RobertN
Super Member
I looked closer this morning. This is data from the Dodge/Cummins owner manual, 2001. This book covers 2500 and 3500 series Dodge trucks(3/4 and 1-ton). From pg152 and 168:
"Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1000lbs(454kg) and are required for trailers in excess of 2,000lbs(907kg)."
1000 lb recommended, and 2000 lb required weights are pretty low. To give a relative example, my '01 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 long bed is specced for a max trailer weight of 11,300 lbs. Niether the book nor my truck list the curb weight. I was on a scale a few weeks ago though. With ~400lbs in the back, and the 1600lbs of my 16' flatbed trailer, I weighed at 8850lbs. So, that puts my curb at about 6800lbs.
This is a guess, but I would think that the Ford and GM offerings are similar. No idea on the Mazda/Nissan/Toyota.
As far as brakes go, mine was soooo simple to hook up. The truck has trailer package, with a 7-wire plug at the back. It came with a wiring connector for the brake controller. I hooked the four wires from the connector to the brake controller, and I was up and running. My neighbor has a 2000 Chevy 1/2 ton Z71 that was the same way. It took him just a few minutes to hookup and install the controller. I know the Ford is the same way too. Again though, I do not know about the newer Mazda/Nissan/Toyota.
On my old '89 Ford F250, I ran the wires. It was pretty simple. The turn signals and brake lights were simple; I got a 7-wire plug-in adapter from Checker/Kragens auto. It "T'd" in at a existing wire harness connector at the back of the truck. That got me lights. For the brakes, I had to run power and ground from the battery to under the dash, a wire from the dash to the rear of the truck, and a short wire to the brake switch under the dash. While I was at it, I also added a Charge line, and connected to backup lights.
It did take a little while to do a clean, factory like installation. But, while towing a different 16' flatbed with the Kubota on it, I was glad I did it. I hauled a two horse trailer too, so I really had to have it anyway.
"Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1000lbs(454kg) and are required for trailers in excess of 2,000lbs(907kg)."
1000 lb recommended, and 2000 lb required weights are pretty low. To give a relative example, my '01 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 long bed is specced for a max trailer weight of 11,300 lbs. Niether the book nor my truck list the curb weight. I was on a scale a few weeks ago though. With ~400lbs in the back, and the 1600lbs of my 16' flatbed trailer, I weighed at 8850lbs. So, that puts my curb at about 6800lbs.
This is a guess, but I would think that the Ford and GM offerings are similar. No idea on the Mazda/Nissan/Toyota.
As far as brakes go, mine was soooo simple to hook up. The truck has trailer package, with a 7-wire plug at the back. It came with a wiring connector for the brake controller. I hooked the four wires from the connector to the brake controller, and I was up and running. My neighbor has a 2000 Chevy 1/2 ton Z71 that was the same way. It took him just a few minutes to hookup and install the controller. I know the Ford is the same way too. Again though, I do not know about the newer Mazda/Nissan/Toyota.
On my old '89 Ford F250, I ran the wires. It was pretty simple. The turn signals and brake lights were simple; I got a 7-wire plug-in adapter from Checker/Kragens auto. It "T'd" in at a existing wire harness connector at the back of the truck. That got me lights. For the brakes, I had to run power and ground from the battery to under the dash, a wire from the dash to the rear of the truck, and a short wire to the brake switch under the dash. While I was at it, I also added a Charge line, and connected to backup lights.
It did take a little while to do a clean, factory like installation. But, while towing a different 16' flatbed with the Kubota on it, I was glad I did it. I hauled a two horse trailer too, so I really had to have it anyway.
