99 1500 4x4 slt short bed 180k mi. I'm bout to pull home a camper that is close to the max that my truck can handle...I think. Its about 30' long and supposedly weighs in at approx. 7ooo lbs. I believe my rig came stock with a tow package, 7 pin connector and hitch receiver. I have to travel about 45 miles and was wondering if it was gonna be able to handle it. I'm gonna use the torsion bar/sway bar kit for the trailer and I wanna hook up an electric brake controller. Is there a plug already under the dash somewhere, or am I gonna have to do some wiring? There is an empty socket down by the e-brake, is that it? Color is white and it has two wires.
It appears my leaf spring bushings are showing some wear as well. Will this be a problem?

Also, any suggestions related to towing this beast home are welcome.

PS. I know I have to turn off the overdrive when I tow anything.
Thanks!

 

Whenever I take off from a dead stop it feels like my rear Axel kind of shifts backwards. Don't really feel it any other time. Drive shaft is tight. U-joints are good, had a mechanic check them and replace the bad ones. U-bolts appear ok, but cant really tell. Will this tow roast my rear end? Any ideas what this could be?

 

you'll be fine. just take it easy and it should handle it nicely. as far as the axle shifting, I doubt it is, but jack up the rear end, put same jack stands on the frame so your rear wheels don't touch the ground and see if your axle will move by hand. if it does, see what's loose.

 

If you have the tow package you will have a plug under the dash for the controller. It's tucked away under there about where your left foot would be while driving. When you get the brake controller there should be a connector with it that's fits the one on your truck. If it's not then you have to get one separately. That will be the only wiring you will have to do.
Excellent!!!

 

What could it be then? It doesnt appear to be as bad or even a problem at all with weight in the box. Any ideas?

 

Spring bushings? Bad u-joint?

 

find out what the gross weight of that camper is! 7k could be the dry weight. you get pulled over by dot, they will check the gvw of the camper, and nail you for over weight.

as far as the axle twisting, youre gonna get some axle wrap, and with 180k you leafs are gonna be pretty worn out, making axle wrap worse.

 

Go on Ebay or other sites and you can find which ever style of brake controller you want and then as Moparite said also get the adapter that is made for your year of truck. Most places sell the controller and cable together. I seem to remember my wires being more in the gas pedal area but it is under there and it has more wires than just 2.

Yes most defiantly use the weight distribution/sway control from the trailer it will help you control the trailer better. As far as DOT pulling you over I have never been stopped towing a personal trailer. But I do know they can. Look on your hitch and see what it is rated for. Is it a class 4 or 5 hitch?

 

On my 97 the plug for the brake controller was a black rectangle with 4 wires. If I remember correctly, the wire colors were red, red, blue, and black. One red wire was about 16 gauge and the other was about 10 gauge. It was tucked up pretty high just to the left of the steering column.

 

My tow was a success! The only problem we had was getting it out of the guy's yard. He had parked it in the grass and it hadn't moved in a year or so. The truck handles it very well, no problems!Mine was a blue connector located on top of a silver box to the left of the column. I love "plug and play" toys. Got a hell of a deal on the sway bar/distribution hitch, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Very pleased and can't wait to get down to the river. I'll post a pic later, the camper really "dwarfs" my red baby girl.
-Thanks guys.