towing 6X12 dual axle u haul trailer

[striperman1]

hi all! next month i am going to tow a 6' x 12' enclosed dual axle trailer from u-haul. they say it has surge brakes. anything i should know before i go? how efficient are the surge brakes? about 125 mi. each way. gonna be hauling furniture and household items for the in-laws. i have a 2008 rtx. thanks for any input.

[shovelhd]

I've towed that trailer loaded several times with no issues. As enclosed trailers go, it's pretty heavy. Load accordingly.

[ridgelinef4i]

Just read your trailer break controller manual for set up for surge brakes. If any adjustment has to be made is may be with the controller. But it is dependant on the weight of the tailer and your stuff in it determines the level of braking on the trailer. Just take it easy and leave pleanty of space in front of you...hard to do in NJ...

+1 to shovelhd, the U Hauls are all steel and very heavy trailers by themselves. Load accordingly to keep appropiate tongue weight.

[avenger]

Originally Posted by striperman1

hi all! next month i am going to tow a 6' x 12' enclosed dual axle trailer from u-haul. they say it has surge brakes. anything i should know before i go? how efficient are the surge brakes? about 125 mi. each way. gonna be hauling furniture and household items for the in-laws. i have a 2008 rtx. thanks for any input.

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Please post back here regarding your experience (including gas mileage). I'm sure many will find it interesting.

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[darkdisease]

towed that trailer from MD to NC about 550 miles had it as full as i could get it ( darn kids and there 20 boxes of stuffed animals ) . When going down the highway barely noticed it was there . Stopping was not that bad ether just give your self plenty of room to stop . Taking off is when you will know it is back there lol have to push the petal harder to get going . gas mileage was about 12-13 mpg never went over 55 mph and toke my time the ridge did very good on my trip i thought.

[wrenrj1]

What are surge brakes? And the RL doesn't come with a brake controller unless it's installed aftermarket correct? Am I missing something? Can I use question marks anymore? maybe?

[darkdisease]

you do not need a controller ( and yes they are aftermarket ) the trailer uses the 4pin connector. U-Haul: Towing glossary go down the page till you get to surge brakes tells you how thay work.

[csimo]

Originally Posted by ridgelinef4i

Just read your trailer break controller manual for set up for surge brakes. If any adjustment has to be made is may be with the controller. But it is dependant on the weight of the tailer and your stuff in it determines the level of braking on the trailer. Just take it easy and leave pleanty of space in front of you...hard to do in NJ...

+1 to shovelhd, the U Hauls are all steel and very heavy trailers by themselves. Load accordingly to keep appropiate tongue weight.

Surge brakes don't require any controller.

Surge brakes use a hydraulic cylinder near the tongue of the trailer. The harder the tow vehicle brakes the harder it pushes on the cylinder and the harder the trailer brakes are applied. A very simple setup, but braking performance varies greatly from trailer to trailer.

Many boat trailers are equipped with surge brakes as well.

[northernlights]

It can also be hard if you have to back up an incline.

[csimo]

Originally Posted by northernlights

It can also be hard if you have to back up an incline.

Yes, most of the more modern setups have a lock out for backing up an incline.