Why No OEM Trailer Brake Controller?

Your really only supposed to tow 80%. That's why they sell tents for the top. They should have put 6sp automatic and 4:30 gears in them and they would get mileage and tow well. I use Powerstop rotors and brakes on mine and don't need a trailer brake.

 

Why do the uninformed think a 6 speed transmission is needed for a broad powerband V6? Over the road tractors have gone to fewer transmission speeds in the name of efficiency as time has passed.

Your comment about the tow vehicle brakes negating the need for trailer brakes really shows your lack of experience.

I have towed more weight over more miles than most on here. 80,000# of live cattle for over 500,000 miles in all sorts of weather over all sorts of road conditions. I never wanted to rely on just the tractor brakes.

That 80% rule? Just another ruse by the vehicle manufacturers to get people to buy bigger and bigger vehicles for towing.

 

Well I have driven 4runners for 30 years and a higher gear ratio and more transmission gears will tow and get better mileage. Older Highlander with V6 gets better mileage than new 4cyl Highlander. I guess I just don't know anything about it. If I was hauling cattle I would probably want trailer brakes to , but more likely a truck for towing. I got 24mpg from my 97 with 4sp auto and 4:10 gears. I assume it's about the amount of CO2 your pumping out at certain speeds more than emissions and mileage is the reason. I would have liked the Tacoma 4:30 differentials in 5th gen. Wouldn't necessarily need more gears, but plenty of low end torque which is more important than horsepower in heavy 4wd and getting engine into more efficient operating range. They carbon up bad lugging around at 1300 rpm.

 

I would like to see you relying solely on your tow vehicle brakes during a panic stop in heavy rain or possibly a freak snow storm. You would soon become very familiar with your trailer as it passes you.

As far as lugging at 1300 RPM? Why in the world would you be doing that anyway? Are you towing in 5th gear at 50
MPH?

Interesting that you cite 24 MPG with a 4 speed auto and 4:10 gears.

 

I have and with AWD it's frigging amazing how fast it stops. I stop faster than most cars. I have never needed trailer brakes to tow anything I tow. I don't know why you are worried about it since you already know. I do to for my needs.

 

Now you are contributing all-wheel drive to stopping with a trailer that has no brakes?

It's clear you have a very poor grasp of physics so I will leave it at that.

 

It's apparent you are ignorant of AWD system and things in general, but hey you know everything so I don't understand why you're here.

 

Facts. I have a 2015 that i tow a 2023 187bhsk. Added Brake Controller ( REDARC ) Just added Sumo Springs ( helps alot as far as comfort ) WDH, all proper towing Accessories. Yea we're not winning any races, but we get there.

 

It's ludicrous to think whether a tow vehicle is 2WD, 4WD or AWD has ANYTHING to do with braking.

Seems that you are the one that (thinks he) knows everything.

I would be willing to think that I was pulling 80,000 of cattle with 400 HP Cummins and 13 speed Road ranger transmissions before you were done crapping in your diapers.

 

I'm sure it does if you need it for what you are hauling. More brakes can only help. I stop fine towing 5k or less and I don't need them. I can understand why if you're towing like that in a 4runner. I see a 4runner here towing a food trailer and ass dragging the ground.

 

Semi rigs have a lever to apply the trailer brakes without the tractor brakes. There's a reason for that. The reason is that one should never rely on the tow vehicle brakes for stopping in low traction situations. Apparently your 4RUNNER does not have to live by the laws of physics.

Have you ever heard of jackknifing? Have you ever slid down a long grade at 60 MPH with the trailer tandem brakes locked because using the foot brake would jackknife the rig? All the while shifting up gears because the engine compression was also causing a jackknife. I have and it was something that you never forget.

 

Fully agree, I’ve had truck campers, towed 5th wheels, toy boxes, and travel trailers now for 40 years and some at the manufacturer tow rating which I will never do again.
I think Manufacturers rate their vehicles on flat ground with a naked anorexic driver all by himself.
IMHO, if you plan to tow in the mountains, 80% is the absolute maximum you should go with a fully loaded/outfitted trailer.

Edit, I disagree about trailer brakes. Maybe if you are doing 10mile 45mph dump runs with a utility trailer it might be fine but once you get over 1,500# at highway speeds it is trailer brake territory.

 

I hauled my 97 after total pulling tandem trailer with my 98 and with overdrive off it pulled fine. Even my neighbor commented on it. I went to tow with this one and I didn't see anything in manual about O/D lockout or anything. I usually use 4th manual depending on weight. 4th and 5th bands aren't designed to pull, but I didn't have an issue

 

There is a legal issue to think about, if you are involved an injury accident you could be hung out to dry for negligence even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

 

I have never needed for what I tow but I understand why. Can only help. I don't need for 5k or less.

 

In CA, it's the law. Doesn't matter the tow vehicle.

These threads are always fun to read on my break.

 

In most states a trailer brake is required above a certain weight. Its far below 5000#.

http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws.html

 

I don't like being tailgated by a guy with no brakes, including myself.

 

hahaha.. imagine if your trailer becomes detached from your tow vehicle....how are the tow vehicle's brakes going to stop that trailer now?

 

Right! So along with the trailer brake argument... let's start a break-away kit argument. lol

 

Breakaway brakes are standard equipment on newer trailers.

 

Excerpted from NJ Title 39, Section 39:4-54