019, 09:11 PM   #8
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BTW.. you're going to get a ton of different thoughts on this.. anywhere from what I've shown here on up to $2500 hitches.. good luck. They get pretty passionate about this subject.
Passion is good, I'm just trying to not take the overkill route. I wouldn't think too much high end stuff needed for smaller trailers?
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Old 04-30-2019, 09:22 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Puckhawg31 View Post
Passion is good, I'm just trying to not take the overkill route. I wouldn't think too much high end stuff needed for smaller trailers?
Probably not but someone will try and make the case LOL.

The nice thing about the trunnion style hitches is the sway control is built in. I would highly recommend that with a lighter capacity vehicle on P-RATED tires.
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Old 05-01-2019, 02:55 PM   #10
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Brake control/WDH

I have had several. I prefer the Equal-i-zer WDH w/ nylon pads on the bar rests. W/ the pads ($20) it does not sound like you are crushing rocks as you turn in the campground. We did two 3500 mile trips w/ Tundra and 275vls Flagstaff 7300 lb. This is about max for my truck w/ cargo. I believe the Fastway is a less expensive clone, very close in looks. I use the Prodigy 3 brake controller, it is digital and operates off your brake pedal pressure. They make wire plugs that will plug into your fuse box from the unit, pretty easy. The best price I found was from E-Trailer.com and they were very helpful. On the WDH you may have to borrow a torque wrench or pay trailer shop to install the hitch ball for you. If I remember 430 Ft. Lbs. Also get one that is rated slightly higher capacity than what you need. I bought mine (10k-1k tongue) to match the dry weight MFG. amount (WRONG) 830 lb. actual is 1075 loaded. One drawback to Equal-i-zer in my base, you have to buy new head and bars to go up in weight capacity.
Once you get it loaded, mark tires on both sides w/ a chalk line. Drive through a parking lot w/ trailer attached and stop from 20 MPH while someone watches chalk line. Be patient and repeat. You want to turn up brake adjustment until trailer tires skid. Then back it off to where it does not skid. Better to back off a little extra to adjust for gravel roads. Controller iilii hold your setting, but I write it in glove box incase.
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Old 05-01-2019, 03:06 PM   #11
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I'll add another vote for the Prodigy P3 and suggest that you look at the Andersen WDH. It's about 50 lbs lighter than other WDHs. With a smaller truck, that 50 lbs will be important.
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Old 05-01-2019, 03:11 PM   #12
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OP,

I agree with statements re: the Tekonsha Prodigy3 brake controller...a fine unit.

I would also suggest a Blue Ox SwayPro with 550# spring bars...IF your tongue weight is indeed 413# as you have said. If that is the listed tongue weight of a dry trailer, then you should expect more tongue weight once loaded. The 550# bars would probably still be fine once loaded. The only way to know for sure is to load up and measure.

I suggest you check your CCC on your tow vehicle to make sure you are within specs once loaded with people/gear...including your tongue weight.

Good luck.
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Old 05-01-2019, 03:36 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by CurtPutnam View Post
I'll add another vote for the Prodigy P3 and suggest that you look at the Andersen WDH. It's about 50 lbs lighter than other WDHs. With a smaller truck, that 50 lbs will be important.


What he said. Running the same setup
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Old 05-01-2019, 04:03 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Puckhawg31 View Post
Too many choices! I am looking to get a 3900 lb gross total weight trailer (GeoPro) to be towed by a 2012 Nissan Frontier with GVWR of 5730. Combined weight allowed is 11,135. I don't want to get stuck with the dealer's overpriced equipment.

How do I figure out how much brake controller and WD hitch I need (ie trying to be cost effective but safe). Any recommendations for brands?

Thank you, new to rv, tow a boat but not heavy enough to warrant brakes.
puckhawq31
I have an epro 19fbs which is like the geo pro and tow with a Honda ridgeline. Get the Tekonsha p3 brake controller. I had the dealer install a Curt WDH with sway that is for 600# tongue weight.
TC
https://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contr...ml#ymm/1/years and they probably have a video of how to install it. Just get the wiring harness for your specific truck.
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Old 05-01-2019, 04:27 PM   #15
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The P2 does everything the P3 does for a smaller trailer without the fancy display, and costs significantly less. I'm very happy with the P2, having upgraded from an Escort brake controller.

I adjust the braking effort so that the trailer and minivan seem to brake as one. The trailer does not pull the minivan back, and does not push the minivan when brakes are applied.

just my experiences
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Old 05-01-2019, 04:53 PM   #16
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Nobody mentioned the Andersen WD hitch. It's lightweight, has built in sway control and easy to hook up. Price is right, too.
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Old 05-01-2019, 05:32 PM   #17
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Nobody mentioned the Andersen WD hitch. It's lightweight, has built in sway control and easy to hook up. Price is right, too.
It was mentioned in post #11 and #13.
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 05-02-2019, 06:29 AM   #18
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im a tekonsha prodigy fan (one in each tow vehicle)

As for hitches I am a reese Strait line user. I like that the sway doesn't rely entirely on friction but force resistance.
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