Yes you still need a brake controller. It gets hooked up in the cab of your truck and sends the signal to the brakes on the trailer when needed. It also gives you the option to manually apply the trailer brakes seperate from the truck brakes, which would only be during emergency trailer swap issues.
That picture is just of the plug on the back of your truck that the trailer plugs into so it can control the brakes, signal and brake lights.
I am surprised that you would have that on your truck but no tow package. Perhaps Dodge put them on all their trucks? I figured it was just on those with a tow package. You can tell if you have a transmission cooler by popping the hood on the truck, the tranny cooler is smaller on the outside at the bottom of your rad. Or just call Dodge to verify as others said.
Also FYI, I never had a problem with leaking toilet. If yours did, it's not a Kodiak issue but the manufacturer of the toilet, it's happend on other trailers as well.
2011 Kodiak 240KSSL
Husky Center Line WDH
2010 Dodge RAM 1500 4x4, 3:55, 5.7L - at last, a HEMI
2007 Kodiak 214 HTT (prior)
kodiakcanuck wrote: Yes you still need a brake controller. It gets hooked up in the cab of your truck and sends the signal to the brakes on the trailer when needed. It also gives you the option to manually apply the trailer brakes seperate from the truck brakes, which would only be during emergency trailer swap issues.
That picture is just of the plug on the back of your truck that the trailer plugs into so it can control the brakes, signal and brake lights.
I am surprised that you would have that on your truck but no tow package. Perhaps Dodge put them on all their trucks? I figured it was just on those with a tow package. You can tell if you have a transmission cooler by popping the hood on the truck, the tranny cooler is smaller on the outside at the bottom of your rad. Or just call Dodge to verify as others said.
Also FYI, I never had a problem with leaking toilet. If yours did, it's not a Kodiak issue but the manufacturer of the toilet, it's happend on other trailers as well.
I assume I have a tow package, heck I have a ball outlet as well under the bumper (standard looking not aftermarket). Dunno if it's a class III or class IV.
I called the dealership and they told me that it has a tow package. I also have a trannny cooler, verified it as per your instructions.
because you haven't submitted any info about your truck, other than it has a Hemi and a tow package, don't know what year it is or what rear end ratio it has, cab size and so on.
it's always helpful to post all the info on the tow vehicle when asking towing questions.
so, unless your truck is brand new and has built-in sway control, you are required to have a brake controller by law.
towing a full-height travel trailer requires a number of things, before you can tow it safely.
a brake controller is required by law and a weight distributing hitch with sway control, is always highly recommended.
unless you've got a 1-ton dually truck.
and to get started you'll need tow mirrors, tandem wheel chocks, sewer kit, black tank additives, electrical adapters, water regulator, Lynx Levelers, fresh water hose to name some of the basic things.
it ain't cheap to get into this lifestyle.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
If you have the receiver hitch under your bumper, tranny cooler and the trailer plug, then yes you have the tow package. BTW the hitch on the bumper is only a class III hitch, you are using the receiver hitch underneath the bumper which is a class IV and hooked up to the frame of your truck from the factory.
You don't need anything added to your truck except the brake controller. Don't let the dealer sell you anything else.
For the hitch to tow the trailer, you should get a weight distribution hitch and sway control. The dealer will have those items which will probably cost your around $200 - $500 depending on what you get. There are older style friction sway control, which are cheaper and probably be fine for your set up or you can go with a Reese Dual Cam sway control or a weight distribution hitch with built in sway control like Equal-i-zer or Husky Centerline. But these are a little bit of overkill for the lenght of trailer you have.
Your truck would be just fine with a standard weight distribution hitch and frition sway control.
kodiakcanuck wrote: If you have the receiver hitch under your bumper, tranny cooler and the trailer plug, then yes you have the tow package. BTW the hitch on the bumper is only a class III hitch, you are using the receiver hitch underneath the bumper which is a class IV and hooked up to the frame of your truck from the factory.
You don't need anything added to your truck except the brake controller. Don't let the dealer sell you anything else.
For the hitch to tow the trailer, you should get a weight distribution hitch and sway control. The dealer will have those items which will probably cost your around $200 - $500 depending on what you get. There are older style friction sway control, which are cheaper and probably be fine for your set up or you can go with a Reese Dual Cam sway control or a weight distribution hitch with built in sway control like Equal-i-zer or Husky Centerline. But these are a little bit of overkill for the lenght of trailer you have.
Your truck would be just fine with a standard weight distribution hitch and frition sway control.
Terrific help thank you. Yes, they will be installing:
Brake Controller
Both a weight distribution hitch and sway control
bikendan wrote: because you haven't submitted any info about your truck, other than it has a Hemi and a tow package, don't know what year it is or what rear end ratio it has, cab size and so on.
it's always helpful to post all the info on the tow vehicle when asking towing questions.
so, unless your truck is brand new and has built-in sway control, you are required to have a brake controller by law.
towing a full-height travel trailer requires a number of things, before you can tow it safely.
a brake controller is required by law and a weight distributing hitch with sway control, is always highly recommended.
unless you've got a 1-ton dually truck.
and to get started you'll need tow mirrors, tandem wheel chocks, sewer kit, black tank additives, electrical adapters, water regulator, Lynx Levelers, fresh water hose to name some of the basic things.
it ain't cheap to get into this lifestyle.
If buying from a dealer most of them will include a starter kit that will include a basic sewer kit, Fresh water hose and black tank additives. But you will find that you will upgrade most of that stuff over time but it will work to get you started. But you will need tow mirrors as some states it is a law. Also would get a fresh water filter. I use the inline type that connect to the water hose.
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
2007 Dutchman Kodiak 214 HTT 
