I have a 2003 Escalade ESV with the factory towing package. I want to know a few things about connecting brakes and towing an enclosed car trailer. My buddy is loaning me his 24' trailer to use for the TRR in Daytona. Do I need a special high capacity Reese adapter to haul this setup? I pull a small boat and utility trailer but neither exceeds 2500# fully loaded. I've got a standard Reese adapter with a 2" ball. The trailer does not have the extra anti-sway bar hitch setup, just standard ball type. Also, the truck is all prewired with the large round connector to connect to a trailer, including electric brakes. I need to add a "brake controller" unit and I saw a few at Auto Zone this morning that connect under the dash to a factory pre-wired connector. Anything special to look for as far a brake controllers? I've never hauled a trailer of this size so any other info and suggestions would be appreciated!
Yes, you will need the "heavy duty" hitch setup, especially with an enclosed trailer behind you. Also, your 2" ball won't work...you'll need a 2 5/16" ball along with the equilizer bars and (possibly) sway control. The combined weight of the trailer and your car inside is probably close to 9000lbs. Also, please make sure you have trailering mirrors...nothing like not being able to see behind you. Please do this safe. There are a lot of people on the road trusting that you will.
I tow with one all the time. Take it to a trailer shop and get the sway bars installed along with the electric brake controller. The controller is the same as on a Chev. but it needs the proper connector. Only way to go with a 24 ft enclosed trailer.
The "Sway Bars" I am assuming are the bars that connect to the "V" of the trailer frame via tension chains and bracket? This is the type I am familiar with when I towed a small travel trailer. The connect at the hitch side via a special Reese adapter that has ears on it for the sway bars. I guess I take some pics of the trailer and then go to a tow shop for the extra safety of these enhanced towing connectors as well as the brake controller. I expected these suggestions but thought the board would be a great resource (as always) for the experts to comment. Thanks!!
I just called a local hitch shop. They are quoting me $550 for the hitch with weight distribution and sway bars as well as the brake controller. I didn't really want to spend almost $600 to borrow a trailer for the weekend......hmmmmmm. My buddy uses his 1/2 ton pickup with standard hitch to pull this setup. I will ask him if he has the "deluxe" hitch setup as well when I get together to look over the trailer. I don't want to be foolish but like I said, it's almost $600 to use for a weekend. I wonder if they rent?
Put it on an open trailer. You can rent one from U haul and you can hitch it to the Glade and go to the Turkey Run .
Your Escalade is on a Suburban chassis... you can tow a lot with it. I tow 10500 lbs. all the time (including today), with my 07 K1500 4WD. You'll be OK.
Rob, call over to Camping World there in Fart Myers, they have the stuff in stock... no matter what, you need the brake controller, get a Tekonsha Prodigy,,, GM has a small harness that plugs right under the dash to the right of the gas pedal and you splice in the controller right there and you can get that from the Chevy or Caddy dealer in town, adjust the dwell on the controller and your done... if you tow a box behind you get the Draw Tite or Reese hitch head and 750# weight bars. Get a 10,000# rated 2 5/16 ball.
I'll give them a call and see if they have the needed items. Brake controller I will get definitely. The weight distribution and sway bar hitch is a maybe at the expense I am seeing so far..... THanks!
