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Post by persimmonpal on Nov 21, 2011 11:43:01 GMT -5
Hi all,
I recently got a 65 Compact, and I was wondering about electric brakes.
My wife does not want to get an SUV or truck, so I was looking online, and Consumer reports came out with a list of the 10 best towing vehicles..
Believe it or not, the Hyundai Elantra was on there.. Its rated for only 1000 pounds with no brakes on the trailer, but with trailer brakes it is rated for 3600..
I would like to get the Elantra, but I don't know anything about electric brakes other than what I found on ebay.. They look pretty inexpensive, but how are they controlled? Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
-john
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offspringin
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Post by offspringin on Nov 21, 2011 13:29:09 GMT -5
Im no expert on this either. My dads suburban is equiped with the brake package. Its a small controller box that is mounted under the dash, its wired into the trucks brake system. I believe you would need to install the big 7 pin trailer connector on the the Elantra (or any tow vehicle as well). My Trailblazer comes with the 7 pin connector standard at the hitch but even it is not wired for brakes. Would need to add the brake controller to it. Our compact does not have brakes but the truck is rated higher than the car would be. Ill have to add that I am shocked that an Elantra would be able to tow it, doesnt seem like it should be able too, but you have done at least 100% more research into that than i have  |
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Post by persimmonpal on Nov 21, 2011 14:02:34 GMT -5
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offspringin
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Never question the engineer's judgement!
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Post by offspringin on Nov 21, 2011 15:44:44 GMT -5
that is amazing... i wonder what it feels like to tow with that. I feel like my truck gets pushed around a little and struggles up hills at interstate speeds. Just curious how towing does with that one. Thats a funny article, all these big trucks, big trucks, suv and then small sedan... lol. Keep us updated on what you get and how it works out. I posted on another thread on this site a photo of a Prius with a hitch we saw in Savannah. Guy cut out his bumper to install this self made style looking hitch. Maybe you can tow more with a Prius than i thought.... |
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offspringin
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Never question the engineer's judgement!
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Post by offspringin on Nov 21, 2011 15:48:05 GMT -5
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bob
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Post by bob on Nov 21, 2011 18:00:08 GMT -5
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Nov 21, 2011 19:53:17 GMT -5
Well, I'll be darned. We had started the thread about sedan towing, but since our '59 Compact doesn't have brakes, we never even thought about how they change the towing capacity. Duh. That, along with maybe a different hitch style, would go a long way to explaining all those little European cars towing trailers. I am now far less puzzled and far more embarrassed than I was about 15 minutes ago!
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Post by Bow_Tied on Nov 21, 2011 23:53:14 GMT -5
There are several types of electric brake controllers, I suggest you read up on them. I recommend one that brakes proportionally based on gyros or internal sensors rather than a pendulum or a timer as they are smoother, but any will work.
If you love running wiring around your vehcile then these aren't too hard to install. If you never done wiring on your vehicle it is a decent sized task to install a controller. You will need a decent gauge wire, likely 12Ga, run directly from your battery through the firewall to your controller (both pos and neg). You then need a signal wire tap in from the brake pedal's brake light switch. Then another 12Ga wire run back to the 6 or 7 pin connector. Be sure to route the wiring away from exhaust parts that get hot and avoid moving suspension parts.
Also a good time to consider running a wire from the battery directly to the back to the connector for 12V aux to the trailer.
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Post by persimmonpal on Nov 22, 2011 7:48:58 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info! The Etrailer site is great!
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Post by tbkillen on Nov 24, 2011 0:10:56 GMT -5
I've used both the manually adjusted kind and the self adjusting (gyro?) kind. The self adjusting ones work a lot better. They're worth the extra money.
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Post by tbkillen on Nov 24, 2011 0:21:38 GMT -5
My controller is a Prodigy P2. It works great. Also, a note on tow vehicles. If your buying a new vehicle, go ahead and get the tow package. Not just the hitch package, but engine and transmission coolers too. That adds tow capacity and makes a big difference on how the vehicle handles. I have two GM SUVs with the same size v6 motor. The one without the tow package struggles. The one with the tow package, you don't even know the trailers back there. I have a 15 foot airflyte I tow.
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Post by risgett on Nov 25, 2011 18:14:51 GMT -5
I'm probably gonna step on some toes here, but here it goes.
Can you tow with an elantra? Yes. Is it a good idea? NO
You will talk to people who have towed campers and other large trailers with small vehicles and say they have never had a problem, blah blah blah. But that still doesn't make it a good idea. I have towed all my life and tow regularly and I would strongly recommend not towing any camper with anything smaller than a midsize SUV or better yet a truck. I know these shastas don't weigh much, but neither does an elantra. You need a vehicle with enough weight and chassis to keep the trailer in check. It might seem to pull fine going down the road, but what is it going to do when you have to make an avoidance maneuver or emergency lane change? I've seen many wrecks caused by people pulling trailers with inappropriate tow vehicles. So my final answer on this is....it's not worth you and your familiy's safety to try towing with a small vehicle. Go by a cheap used truck or SUV to tow it. Just my two cents...
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Post by Bow_Tied on Nov 25, 2011 18:32:54 GMT -5
I agree. My controller is a Prodigy P2. It works great. Also, a note on tow vehicles. If your buying a new vehicle, go ahead and get the tow package. Not just the hitch package, but engine and transmission coolers too. That adds tow capacity and makes a big difference on how the vehicle handles. I have two GM SUVs with the same size v6 motor. The one without the tow package struggles. The one with the tow package, you don't even know the trailers back there. I have a 15 foot airflyte I tow. Which models do you have and which engine? |
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Post by diamondrelics on Nov 27, 2011 12:51:47 GMT -5
Coralee has electric brakes and I'm going to redo them. Trailer brakes are always a good idea.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Apr 22, 2012 19:12:25 GMT -5
You wouldn't want this to happen... www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfLnLwFcSBcAnd if you build your own system, don't forget the safety wire and battery that automatically engages the brakes if your trailer breaks loose. |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 22, 2012 23:54:48 GMT -5
Interesting video. The tow car isn't that big, but it's pulling about three times the weight of a Compact. We each have our preferences, but two things come to mind:
- No vehicle is going to be safe pulling any trailer unless the driver is paying attention and driving at a reasonable speed.
- If fuel prices continue to increase incrementally, and fuel economy continues NOT improve significantly, we will see smaller tow vehicles. It's time for US car makers to think and plan ahead.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Apr 23, 2012 7:16:55 GMT -5
3600 lbs? I like Edmunds, but they're dreaming, trailer brakes or not. According to wikipedia, the Elantra weighs 2660 lbs. I would never tow a trailer that both outweighed it by almost 1000 lbs AND had three times the surface area, that would just be begging for disaster. The minute it starts swaying, the trailer is driving, not the car. I wouldn't even want to tow something close to the car's weight unless it was a LOT smaller package. It would end up like this, lol: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyXgMal3C1U |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 23, 2012 10:55:10 GMT -5
I guess I took it for granted that drivers make sure their brains are fully engaged before towing anything. Good grief.
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Post by idqrocks on Apr 23, 2012 22:49:47 GMT -5
I have a 1962 Airflyte that I bought. I've only pulled it home so I can work on it after I bought it.
I noticed that it has electric brakes, but I'm unsure if they work. There are 2 wires coming from the trailer brakes, but they just stop at the hitch. Somone must of changed over the to the 4 wire type plug.
I'm pulling with a Dodge Ram and its got no problem stopping, but should I still hookup the brakes?
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Bob
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Post by Bob on Apr 24, 2012 5:39:34 GMT -5
Hey idqrocks, I'd say yes to the brakes. If your truck is set up with a seven pin plug on the back, then the hard part is done. If you have the plug, then you should have the wiring harness in the cab for the brake controller. Add a controller and a 7 pin cord to the trailer and you'll be a lot safer on the road. You can inspect the brakes when you repack your wheel bearings.
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Post by idqrocks on Apr 24, 2012 9:43:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Right now I only have the 4 pin trailer connector. But I will check on the factory plug under the dash.
I have 2 wires coming from the brakes. A white one and a black one. (It almost looks like house romex wiring.) Any idea which is which? Do I need both?
For electric brakes do you need a +12v wire AND the brake controller wire?
But you bring up another question.... How hard is it to repack the wheel bearings? Is there are instructions of how to do it and what to buy?
THANKS!
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 27, 2012 21:29:18 GMT -5
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Post by mleastland on Dec 3, 2012 16:42:30 GMT -5
I was just given a 75 compact that weighs right at 1200 lbs and was amazed such a light trailer had brakes. My half ton Chevy can pull it all day no problem without brakes but am going to get them working anyway. Better safe than sorry.
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soup
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Post by soup on Dec 4, 2012 15:08:21 GMT -5
You wouldn't want this to happen... www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfLnLwFcSBcAnd if you build your own system, don't forget the safety wire and battery that automatically engages the brakes if your trailer breaks loose. Or this either! www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwOqARlw1EIThe only things that kept the tow rig from flipping too was it's size and low speed in the construction zone. Just sayin  |
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Dec 8, 2012 3:33:38 GMT -5
I guess I took it for granted that drivers make sure their brains are fully engaged before towing anything. Good grief. Not always... Skip to 4:30: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZFCHk1XCDY |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Dec 8, 2012 13:04:48 GMT -5
Holy cow. This is the kind of driver who would be lost in the desert, no water, no food, have someone come by and stop and ask if he needs anything, and he'd say no. What's that old saying? Pride goeth before a fall. Oh yeah!
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Post by dragonfly on May 30, 2013 11:49:32 GMT -5
I'm just about ready to buy electric brakes for my 72 Shasta Compact. I have looked at the etrailer, this old trailer link posted here. It doesn't look real hard to do but I don't think I can tackle it myself.
The link listed the buy it now parts, a right hand and left side brake assembly. It also listed a drum brake assembly for 10 bucks more. The video was not for the drum assembly.
Question, Why was the drum assembly listed?
How much should I expect someone would do this for me and do I have to go to a brake specialist?
If it will cost a lot I may have to try it myself.
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Post by Bow_Tied on May 30, 2013 11:59:02 GMT -5
If you are seeking professional help I would go to any trailer shop. Doesn't have to eb an RV shop, a utility trailer shop should be able to handle electric brakes. In fact, they will likely be able to do it better than a car mechanic who would rarely if ever work on it.
Before you buy parts, check in with the trailer shop and bring your quotes for parts. They may be able to be competitive (or close) and then you have an easier warranty recourse.
If you decide to DIY, spend time on Youtube videos for install and repair. Make sure you get teh right tools to help, it is a big project but can be a DIY project. If it makes you uneasy, you can always drive slow to the trailer shop and pay for an inspection of your work.
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Post by dragonfly on May 30, 2013 16:51:30 GMT -5
Thanks bow-tied. That sounds simple, going to a trailer place but it didn't occur to me. There are several in the area, now I have an idea what to do.
Diane
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