You don't have an option for "None of the above" I use the proper size ball, put the safety chains on and attach the wiring for the lights and that is it. My trailer is 1,500#'s.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Grease Hitch Ball, Friction Sway Control, Time Delayed Controller and Factory Transmission Cooler.
Will probably replace the Time Delayed with a Proportional Brake Controller when it dies but at worked great now. Have considered springs bags but it rides pretty level at this time so I don't think I need them.
I have a proportional brake controller but that's not really an extra if it's required to make the factory brakes work is it?
(On that topic, may I grumble that the factory "tow package" for my silly car was only wired for a 4-pin connector? A whopping 3500 lb tow capacity so long as you aren't interested in stopping... 😛 )
there's a big difference in what's needed to tow a popup, compared to a hybrid or big popup.
smaller popups don't have their own brakes and don't need much more than a anti-sway bar.
hybrids have their own electric brakes and require a WDH, brake controlller and anti-sway, either built-in, like the Equalizer or an added friction bar.
and unless you've got a big TV, you'll need a full tow package, which would be a tranny cooler, 7-pin connector, pre-wiring for a controller and a Type III/IV hitch receiver.
I confess I don't entirely agree with Bikendan about the requirements for towing a popup. I do agree one should have everything one needs to tow safely and comfortably, but I am not certain small popups always require an anti-sway bar. My setup certainly doesn't, but it does need those brakes for mountain and city traffic jam driving.
And of course a "full tow package" varies by manufacturer as well as model. The tow package on my vehicle was sort of chintzy on the wiring but maybe that's to discourage people from towing a Niagara with an underpowered tow vehicle.
I might add side view mirror upgrades to the list--newer popups tend to be pretty wide and might require larger mirrors.
Matthew: I'm not a fan of transmission additives, other than those recommended by the factory. I am a fan of regular service intervals. If it hasn't been done, new fluid/filter would be good for your tranny.
Our new to us '08 Niagara is the first camper we've had that will require sway control, so that has to be added to the list for us. Our truck is equipped with the factory tow package, which has a good transmission cooler and power steering cooler included. Our brake controller is a Tekonsha Primus. I've driven other trucks that had Prodigy controllers and think the Primus is just as good. It can't be installed at an angle as severe as the Prodigy, but that didn't matter in our case.
What's needed for safe towing, of course, differs greatly with different tow vehicles and campers. One item not on the list that's needed in many cases are towing mirrors.
John
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