With the possibility of me trailering...

[1fastII]

My trip to KY puts me through the mountains of West Virginia. I will be sticking to the highway, so the slopes won't be TOO bad, but I've never towed anywhere but central piedmont NC. My trailer is an 18 ft'er and doesn't have trailer brakes. The tow rig is an 06 F250 6 speed running a tow tune that constricts the turbo vanes to create some backpressure. My brakes are in good working order. Should I be worried, or should I get some trailer brakes put on?

[svobud]

Should I be worried, or should I get some trailer brakes put on?

I would say no big deal as long as you dont push the speed and remember you'll need more stopping distance from the cars in from of you, but with it being you ... I think the public should be warned and certainly worried any time you come out of your bubble and mix with society.

[Mr. Pink]

so, does your trailer NOT have brakes or are you lacking a brake contoller? Either way, I would say get a braking system working on your trailer. Chances are your F250 can control the trailer; but what if you have to preform a panic stop? Its better to play it safe then take a chance.

[SVO4PWR2]

Whats wrong with a little out of contoll trailerwag

-RICH-

[SVOeric]

I've done it before with an SVO, it's not that big a deal, as long as you understand your stopping distance is doubled, and you compensate for it.

[Mr. Pink]

as long as you understand your stopping distance is doubled, and you compensate for it.

that's great....but you can't always predict what other drivers are going to do around you and your reaction & time...

don't take the chance if you can prevent it

[JTurbo]

that's great....but you can't always predict what other drivers are going to do around you and your reaction & time...

don't take the chance if you can prevent it

X2 - JT

[SVOeric]

exactly, which is why if you do it, and you get into a situation where there is traffic, or 'stupid people' that won't get out of your way, you have to recognize that, and adjust, so the stupid people don't cause your issues, no matter what they do.

[Ken Potter]

Trailer brakes? ABSOLUTELY

I had a couple of idiots whip it over in front of me cutting me off and then slamming on their brakes apparently for fun. This was coming down off the Tennessee plateau no less. I burnt the front brakes off of my old F150 even with trailer brakes.

There is no accounting for what other idiots can and will do out on the highway. If you were in an accident some lawyer might even try to prove negligence maybe?

CYA and get some brakes

[THESVOTRUST]

Consider a sway control with that short of a trailer!

Mark

[SVO4PWR2]

Consider a sway control with that short of a trailer!

F that let wag

-RICH-

[Henson]

Take it slow you'll be fine. Maintain your speed so the trailer does sway out of control. Put more weight up toward the front of the trailer so it doesn't get to happy on you. 250 has enough brakes. Make a couple of test brake runs when no ones around at 55 or 60 and see how it feels. This will tell you what to expect when the Jetta pulls out in front of you and slam on his brakes. Keep your runs a 65 +/- a few.

[1fastII]

I would say no big deal as long as you dont push the speed and remember you'll need more stopping distance from the cars in from of you, but with it being you ... I think the public should be warned and certainly worried any time you come out of your bubble and mix with society.

I'm excited to start towing someplace other than on my computer!

[1fastII]

Take it slow you'll be fine. Maintain your speed so the trailer does sway out of control. Put more weight up toward the front of the trailer so it doesn't get to happy on you. 250 has enough brakes. Make a couple of test brake runs when no ones around at 55 or 60 and see how it feels. This will tell you what to expect when the Jetta pulls out in front of you and slam on his brakes. Keep your runs a 65 +/- a few.

I was thinking the same thing. I haven't had to make a panic stop YET, but my primary concern was how much more stopping distance I will need and/or how easy it would be to lose control of the trailer on a downgrade should the need arise. Thanks for the help, guys!

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Maintain your speed so the trailer does sway out of control.

Sounds good to me, Live life to the fullest!