Photography by Harry Wagner
Last month we shared what to look for in a trailer and how to load it (https://www.4wheelparts.com/the-dirt/everything-you-need-to-know-about-car-trailers/), but we didn’t cover upgrades you should make to your tow rig in order to maximize safety and comfort on your way to the trail. We have seen Samurais towed by one-ton dually trucks, but more often we see the other end of the spectrum where Tacomas, Jeeps, and half-ton trucks are towing loads that exceed the capabilities of the vehicle. Often the first thing we think of is having enough horsepower to accelerate with a load behind our vehicle, but that is actually less important than being able to safely maneuver on the road and stop at a safe distance.
Pro Series adjustable ball mounts are available in dual, tri-ball, and pintle configurations to cover all of your bases. Each fits a 2-inch receiver and is rated up to 14,000 pounds, with an adjustable height up to 10.5 inches. Dual (2 and 2-5/16-inch), tri-ball (1-7/8, 2, 2-5/16-inch) & pintle mount options all feature an adjustable cast shank, knurled bolt pin(s) with a secure lanyard.
Hitches
Most trucks come with a 2-inch receiver hitch that ties into the frame at the rear of the vehicle. If your vehicle did not come equipped with one from the factory, they are available from companies including Curt, Draw-Tite, and Reese. You will also need to add wiring for a seven-pin connector to allow for brake control. A four-pin connector will only allow the lights on the trailer to work with your turn signals and lights, but not allow for any brake control.
A weight distribution hitch alters the point where the load from the trailer is transferred to the vehicle. When a trailer is connected to a tow vehicle, there is an increase in the weight at the vehicle’s rear. This added force can change how the vehicle handles due to an imbalance of weight between the front and back of the vehicle. When this imbalance isn’t addressed, it can result in trailer sway as the vehicle and trailer are in motion. Rather than the weight being centered on the point where the trailer and vehicle connect, the weight distribution hitch distributes the weight across the axles of the vehicle and trailer.
The hitch itself should fit in the 2-inch receiver (or 2 1/2-inch in newer heavy-duty trucks) and provide the proper drop to allow the trailer to sit level when it is loaded. The ball size on the hitch should match your trailer, typically this is either a 2-inch or 2 5/16-inch ball. If you find yourself towing different trailers at different times, an adjustable drop hitch with multiple balls will ensure that you always have the right hitch for the job. These hitches can be expensive though, so we recommend a locking hitch pin as cheap insurance.
The CURT TriFlex Brake Control is so named for the triple-axis (x, y, z axes) accelerometer to sense the inertia of your vehicle, allowing it to apply the perfect amount of brake power for safe, efficient stops. The TriFlex proportional brake controller features a digital display, automatic leveling and calibration and can be used with up to four axles.
Brake Controllers
Trailer brake controllers send power to a trailer’s braking system when a driver applies the brakes in a tow vehicle. Most car hauler trailers come with brakes on at least one axle, if not both. You will definitely want to take advantage of this feature, particularly if your tow rig is relatively light or has marginal brakes. Time-delayed brake controllers are the least expensive and work by activating the trailer brakes with a prescribed amount of power for a discrete amount of time. You can onset delay, power level and length of braking application to match the demands of a load, the frequency a vehicle is used for towing, and your driving style.
A proportional brake controller uses an accelerometer to sense braking intensity and deliver a proportional level of power to the trailer brakes. This response keeps the tow vehicle and trailer working together in light, heavy or sudden braking situations. They offer better performance than time-delayed controllers, but the trade off is that they are more expensive and can be more involved to install. If you are putting your pride and joy on a trailer though, we feel that the increased price of a proportional brake controller is well worth it.
Oftentimes the bump stop and air bag want to share the same space, but Air Lift has an elegant solution to that problem. Packaging is always an issue under a vehicle, and Air Lift helps simplify the suspension by integrating a jounce bumper into the LoadMaster 5000 Ultimate air bags. And the jounce bumper functions regardless of how much air is in the system.
Air Bags
Many new trucks are comfortable enough for daily driving during the week and can be used as a tow rig on the weekend. The issue with this is having a suspension that is supple enough for a smooth ride when the truck is unladen, but doesn’t squat when you add tongue weight in the form of a trailer, particularly one with your 4×4 on it. Air bags provide the best of both worlds, allowing the use of soft springs for daily driving with the air bags empty, but keeping the vehicle level and providing additional support to the rear suspension when air is added to the bags. How much air will depend on the load and the application, typically you want the tow rig to be level when it is going down the road.
We set up our air bags with Schrader valves that come out of the rear bumper at the license plate. This requires an external air source to fill the bags but it is a simple and discrete solution. Also notice the seven-pin wiring connector that goes to the trailer and is routed safely to keep it from rubbing or dragging.
Firestone offers a mounting plate to affix their Air-Rite air compressor and Air Command ECU to your frame with u-bolts. The Air Command ECU is well sealed from the elements and acts as the “brains” for the wireless control system so you can control the pressure in your air bags from the comfort of your cab. The Air Command has a plug for the wiring along with four ports; one for input from the compressor, two that are routed to the air bags, and a fourth port for exhaust (purging the air in the system).
If you use your tow rig for more than just pavement, consider using these Daystar Air Bag Cradles when you mount your bags. Normally the air bags are solidly mounted to the frame and the axle, but too much articulation can tear the bags. The Daystar cradle allows the axle end to float and is tapered to center the air bag.
Flat towing is a great option if you don’t have a trailer. This folding tow bar from Smittybilt is light weight, easy-to- install, and features a 5000-pound capacity and adjustable arms. It easily connects and disconnects from the bumper mounting brackets by two pull pins folds for compact storage. The quick-latch coupler fits 2-inch trailer balls.
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