Do I need a brake controller?

[ndaniel7]

Ok I have a 2000 Jeep GC. I have to get a hitch on my jeep. Now the only thing I plan on towing with it would be a pop up trailer and a motorcycle/ATV Trailer. Do I need a brake controller for any of these items? Now the pop up trailer does have brakes on it. But will it hurt anything if I end up not getting a braker controller? I know I can always get one put on later if I absolutley need one. But the price difference for having one installed is about a 200 dollar difference. Anywho thanks for your help.

[dksob81]

You do not need the brake controller but having it will be easier on your jeeps brakes, then your jeep is not taking the entire load of the camper when stopping.

[mikieem]

Originally Posted by ndaniel7

Ok I have a 2000 Jeep GC. I have to get a hitch on my jeep. Now the only thing I plan on towing with it would be a pop up trailer and a motorcycle/ATV Trailer. Do I need a brake controller for any of these items? Now the pop up trailer does have brakes on it. But will it hurt anything if I end up not getting a braker controller? I know I can always get one put on later if I absolutley need one. But the price difference for having one installed is about a 200 dollar difference. Anywho thanks for your help.

You don't "need" a brake controller really. I towed a 26 ft. Travel Traler with my 93 GC 5.2L with no problem. Basically all the brake controller does is when you step on the brakes, it also applies the trailer brakes, most controllers are adjustable. Now the advantage is since you have a pop up is that when you have to make sudden stops, without a controller the trailer is still trying to go. That will reduce your stopping power. Now with the controller, if you get one with it, you can us the brakes on the trailer to slow down the jeep. Now if you do a lot of camping as I do, you know how people are on the roads when it comes to being behind a trailer and they have to be first. So I would recomend a controller just to be on the safe side, only because if someone stops short, you will just rear end them. Now I only used the jeep for a year until I got an '01 F-150 to do the towing and th ejeep for playing. But with the jeep and a 5,000 lb trailer without brake control, I just downshifted manually and took my time but if you don't want to do that then I would say get one. A good controller cost about $80 and if you are a decent mech. or electrician, you can wire it yourself since early year jeeps you had to splice it in. Luckly the ford came with a plug and wire harness to just plug the controller into. Well hope this clears your mind up a little. P.S. If you don't have a hithc on it, first thing I would look to see is if it has a trnny cooler on it. It might not so if not, make that the first step.