Is it correct, factory trailer hitch does not include a brake controller?
05-12-2017, 01:01 PM
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Is it correct, factory trailer hitch does not include a brake controller?
Purchasing a camper today and trying to avoid buying something I don't need. The camper is an ultra light about 2900 pounds dry. The dealer is trying to sell me receiver setup with anti-sway control and a brake controller. We have the factory (Audi Dealer installed) hitch currently.
Thanks
Thanks
05-12-2017, 03:24 PM
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Purchasing a camper today and trying to avoid buying something I don't need. The camper is an ultra light about 2900 pounds dry. The dealer is trying to sell me receiver setup with anti-sway control and a brake controller. We have the factory (Audi Dealer installed) hitch currently.
Thanks
Thanks
05-13-2017, 04:59 PM
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Scott-
If you get some firm details (on what is in the car & what it takes to get it in use) please do come back and post them.
And what kind of 2900# trailer you got. Any chance it has springs AND shocks, not just springs on it? Anything else special?
If you get some firm details (on what is in the car & what it takes to get it in use) please do come back and post them.
And what kind of 2900# trailer you got. Any chance it has springs AND shocks, not just springs on it? Anything else special?
05-14-2017, 12:07 PM
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Redd, the camper is a 2018 Coachman Clipper. I'll have all the specs when we pick it up. I did have a local dealer recommend a brake controller, anti-sway and weight distribution setup--definitively. My hope is to use the factory brake controller wiring or a wireless setup.
05-25-2017, 12:43 PM
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Here are the details on our trailer setup:
Our camper is a 2018 Coachmen Clipper 17BH. The dry weight is 2,898 pounds, when full the tanks add 347 pounds. GVWM is 3,645. Here are the specs etc. Clipper Ultra-Lite Travel Trailers by Coachmen RV
This trailer is perfect for a family of four not wishing to go overboard into the Glamping scene. The bunk beds in the back are perfect for our boys. The price point should be under $13,000 for a new unit.
Our 2014 Q5 2.0T was purchased new in June 2013 without the towing package. We had the towing package installed by Audi of Clearwater last year when we got serious about buying the camper, the cost was $1400. At that point we had over 40000 miles on the Q5 including two Ohio winters and three summers in Florida--the tires were toast. I added a set of Michelin Lattitude A/S rubber for more than $1000 as I recall too (don't get cheap with your tires folks).
The dealer that sold us the camper offered the receiver assembly necessary to tow the trailer. This was the second Audi they had fitted and they admitted Audis are tough to prepare. There was no elaboration on this point, but searching the inter webs revealed all sorts of stuff on towing with German vehicles. All the parts and labor were about $600 on top of the camper cost.
The receiver hitch includes a mount for anti-sway controller. Essentially this is a device with friction material that keeps things in-line at higher speeds. At low speed when turning it grinds and groans like crazy and I learned quickly to unhook it while Parking. It's like a parking brake that keeps the trailer in line with the Q5, when sway is induced, a brake pad like thing that slows the movement and keeps it from getting out of control.
We also added a brake controller. However the dealer was unsuccessful in finding the factory wiring to connect one (its there, but not readily available I suppose). Wisely, they used a wireless brake controller which mounts to the trailer and connects with the trailer wiring. The controller uses RF and plugs into the power outlet on the console. You basically set it and forget it--unplugging it while not towing. The trailer braked on its own. Never did it feel like the car was doing all the work.
The experience? Well, full disclosure here. My wife picked up the camper and waited while the trailer and Q5 were prepped. I had to go work to deal with some whiny government regulators. She drove the rig home, loaded up our stuff and drove it to the camp ground. I met the family there after work, cold beer in the fridge waiting. She also drove the rig home with no issues, I rode shotgun. The 2.0T has more than adequate power to pull the weight. Our setup made driving on busy roads and narrow two lane roads very easy.
The sway controller is a Reese Pro Series Pro Series - Sway Control
The brake controller is a Prodigy unit made by Tekonsha Tekonsha - Trailer Brake Control - ProportionalUPDATE!! The RF setup proved very unreliable. We went with a wired controller—see below. I do not recommend the RF controller after our experience.
Ask any questions.
Our camper is a 2018 Coachmen Clipper 17BH. The dry weight is 2,898 pounds, when full the tanks add 347 pounds. GVWM is 3,645. Here are the specs etc. Clipper Ultra-Lite Travel Trailers by Coachmen RV
This trailer is perfect for a family of four not wishing to go overboard into the Glamping scene. The bunk beds in the back are perfect for our boys. The price point should be under $13,000 for a new unit.
Our 2014 Q5 2.0T was purchased new in June 2013 without the towing package. We had the towing package installed by Audi of Clearwater last year when we got serious about buying the camper, the cost was $1400. At that point we had over 40000 miles on the Q5 including two Ohio winters and three summers in Florida--the tires were toast. I added a set of Michelin Lattitude A/S rubber for more than $1000 as I recall too (don't get cheap with your tires folks).
The dealer that sold us the camper offered the receiver assembly necessary to tow the trailer. This was the second Audi they had fitted and they admitted Audis are tough to prepare. There was no elaboration on this point, but searching the inter webs revealed all sorts of stuff on towing with German vehicles. All the parts and labor were about $600 on top of the camper cost.
The receiver hitch includes a mount for anti-sway controller. Essentially this is a device with friction material that keeps things in-line at higher speeds. At low speed when turning it grinds and groans like crazy and I learned quickly to unhook it while Parking. It's like a parking brake that keeps the trailer in line with the Q5, when sway is induced, a brake pad like thing that slows the movement and keeps it from getting out of control.
We also added a brake controller. However the dealer was unsuccessful in finding the factory wiring to connect one (its there, but not readily available I suppose). Wisely, they used a wireless brake controller which mounts to the trailer and connects with the trailer wiring. The controller uses RF and plugs into the power outlet on the console. You basically set it and forget it--unplugging it while not towing. The trailer braked on its own. Never did it feel like the car was doing all the work.
The experience? Well, full disclosure here. My wife picked up the camper and waited while the trailer and Q5 were prepped. I had to go work to deal with some whiny government regulators. She drove the rig home, loaded up our stuff and drove it to the camp ground. I met the family there after work, cold beer in the fridge waiting. She also drove the rig home with no issues, I rode shotgun. The 2.0T has more than adequate power to pull the weight. Our setup made driving on busy roads and narrow two lane roads very easy.
The sway controller is a Reese Pro Series Pro Series - Sway Control
The brake controller is a Prodigy unit made by Tekonsha Tekonsha - Trailer Brake Control - ProportionalUPDATE!! The RF setup proved very unreliable. We went with a wired controller—see below. I do not recommend the RF controller after our experience.
Ask any questions.
Last edited by Scott Evil; 10-27-2017 at 10:29 AM.
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05-26-2017, 04:39 AM
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