Towing a 1500lb camper trailer with hybrid?

[lumonix]

Did you put an aftermarket brake controller on your truck ? If so, did you have the truck re-wired or just use a 4 to 7 pin adapter. I am looking at a similar retro looking trailer. My new Hybrid will be here in two weeks !

I had a brake controller installed and a proper 7 pin connector so that the electroc brakes on the trailer work properly. It was less than $300 to get this done at U-haul.

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[Quinnman]

My Brake controller add on information:
After long winded explanation are pics of unit and my schematic showing the electrical connections of the project including the brake switch connections.
Note: I used a lighted toggle switch for power to Curt controller to prevent possible battery drain when sitting for periods of time. May not be necessary but wanted to be on the safe side.
On my 22 Maverick I bought a universal fit 4-way flat to 7-way RV blade and 4-way connector kit. I did not have to splice into factory wiring to get the 7 pin from the 4 way on the truck. The factory truck 4 pin plugs into the kit and the kit supplies a second 4 way pin and bracket.
I ran 2 wires from the rear of the Maverick to under the dash for the ground and brake output signal on the Curt brake controller. These 2 wires were routed under the trim on the driver's side and out to the back of the bed under the truck.
One of the 2 wires is used for the ground for the curt brake controller and the brake controller toggle switch light. It is grounded under the bed area of the truck to chassis ground.
The other wire was for the curt controller brake output signal (to pin 2 of the 7 pin trailer connector) for the trailer brakes.
To get the brake pedal signal to the Curt controller I made a jumper to tap into the brake pedal switch without having to splice into factory wiring.
This enabled me to use the output brake pedal switch signal pin 4 to supply the brake signal to the Curt brake controller. (see photo of jumper)
The jumper was a brake switch pigtail connector for the brake switch, and I added the male end by using 4 micro 2 fuse tabs (legs) to make the mating pins. The brake switch is the male end and micro 2 fuse legs are the same dimensions. I soldered the pig tail wires to them. I made a rigid connector using JB weld (non-conductive to hold the pins in place as a connector). I could not find anything online to get a mating male plug for the brake switch connection wiring so had to make my own.
Picture of the connector jumper attached. The splicing tap was done on the jumper so as not to risk any possible damage to the factory wiring of the brake pedal switch.
I used the spare fuse panel slot 24 (fused for 20 amps) on the passenger compartment floor and added a fuse tap and fused it with 15-amp fuse to power the Curt Discovery Brake controller. This supplies my Curt brake controller power.
I used the factory supplied flex bed connector with its 20-amp circuit to power the trailer 7 pin auxiliary 12 volts for charging the trailer battery (pin 4 of 7 pin connector). This makes it a separate circuit and eliminates the need to splice into any factory wiring.to the rear bumper area to connect the brake output signal wire from the curt controller and the other wire from chassis ground near the rear bumper to supply the ground for the brake controller and the ground for the indicator lamp on the trailer brake controller power switch.
I am including a wiring diagram I made of the circuit.
Also, I am including a picture of the 7 pin and 4 pin connectors mounted on the truck.
Hope this long-winded explanation is of some help to those wanting to add a brake controller to the Mav.

 

[GPSMan]

Nice.

A) I didn't want to mess with the brake switch (though that is a common method)

B) I didn't want to get a backache climbing under the dash

C) I tapped into the third brake lamp to signal the brake controller.

My brake controller is on a quick disconnect. So I disconnect it and put it in the house when it's not being used. So serves the same purpose as your disconnect switch.

 

[Quinnman]

Nice.

A) I didn't want to mess with the brake switch (though that is a common method)

B) I didn't want to get a backache climbing under the dash

C) I tapped into the third brake lamp to signal the brake controller.

My brake controller is on a quick disconnect. So I disconnect it and put it in the house when it's not being used. So serves the same purpose as your disconnect switch.

I hear you my back was killing me for a few days after from the under-dash work.

 

[EjayM]

Been towing my Scamp 13ft with zero problem fulltime for a couple months now. Barely know its there (other than MPG dropping to about 25-26 mpg).

My trailer weighs about 1550 lbs when empty. But I usually have the water tank filled and a bunch of stuff in there. So probably closer to 1700 lbs.

i also cary 20 gallons of water and gas in the trunk. Plus a gfc camper on top.

I do not have extra passengers though. Just me.

It seems to have absolutely zero problems with my setup.

Wow! That's the dream. You're driving the hybrid? How's your mpg without the trailer, with just the gfc?

I just picked up my hybrid lariat last week and I'm thinking about the gfc camper.

 

[Derwood]

Remember, the hybrid not only has a weight limitation, but also a frontal area of 20 sq ft as well. This pretty well limits it to tent trailers.

I would think that one could make sure they're a few hundred lbs less than the 2000 max towing to compensate for more square feet on trailer front? Any thoughts here folks?

 

[LSchicago]

The trailer is a 'pop-up', travel height of 54" and width of 82", approximate frontal area of about 30 sq ft. so it is over the recommended frontal area. The dry weight of 1500lbs will probably stay withing the 2000lb trailer limit.

For weekend trips within 100 miles, I would definitely go for it. If you are planning longer trip, it might be ok, or it may become a challenging drive.

We had a 2000 Windstar mini van with a tow rating of 3500lb and had a full height 19' travel trailer that weighed 3000-3500 lbs. The combination towed, handled and braked very well on local trips, BUT, on the highway it struggled to maintain highway speed, 60 mph. The one (and only) long trip was a nightmare. Toronto ON to Disney World FL, about 1200 miles, average fuel mileage of 4 mpg, the 25 gal gas tank only had a range of 175-200 miles and that was struggling to maintain 60 mph.

Ken

It's not the "travel height" You measure. It's the total width of the trailer times the height of the body from the bottom of the trailer frame to the top of the front edge. The area under the trailer is not frontal area.

 

[Wire4money]

I would think that one could make sure they're a few hundred lbs less than the 2000 max towing to compensate for more square feet on trailer front? Any thoughts here folks?

When drag has a far greater impact than weight. Besides, a lightweight high profile trailer is not going to be easily controlled.

 

[Robert C]

Been towing my Scamp 13ft with zero problem fulltime for a couple months now. Barely know its there (other than MPG dropping to about 25-26 mpg).

My trailer weighs about 1550 lbs when empty. But I usually have the water tank filled and a bunch of stuff in there. So probably closer to 1700 lbs.

i also cary 20 gallons of water and gas in the trunk. Plus a gfc camper on top.

I do not have extra passengers though. Just me.

It seems to have absolutely zero problems with my setup.

I've always towed my boats with other vehicles a little too heavy also. No problems.
I've even added transmission coolers.
But while adding things up is good, if you take your trailer to a truck stop weight scale it can be shocking how much it really weighs..

 

[dls235]

I've been considering a Rockwood 1940LTD for towing behind my hybrid. We have a bigger popup now but its to heavy for the maverick.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/rockwood-tent/1940LTD/7987

Just purchased a 2020 Rockwood Freedom 1950. Picking it up this weekend with my 2023 Maverick Hybrid and really excited. Getting a 4 to 7 pin converter and electric brake controller installed. Should be a great set up.

 

[Frank McGervey]

We are considering purchasing a Livin Lite Quicksilver XLP14 equipped with hydraulic surge brakes. Dry weight is 1500lb. How comfortable would you be towing with a hybrid?

Two adults + 2 kids + camping gear for weekends. I'd estimate people + cargo = ~600-700lbs.

We are pulling 1600 lb tent trailer. truck is full of camping stuff. Going across us
So far 26 mpg
I had U-Haul put on 7 plug on and went with a blur tooth connector
I don’t know why ford didn’t put on
It came with tow bar ect

 

[Frank McGervey]

Just purchased a 2020 Rockwood Freedom 1950. Picking it up this weekend with my 2023 Maverick Hybrid and really excited. Getting a 4 to 7 pin converter and electric brake controller installed. Should be a great set up.

We did same
I got u haul do do connector and they got me into a blue tooth brake control
So far great
Made it from ca to New Hampshire
Then taking a month to go back

 

[dls235]

We did same
I got u haul do do connector and they got me into a blue tooth brake control
So far great
Made it from ca to New Hampshire
Then taking a month to go back

That’s awesome! Glad to hear it’s going well. And you have a Hybrid too?

 

[dls235]

We did same
I got u haul do do connector and they got me into a blue tooth brake control
So far great
Made it from ca to New Hampshire
Then taking a month to go back

Another question for you: I’m trying to figure out what ball hitch I’ll need. If my measurements were correct today, the trailer coupler bottom and top of the inside hitch on the Mav were both about 19.25”. Accounting for the slight drop once the trailer is hooked on, I’m guessing I’ll need a ball hitch with a 1” rise? What’s working for you? Does that sound accurate?

 

[djsnowtiger]

Been towing my Scamp 13ft with zero problem fulltime for a couple months now. Barely know its there (other than MPG dropping to about 25-26 mpg).

My trailer weighs about 1550 lbs when empty. But I usually have the water tank filled and a bunch of stuff in there. So probably closer to 1700 lbs.

i also cary 20 gallons of water and gas in the trunk. Plus a gfc camper on top.

I do not have extra passengers though. Just me.

It seems to have absolutely zero problems with my setup.

This is my dream setup!

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