To brake or not to brake?

[howlinowl]

Dunno if the brakes on the cherokee are about the same as my Ranger, but my ranger pulls my taos around fine around town, until some a$$hole decided to pull in front of me, then all hell broke loose!  Ranger has anti lock on the rears only.  I had the fronts locked up and had them turned all the way into the left locks just trying to keep the SOB from Jackknifing...... I definatly am putting a brake control on it, and that is just driving in very flat Florida..... Dunno if I'd try the moutains even with the controller...

Allan

[DoubleD]

I am pulling a PU that weighs 1245 empty, maybe 1745 loaded.  I decided that for my peace of mind while I am trying to get away and relax for a few days, brakes and the best controller I can get is money well spent.  
PUP with all the accessories-$6000
Brake job on TV and Controller-$500
Protecting myself, those around me, and everyone's peace of mind-Priceless

[esclark]

get the brakes, be safe

[sandykayak]

Great timing....  I have a 6 cyl Toyota Highlander and have been towing the PU  (04 Qwest 8 U - 1,000 lbs empty) without any trouble in Florida.

Planning to go to West Georgia (John Tanner State Park) for Labor Day week and have been thinking maybe I should have brakes installed.

K&K RV charges $75/hour  (Camp-Out charges $85 and my dealer chargedme $90 last year).

I no diddly squat about this topic....could someone please give me a 1-2-3 guide on how to do this.

from previous comments above I have absorbed Camping World - Tekonsha Prodigy - brake controller.

Help, please.  Once I find the brake system I need, I can google for price comparisons.  K&K use the generic catalog.  Need to find out if I should buy from them and pay for the installation or (if there's a huge price difference) purchase it separately.

thanks

[mars00XJ]

I drive a 2000 Cherokee and will definitely be getting brakes on our pup when we get it.

Is it possible to get more info on adding the brake controller and wiring to the XJ? How hard would it be to complete this myself? Also, can I add brakes to the trailer myself?

Sorry for all the questions, kind of new to this.

Thanks.
John

[Arizona Native]

I drive a 2000 Cherokee and will definitely be getting brakes on our pup when we get it.

Is it possible to get more info on adding the brake controller and wiring to the XJ? How hard would it be to complete this myself? Also, can I add brakes to the trailer myself?

Sorry for all the questions, kind of new to this.

Thanks.
John

Sent you a PM.   Adding the brake controller is not a big deal.  Don't know about the trailer brakes.

[edwardr132]

What is a reasonable ball park price to pay to have brakes installed on a pop-up?

I currently own a 2000 Fleetwood Coleman Seapine that doesn't have any brakes on it.  

Anybody know when they started putting brakes on as standard features?

[AustinBoston]

What is a reasonable ball park price to pay to have brakes installed on a pop-up?

I currently own a 2000 Fleetwood Coleman Seapine that doesn't have any brakes on it.  

Anybody know when they started putting brakes on as standard features?

I believe all Coleman/Fleetwoods of that era had the backer plate on the axle, so you should not need a new axle.  I have heard of DIY's getting the parts for less than $100.  Having someone install them should be less than another $100.

With the 2001's, I believe Fleetwood started putting electric brakes on all their trailers.  Before that, they were optional, but standard on any unit with an optional hot water heater installed.

We never did figure out what that was all about, but if it came from Fleetwood and had a hot water heater, it had electric brakes.

Austin

[edwardr132]

How do I find out what parts I need if I want to try to tackle it myself?

I live in the Chicagoland area with lots of autoparts stores such as PepBoys.  Do you think they would have the parts I need?

[FuzzyOne]

This may answer a lot of questions for the DIYer.  I put it together a few years ago.

http://www.patmedia.net/jbevan/camping/brakes.htm

[evilspock]

Great link!
Thanks

[edwardr132]

Thanks for the link as well...


I just got a price quote on how much to install the brakes on my popup....


$500 for the brakes and $300 for the brake controller on my Van...   Pretty pricy considering the Popup cost me only 3K.....