Rookie Trailer Questions from New Owner

[Machine154]

Sorry for the total rook questions, but I just picked up my first trailer today.

The trailer is 2020 lbs and rated for 7000. This leaves 4980 and my rig is currently 4780 (200 lb wiggle-room) and I still have a plastic rear bumper. The dealer said that you can subtract off the tongue weight and load the trailer more. Is this truth or salesman-BS?

The wiring harness only goes to one side for the brakes and I don't see how it gets to the other side for those drums. How does it work? Is it somehow in the axle tube?

Reading the manual makes it look like trailers require a lot of maintenance - is it for real?

My neighbor got a good laugh I'm sure as I was looking like a jackass backing it into my drive. He's a contractor of some sort and had to wait on me. It has been quite a number of years since I trailered and it seems I lost my skills.

[oldenginebuilder]

Originally Posted by Machine154

The dealer said that you can subtract off the tongue weight and load the trailer more. Is this truth or salesman-BS?

Sort of true, in my mind. If the tires together are good for 7K, and the axle is good for 7K, then load it until the scale says the trailer is 7K. But if you adjusted your hitch height so the trailer is level when loaded, then there should be 700# on the back of the tow vehicle. Add this up, it's 7700#
However, following this must be tempered with good judgement: Is the trailer over-built, or flimsy? How are the welds?
If you load it and tow it, while adjusting the electric brakes ( before setting off ) it will be easy to tell if the trailer brakes are working on one side or both sides. I believe they can and do run wiring through some axles, but I've only ever seen separate wires to each side, though I have seen the right wire meeting the left wire inside the left brake housing.
Re-learning backing is necessary, but if you're really blocking lots of heavy traffic, and someone more experienced is available, then let them help while you spot, or at least ask them to spot for you.

[92 s dime]

when backing up grab the steering wheel at the bottom and move your hand to the side you want to go
once you remember this its alot easier

[ramv]

I typically wouldn't recommend a 7k trailer for wheelers. More of a race car type or small buggy trailer. Small bearings, wheels and tires, you can get by, but yes, you will need to do more maintenance. I would pull the bearings at 500 miles and repack (since they typically are poorly done originally) and reset the torque. After that, every 10k miles or yearly. Not sure on your brake dilemma, all of mine have had wires running to all four wheels.

[Phat95YJ]

Is it true the bigger the trailer the easier they are to back?

[jwwaldschmidt]

Originally Posted by Phat95YJ

Is it true the bigger the trailer the easier they are to back?

Define "bigger"

I can back a 20' car hauler easier than I can an ATV trailer, only because I can see it and it has some weight to it.

On the other hand, I can back a 20' car hauler much easier than a 30' camper, especially in tight spaces, because it's 10' shorter.

Longer wheelbase helps, absolutely. Tandem axle trailers will also be easier, imo, as they tend to cut slower and are easier to control.

[Phat95YJ]

Originally Posted by jwwaldschmidt

Define "bigger"

I can back a 20' car hauler easier than I can an ATV trailer, only because I can see it and it has some weight to it.

On the other hand, I can back a 20' car hauler much easier than a 30' camper, especially in tight spaces, because it's 10' shorter.

Longer wheelbase helps, absolutely. Tandem axle trailers will also be easier, imo, as they tend to cut slower and are easier to control.

What you just said makes sense. Its what I was getting at heh

[yager]

some axles have the elec. wire running inside the tube. If you look up top you will see a small loop where the wire goes into the gromette in the tube. Same on other side where it comes out.

[TheCompound]

For what its worth (not much im sure). I trailer my heavy a$$ ZJ on tons and 39.5 all day long on a 7000 lbs rated trailer. YES, im over weight, i worried more about the tires than the trailer. (On upgraded to E rated tires) than the trailer. now i just service the trailer bearings yearly and carry a spare set of bearings.

its not a great set up, but stay on top of your maintenance and you should be fine.

[fj40guy]

Originally Posted by Phat95YJ

Is it true the bigger the trailer the easier they are to back?

Longer the trailer, easier it is!

I look like a pro with a 20' trailer backing it up.

With a tow dolly, I can't see it (side mirrors) and look like an idiot backing it up.

[Hawkes]

Not bigger necessarily, but longer trailer tongues certainly help.

Dual axles may help or hinder, the friction from the ground on the 4 wheels causes drag and it won't turn as fast as a single axle trailer.