Recommended Trailer Brakes And Hubs For 3500 lb Trailer Axle And Brake Controller For 2006 Silverado

Question:

I have a 2006 Chevrolet silverado 1500 with Super-Springs part# SSA8MTKT that I will be using to tow my 6x12 enclosed trailer 1,000mi for a move. I will be right at the 2990 gross weight for the trailer with 400lbs tongue weight and the truck will right at its 7200lb gross weight including the 400lb tounge weight. with all the weight in the truck bed being in front of the rear axle. This will put my GCWR at approximately 10,200lbs. I cannot find any information in the vehicles manual listing a maximum GCWR without trailer brakes. I believe I will have sufficient weight on the truck and in the right place to negate the need for a weight distribution setup with this small trailer and legally my 2990 gross trailer does not require trailer brakes however, my concern is whether or not my trucks brakes are sufficient for my approx 10,500 GCWR without the help of trailer brakes

asked by: Jordan W

Expert Reply:

Brakes are required on all wheels for all trailers with a gross weight over 3,000 lbs. The gross weight of any trailer without brakes should not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle. Your owner's manual will have the towing capacities, but not the braking capacities. It is assumed that you will have trailer brakes above that 3,000 lb weight. You may be legal to haul at this rate, but I recommend you put brakes on your trailer to keep you and other people safe over that 1,000 mile journey. The SuperSprings will help tow level and help evenly disperse the load, but they will not increase your capacity.

Assuming you have a 3500 lb axle, the Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs, # AKEBRK-35R-SA you asked the question from along with the left side # AKEBRK-35L-SA, would be paired with Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 3,500-lb Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2, # AKHD-545-35-K. Then you use 10 gauge wire, like the # 10-2-1 sold by the foot to run the wiring to the tongue of your trailer and use a junction box and cord like the etrailer 7-Way Molded Trailer Plug with Junction Box - # HS381-9000.

On your truck, I recommend the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires, # ETBC7 if you need a 7-way and brake controller. This will give you the wire, the connectors and the circuit breakers to complete that necessary wiring. For a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195. This will give you a proportional brake controller that will apply the brakes on your trailer with the same force as you apply the brakes on your truck. It has an easy to read LCD display that will take the codes deciphering out of the picture for your trip.

If you have a factory tow package in your truck, then you will only need the wiring harness # 3015-P to install your brake controller and make a 7-way trailer connector functional. If you need the 7-way on a Factory tow package vehicle, I suggest the Pollak 7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket w/ Mounting Bracket - Vehicle End, # HM40975.