wyobohunter1

I'm deciding between two car haulers.

-DCT (Dressen Custom Trailers) C 16

-Big Tex 60 CH

Both are identical as far as I can tell except:

-DCT has brakes on all four wheels while Big Tex only two.

-I prefer the ramp storage location on DCT. They slide out the rear vs the side.

-DCT costs $600 more

I'll mostly be hauling my Polaris Ranger Crew and Hay with it. Opinions?

wyobohunter1

Oh yeah, 2011 F-150 Ecoboost

Also, is the factory trailer brake controller worth the $?

Franny K

The factory brake controller is integrated into the abs/traction control, has the output adjustable from 0 to 10 in half number increments. That number shows up in the info as I cycle through the choices. If you leave it on that property there is a little bar graph that gets longer the harder you push on the pedal. You kind of have to state more. There are plenty of past threads about installing the ford unit and having the dealer activate it. Have you got a quote to activate it vs install and activate? I assume you have the seven pin plug.

I have a 2012 and there is a section in the owners manual, probably in yours too pertaining to how to adjust the trailer brake controller output. I can't say what system you have in mind to compare it to but could you really save a whole lot by going aftermarket?

Could you get a quote to add brakes to the other axle of the trailer you prefer?

Fran

jrduty

The factory brake controller is worth it. I installed one in my '09 and it was worth every penny. Plus, it looks so nice and clean. As far as the trailers, the DCT has a gross weight rating 1000 lbs. higher than the Big Tex-very useful. 4300# to 5300# is a big difference. At that length you'll be surprised how fast you will run out of weight capacity before you run out of space. And if you were to ever sell it, I think it would be easier to sell and have a higher resale value as well. As to the brakes, two axles is better than one axle obviously but at those weights I wouldn't consider it a big deal unless you towed frequently with heavy loads on the trailer. I have a Big Tex TV70 in a 16ft. with single axle brakes and have stupidly overloaded it several times and had no problems stopping it. I drive cautiously and defensively but if there had been a big "uh oh!" moment I can't say how well it would have stopped. At the very least I would suggest considering a 7000# gross trailer over the lighter trailer.

wyobohunter1

Thanks! I didn't notice the 1,000# difference. My mind is made up. I'll go with the DCT and get the factory controller installed. I appreciate the help.

scannrman

Just a tip, make sure if your using it to tow a car that the door will open over the trailer fender. I have a Big Tex CH70 which I bought to tow a lifted Jeep. It does it great and has brakes on both axles( all four wheels have brakes). The door opens fine, but one day went to haul a car for a friend and when going to get out of the car when it was on the trailer the door hit the trailer fender and would only open a slight bit. Just something to take into consideration when you pick your trailer.

wyobohunter1

I'll keep it in mind as I may actually haul a car with it someday ;-)