segen77

I can tell you this. You can not do this without a brake controller and weight distributing hitch. It's not safe. You're lucky because I20 is mostly flat for the drive. If you do this, you really need to take it easy. I would recommend having a good co pilot that can give you a rest when needed. My first trip with my trailer (half the size of yours) was from HEB area to south dallas. It was a white knuckle experience with the slightest crosswind or when an 18 wheeler passed.

Buck183

I quickly echo what others have said about a brake controller and WD set up.

I do have a question that came to mind the second I saw the original post. Please don't be offended for me asking, but it just seems odd to me. How does one own a truck and get this far in life without ever having towed a trailer or load of any kind?

Buck

5111

I understand what you are saying. It has me concerned too. I'm not sure what all is included in the hitch that they are loaning me. Supposedly it is all the stuff that the guy needed to tow it out there (minus the 1 ton truck).

My co-pilot recently got his CDL and has been driving truck for about 3 months. Limited experience, and completely different vehicles, but more experience than me. Neither of us has towed a TT nor with a pickup.

5111

<--37 year old city boy with a really country dad. I actually grew up out in the country on a farm, but my dad always did all the driving and towing. My brothers and I were just the manual labor. As soon as I moved out, I moved into the city and never needed to tow anything. I'm not a camper nor outdoors-man. I have usually driven sporty cars and not trucks until recently. Everything that I need fits in the bed....usually.

Watt-maker

I also echo what others have said.

However, if your truck didn't come with a brake controller then it probably doesn't have the max tow package (without a EBC it might not have any tow package) which gets you the tow rating of 11k lbs. Without that package you will definetly be overloaded. Will it pull it? Definetly yes. Will you make it safely, alive? Probably. Just trying to shed some light. Check the truck and trailer tire pressures. For the crappy OEM tires, I would air them to the max pressure on the sidewall (44 psi on mine). They will still feel squirmy with that much weight though so take your time. Even with the brake controller give yourself plenty of room to stop.

Mr_Snips

Biggest thing i see here is the brake controller...it will get it moving no problem...however getting it stopped is the tricky part especially if you have 10k pounds behind you...other than that you should be fine...just take it slow and be conscious of what you are doing.

Buck183

Fair enough. Thank you for not being offended.

Buck

PawPaw

Make sure you get some mirror extension's because the standard mirror's won't give you a good view of the sides of the trailer. Don't worry, this will be like learning to swim and getting thrown in the deep end of the pool!!

flixden

A WD hitch AND a good brake controller are the minimum you'll need.
If it's for this one tow only, you may be better off paying the towing company $900. You'll probably need more than 40 gallons in gas one way. Add the brake controller, hitch setup and all the time you'll spend, plus the risk. I'd go with the company.

5111

Thanks for all the input, but it doesn't matter now. The friend I was helping out ended up selling his trailer this morning, so it will stay in Pecos!