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Old 05-24-2016, 02:35 PM   #1
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Electronic Brake Control - Help Needed

Hello,
I'm a newb here on the forum, so my apologies ahead of time if this question has already come up (I searched for it, and didn't see any results).

My wife and I are on the cusp of upgrading from a pop-up (which we have outgrown), to a gently used 27 foot Rockwood travel trailer. The seller recommended installing an electronic brake control system on my Trailblazer; I have been researching various systems online, reading reviews, etc, and now looking for your feedback as far as what is good or bad, cheap vs long lasting, etc.

This is obviously something that is very important to keep my family safe, so I don't want to go the cheap route. But again, I don't know if lower cost = lower quality with this type of part.

Trailer Brake Control at AutoZone.com - Best Trailer Brake Control Products for Cars, Trucks & SUVs
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Old 05-24-2016, 02:39 PM   #2
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http://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-90195...ake+controller
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Old 05-24-2016, 02:41 PM   #3
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I personally love my Tekonsha P3, I have no problems with it. I tow a 33 foot Forest River Salem with my F150 and could not ask for a better brake controller.
Good luck with what ever you do get.
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Old 05-24-2016, 02:43 PM   #4
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DON'T tow a 27' TT with a Trailblazer!

PLEASE research before you purchase the trailer.
TBS are notorious for being squirrely, due to their short wheelbase.
That's TOO much trailer for a Trailblazer.

Please post year/make/model of trailer so we can help you not to make a big mistake.
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Old 05-24-2016, 02:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
DON'T tow a 27' TT with a Trailblazer!

PLEASE research before you purchase the trailer.
TBS are notorious for being squirrely, due to their short wheelbase.
That's TOO much trailer for a Trailblazer.

Please post year/make/model of trailer so we can help you not to make a big mistake.
Trailblazer is a 2006 4x4, the owners manual tells me the towing capacity is 5200lbs.

Trailer is a 2003 Rockwood, model number M-8278. (Link below says 29', however the seller is adamant it is 27'). I asked him to measure it, he'll be getting back to me.

2003 Rockwood M-8278 Specs and Standard Equipment | NADAguides
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Old 05-24-2016, 03:22 PM   #6
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Guananteed you WILL BE OVERWEIGHT. By how much is the question. It is 4800 pounds dry that means no water, luggage, food, maybe propane, maybe battery, WDH, and changes the previous owner made but by time you add anything you are over 5200 no matter how hard you try to keep the weight down. I'm not saying you can't tow it but I am saying you WILL be overweight by a lot befor you even load it up.
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Old 05-24-2016, 04:29 PM   #7
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Guananteed you WILL BE OVERWEIGHT. By how much is the question. It is 4800 pounds dry that means no water, luggage, food, maybe propane, maybe battery, WDH, and changes the previous owner made but by time you add anything you are over 5200 no matter how hard you try to keep the weight down. I'm not saying you can't tow it but I am saying you WILL be overweight by a lot befor you even load it up.
The weight has been my concern ever since we laid eyes on the trailer. It's a lot bigger than I was expecting. When a trailer sticker inducates that the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) is X pounds, does that include any aftermarket things such as appliances, air conditioner…? The UVW of this particular model is 4810 lbs
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Old 05-24-2016, 04:32 PM   #8
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Old 05-24-2016, 04:35 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NatureBoy22 View Post
Trailblazer is a 2006 4x4, the owners manual tells me the towing capacity is 5200lbs.

Trailer is a 2003 Rockwood, model number M-8278. (Link below says 29', however the seller is adamant it is 27'). I asked him to measure it, he'll be getting back to me.

2003 Rockwood M-8278 Specs and Standard Equipment | NADAguides

I agree with the others your trailblazer is not up to the task . i've owned trailblazers a 2006 myself and no way will it handle well with the unit you are thinking about . to much TT for your TV . you'll be way over weight and the TB can not handle the TG weight
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Old 05-24-2016, 04:37 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NatureBoy22 View Post
The weight has been my concern ever since we laid eyes on the trailer. It's a lot bigger than I was expecting. When a trailer sticker inducates that the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) is X pounds, does that include any aftermarket things such as appliances, air conditioner…? The UVW of this particular model is 4810 lbs
That mean as it came of the factory floor. If it had a/c from the factory it would include that. If it was added after purchase it would not include it. It also most likely would not include the propane and tanks or anything else. If it says 4810 from the factory add several hundred pounds of gear like pots pans chairs patio rug etc. etc. and you are over 5500 easy. You tv rating also is not really 5200 pounds unless the truck is empty. By time you add people pets gas and gear in the truck then you are even farther over.
My UVW is 3800 and loaded not too heavy and not too light is 4300 roughly. 500 pounds with food and gear is easy to reach.
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Old 05-24-2016, 05:05 PM   #11
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The Mfg specs say the TT is 29'2" long and the dry weight is 4,586. In addition to being unsafe, you will be very uncomfortable towing it. Would love to have you as a new TT owner, but want you to enjoy it. Once you put normal camping equipment in the TT and TB and passengers, you will be overweight. In addition, if you do not have a brake controller, that means you probably do not have an OEM trailer package which means you don't have a aux trans cooler or trailer wiring.
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Old 05-24-2016, 05:09 PM   #12
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Thanks Bob - my TB has trailer wiring, unlikely about the trans cooler. Looks like we'll be using the pop-up a little while longer
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Old 05-24-2016, 05:43 PM   #13
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I towed my 19' toyhauler with a GMC Envoy. It was 4500# loaded (checked on a scale). I added a transmission cooler to keep fluid temperature down. The transmission fluid would run 160-180F while towing. The trailer was the max I would recommend to tow with that vehicle, both in weight and length. I towed at 60-65 mph. Any faster and cross winds from trucks would cause the trailer to sway (not uncontrollable, but an annoyance.)

If you add a transmission cooler and keep you trailer to ~19' it is very doable with a Trailblazer. I used a P3 brake controller which worked very good.
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Old 05-24-2016, 06:01 PM   #14
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As a side note; if you want to monitor your transmission temperature (and a lot of other parameters) I found the Torque Andriod App and an inexpensive bluetooth dongle (transmitter that plugs into the car computer diagnostic port) allowed me to monitor the transmission temp in real time.

It also allows you to read and reset the check engine light if it should ever come on.
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Old 05-24-2016, 09:18 PM   #15
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I appreciate all the feedback, we ended up passing on this TT due to overweight and safety.

What's the consensus on towing a 21' Rockwood Roo hybrid with my TB? UVW is 2732.
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Old 05-25-2016, 06:25 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by NatureBoy22 View Post
I appreciate all the feedback, we ended up passing on this TT due to overweight and safety.

What's the consensus on towing a 21' Rockwood Roo hybrid with my TB? UVW is 2732.
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Old 05-25-2016, 08:42 AM   #17
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That's more like it!

Now back to that brake controller. Tekonsha P2 or P3 is the way to go.
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Old 05-25-2016, 08:54 AM   #18
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You will need a new Tow vehicle for that trailer, You cant tow with that Period.
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Old 05-25-2016, 10:24 AM   #19
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You will need a new Tow vehicle for that trailer, You cant tow with that Period.

You must be referring to the original TT I was looking at? I've decided to pass on that due to the warnings and advice of the forum. 👍🏻
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Old 05-25-2016, 11:52 AM   #20
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Buy for the future

When you buy a new Tow Vehicle (note I did not say IF), do yourself a favor and buy more than you think you will need in the future. It leaves you a lot more options when you shop for the next TT and pulling with something larger will let you be more comfortable when towing. We bought a new GMC 1500 (not thinking about a future trailer) in 2013; the following year we decided to go RV'ing but were limited on what we could buy because of truck size. The GMC did pull the 35' Windjammer and did it very well, but now we are in the market for the next rig, a 5th wheel, and we have had to purchase a new TV. Following my own advise (I do not always listen to myself) we got a new GMC 3500HD, diesel, crew cab, dually. That should keep our options open! If you like camping and RV'ing, you WILL contract the "New Traileritus" disease. All the posters here are carriers, so be careful!
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