Question on towing with new truck.

[Chris B.]

I bought a Chevy Colorado and it is rated to pull 4,000 pounds. The only thing I will be pulling with it is a 2,000lb pop up trailer. Fully loaded with gear and people I don't think the truck would be loaded with much over 3,000lbs.

My question is does the pop up traler need it's own brakes or can the trucks brakes handle this load on their safely? The owners monuel says anything over 1,000lbs needs it's own brakes! I pulled this pop up trailer with my Sliverado and it braked just fine and the owner's manuel said trailers 1,500+ need their own brakes. My pop up does not have it's own brakes and I'm not sure they can be installed and I don't want to spent a bunch of $$ to do it.

Do they say 1000lbs need it's own brakes as a "CYA/cover your *** " statment? I just can't imagen the Colorado cant hanled stopping with a small 2000-3000lb load behind it!

Will it be safe to pull this trailer without it's own brakes? Thanks!!!

P.S. The Colorado has Front disc and rear drum brakes.

 

[mountravlr]

If the trailer has 2 axles, you are probably OK, except on a steep down grade and needing to brake hard. Even though you may be under max load, a single axle might cause problems on a hard brake situation, (jack-knife), no matter what the slope, even when operating in level braking.

 

[Chris B.]

It has 1 axle with 1 wheel on each side. I don't think they make pop up's with 2 axles but I could be wrong.

 

[c_rossman]

In Minnesota, Trailers heavier than 3500 pounds need trailer brakes. I wouldnt worry about it, Just take it easy and leave plenty of room infront of you.

 

[seotaji]

i wouldn't rely on your colorado to be able to brake the vehicle and while pulling a heavy load.

for your safety, i'd look into getting brakes added.

 

[Ugly3]

Chris B. - My question is does the pop up traler need it's own brakes or can the trucks brakes handle this load on their safely?

The key to you answer is your definition of "safely".

Most, if not all states require trailer brakes for all trailers 3,000 pounds or more. This is because if the inability of the towing vehicle brakes to effectivly stop with the added weight.

So what is safe to you. A 40% increase in stopping distance? A 60% increase in stopping distance? This is the area you are getting into.

How do you mitigate this problem? Slow down to increase reaction distance and reduce stopping distance.

I pull a 1,200 pound boat trailer with a Chrysler Town & Country Mini-Van (with the trailer towing package). Yes, the Van will stop but not nearly as well as without the trailer. Is it safe enough for me? Yes, but it is real near my limit of safety.

I drove a Chevy 1/2 ton pickup pulling a 3,500 trailer that had trailer brakes. What a difference! It was like there was no trailer on the back at all. It was a joy. My next boat trailer will have trailer brakes even if it is only 1,500 pounds.

Hopefully you will never have to find out if the SUV can stop "in time".

 

[Jakebrake]

Get brakes...it is a good investment in safety!

 

[Scooby]

Well, you live in Colorado. I've never been there, but I hear that y'all have some hills.

Secondly, realize this...if you are in an accident and even if it isn't your fault you can still be sued for improper vehicle operations since your owners manual clearly states you have to have trailer brakes.

Think of it this way...the couple of hundred for the trailer brakes and install is much less that the lawyer is gonna cost.

 

[Chris B.]

Yep the smartest thing to do is install brakes. What is a resonable price to have this done?

 

[Starbreaker666]

If i'm not mistaken here in Colorado it's 1000 lbs and you have to have t-brakes. Could be wrong. If you choose no brakes then MAKE **** SURE you come down hills in a lower gear. Let the engine help you brake and save the service brakes as much as you can.

 

[Chris B.]

I Bought the trailer and it was originaly sold in Colorado and it has never had brakes. I'll get it down to the dealer and see what they say. Thank you again everyone.

 

[cousincletus]

I wouldn't worry about not having trailer brakes. If the trailer needed brakes they would have been installed at the factory. VA law states 3500 pounds. I pulled a 2,000 lb. boat with an S-10 base model 4 cyl. 5 speed and it stopped OK without trailer brakes. I'm sure the Colorado has better or at least the same brakes as the S-10. Whenever you are towing you must slow down, leave yourself extra stopping distance and be more careful. You should try braking with the trailer on the new Colorado and see if there is any fade before you make your final decision.

 

[friendly_jacek]

quote:

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Originally posted by cousincletus:
I wouldn't worry about not having trailer brakes. If the trailer needed brakes they would have been installed at the factory. VA law states 3500 pounds. I pulled a 2,000 lb. boat with an S-10 base model 4 cyl. 5 speed and it stopped OK without trailer brakes. I'm sure the Colorado has better or at least the same brakes as the S-10. Whenever you are towing you must slow down, leave yourself extra stopping distance and be more careful. You should try braking with the trailer on the new Colorado and see if there is any fade before you make your final decision.

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I disagree, the trailer brakes are great not just for stopping or even short stopping distance but for EMERGENCY stopping. If you have to slam your brakes for some reason, especially down a grade or in a turn, heavy trailer without brakes will jack-knife your vehicle with grave effects.

Yes, my 3200 lbs subaru legacy's brakes did stop my 2000 lbs brakeless boat trailer without any problems, but I got trailer brakes ASAP for my safety (~$500 at trailer shope). So far, did not need them badly...

 

[HerkyJim]

If you were my lawyer and I got in a wreck because I couldn't stop in time, how would you defend me if was towing double the vehicle's manufacturer's recommended maximum? Is this simple negligence? Is this gross negligence? Perhaps reckless endangerment?

My $0.02

 

[Chris B.]

Tonight I got the chance to tow my 2,000lb trailer with my new Colorado. The Colorado handled the trailer like nothing was even behind it. I tried braking with different force several times and the truck stoped as if nothing was behind it. I was very happy with the way it performed. It really felt as if there was no extra weight at all! I will still look into brakes but if they are not avalible I have no doubt this truck will stop fast when needed.