[Sarge]

I don't really like the idea of the BT setup given how unreliable BT can be, personally.

I bought the REDARC controller to install in mine, as it's small and seems to have all the basic capabilities of the Tekonsha P3. I've always had the P3 in other vehicles, but there's not enough space to mount it without it sticking out like a sore thumb.

As for towing, I've towed a six place snowmobile trailer, a 14' cargo trailer, and a camper (R Pod, not super heavy, probably 4k lbs or less) with mine so far. I haven't added the brake controller as mine is being bought back with a replacement coming, but I've not had any trouble. I towed the R Pod about 1400 miles, and while it would have been nice to have a weight distribution hitch with the crosswinds and high front/cross wind I encountered, the braking was never really an issue (although I would always definitely recommend having trailer brakes). My trip was almost all on I15 at speeds of 50-80mph.

To do something like that again, with a camper (and all the windage a camper has), I'd definitely want a weight distribution hitch. When there was no real wind, it towed fine, but on the windy days it was a bit of a handful sometimes.

I've been towing all manner of things for decades, so my comfort level is higher than most. That said, if I wished I had a weight distribution (anti sway) hitch, I imagine anyone would.

 

[Sarge]

Can you send me a link to that trailer? I kinda like that size as a guesstimate starting point.

It's called an R Pod. They make a few sizes and layouts. It's a little tight if you spend a lot of time inside (mine had the bathroom in the middle. If you plan on mostly just using it for sleeping, it's fine for two, but I can't imagine more than two, or hanging out inside it much. Not much storage or tank capacity either. I tried it b/c we don't really spend much time inside campers, and it was narrower and rounded so I thought it might get better MPG, but I only averaged around 9mpg with my Hemi.

My driving was all at higher elevation, where I wouldn't recommend towing it with the V6 (due to power loss at elevation - Hemi was just adequate but you lose 3%hp per 1k foot gain), but at sea level you would be fine if you have a V6. If you're going to spend time indoors, I would get a wider, more boxy style trailer.

Depending on how mechanically inclined you are, and what your budget is, you can get a 30-40' diesel pusher with under 100k miles for $20-$40k and get the same fuel economy and it should drive a LOT nicer than pulling a trailer. A friend of mine did that, and I've put thousands of miles on it (45' Monaco). Much nicer experience than a camper for both driving and living in, and the older higher end ones have chassis/drivetrains that are designed to do hundreds of thousands of miles. If it were something I would use very often, or for a long break (months of travel) that's the route I'd go, personally. In my experience, for longer trips in potentially higher winds/crosswinds, the GCL just isn't a big enough vehicle, and the fuel economy is not appreciably better than driving a gas RV, or even a big diesel pusher (which can go down the road at 80mph nearly as easily/stable as the GCL with no trailer.

Just my .02.

 

[Sarge]

A Bluetooth brake controller is a good investment as it fits to a any trailer and their is no hard wiring required to the vehicle. And when you change car/trailer you just remove and transfer to next vehicle.

Don't you lose the ability to trigger the trailer brakes in an emergency with that setup? That's the kind of thing that 'when you need it, you really need it, and you need it NOW'. To me, having a button readily at hand is critical - and potentially live-saving.

 

[Sarge]

FWIW I've used the P3 for over a decade, and went with the Redarc unit on the WL and I like it better. When changing trailers it's easy to adjust the pressure, and it's fantastic when dropping a boat and taking the trailer up the road unladen. Spinning the little dial is a lot less 'fussy' than tapping the P3 buttons 20+ times to stop the trailer brakes from locking up with no weight on the trailer. Just push the knob in to activate full force if (rarely) needed - not as nice as a lever, but it still works and is very rarely used on a properly loaded trailer. Add that it's super easy to install, and the switch can be put almost anywhere, and the LEDs on the switch tell you it's working... Redarc all the way IMHO.