FYI on buying a diesel.

Buy pre-07. They started adding smog stuff to the trucks in that year. The EGR is killing modern diesels, not to mention the MPG's really suffer with the regen. It's so bad, we are pretty close to throwing away our 100K warranty to pull it all off.

 

What a waste of money. The P2 Prodigy is $120 and works perfectly fine.

 

I like em a lot, but for grins I looked up gassers. They're $10k less, so I might lean that way. $10K buy A LOT of gas.

 

I had a curt reflex proportional controller on a Ranger and a P2 Prodigy in my Tacoma. They both worked and they operate on the basis of the brake signal from the car with an initial programmable boost then accelerometer based braking whose power is also programmable. This works well but a signal from the brake pressure line on a car would work better. Much better. The current generation of heavy duty trucks have this as an option and it is unquestionably better as the brakes will be modulated based on your commanded pressure with your foot.

It is more effort to install, potential leaks, etc. I wouldn't bother unless I had a ton of money to pay someone to do it or were hauling every week. If it were a factory option I would definitely get it.

 

P2 Prodigy is a good product. It has worked for a lot of folks. BrakeSmart costs a lot more and does not fit into everyone's budget, I get that. However, to call it waste of money, you are wrong, my friend. Unless you have towed with both in various different conditions, you don't know the difference.

 

Picked up the new trailer. Even managed to get one with an awesome history (it's FM's old trailer). Here's the rig:



Haven't installed the brake controller yet because we were extremely busy with the MegaMeet and Mitty and Road Atlanta. The truck doesn't have any issues stopping it unloaded as it's a light trailer, but I'll get the controller installed before I pull it loaded.

 

Didn't buy a controller yet, and well, procrastination pays once again!
The DIYAutoTune.com tow rig is being upgraded, and Jerry gave me the Prodigy P2 out of his old truck before he traded it in.

 

I've only pulled this trailer a couple of times, and only while dark. It's always been a bit rough. Today I pulled it in the day for the first time, and I could see the pass front tire bouncing off the street like a dang basketball. I immediately investigated. Here is the cause. :(

 

DOH! Looks like a broken lower leaf spring.

 

Fortunately not a real expensive fix if you can do it yourself. A new spring can be had at either a local trailer shop or something like etrailer.com for $35 to $45. And for load support, I suggest adding air bags to manage the extra weight as another option. Counters the future spring sag and levels when loaded with bags as well.

 

Yeah it's a broken leaf. The part isn't expensive, but the time and hassle factor is. I can't use the trailer until this is fixed, and have you ever tried turning a wrench with a broken rib? Yeah, no too much fun.

The trailer is only a few years old, but I'm inclined to go ahead and do all of the springs to start with a fresh set with equal wear. Bags won't be necessary--they just add complication and failure points. This thing is only hauling around Miatas.

 

Yeah the ribs put a whole different aspect on life. They say hello a few times and we start analyzing every move. I certainly feel for ya there. Doing all new springs is wise of course. Take a close look at the bushings while you are there.

I only mentioned bags because every explorer I have seen has sagging rear and needed assist with just passengers added. Anyway, good luck with it, looks like a nice trailer. The miata will look really small on that thing. lol

 

I just eyeballed that last night, and it was already dusk. What bushings are there?

Yes the Miata is small on it, but a 18' trailer is easier to resale than a 14' trailer, and there's really not much of a weight penalty. Besides that also gives me enough room to carry extras like a pit bike and what not.

My Explorer has the stiffest of the factory suspension setups, and I've added progressive rate springs in the back to help with hauling loads. I like the idea of the airbags, but don't want to deal with them. I also don't want to keep putting extra stuff on the Explorer--I'd rather save that money towards a bigger truck.

 

Anyway, all done, replaced the 4 springs. There were no bushings other than the ones that came pre-pressed in the eyes of the springs. Did it at work so I could use the forklift to raise the trailer up--which by the way is epic win. Really wasn't a big deal except nursing my (healing) fractured rib.

 

Sorry, been away. there are bushing in the spring eyes as you noted and also in the link that ties the two axle springs together. Since you are done I would not worry bout it.

 

Brought this home this evening. I think it might be a little bit better of a tow vehicle than the Explorer. It's also GVWR 8800 lbs. Over 8500 lbs = no emissions in GA.

It was hard to find a good condition 3/4 ton, especially with a reasonable price.

 

What does the front badge say?

 

Standard Ford emblem.

Unless you meant the front license plate, which is a G for UGA (and will be coming off shortly).

 

No I meant more like what's it say above V8? Powerstroke or Triton...

 

Triton, 5.4. I could not find a nice 7.3 PowerStroke, especially at a reasonable price. I looked a some, and they were just beat up, and often way expensive.
This truck was obviously used for commuting and not work, hasn't been towed to death, and is presentable to where I can park it in my driveway without aggravating neighbors. It was also $5-6K less than what the diesels are going for.

I would love to buy a 7.3 Excursion 4x4 if I could find one worth having and a reasonable price ($20K or more is not reasonable!).

Just took this one to lunch. It's a nice truck! Hooked up to a trailer, and everything is fine. The back barely comes down with the ~5k lb enclosed trailer on it, unlike the Explorer which got crushed (I only moved the big trailer around in the parking lot with the Explorer, before anyone jumps on me for that). The brake controller is a Hayes or Hughes or something. Seems to suck. I'll put my Prodigy in there.