WDHitch + Brake Controller or Intlli-hitch?

[csmitty]

Just purchasing my first camper trailer (a relatively light 2000lb. A-Frame). Need some advice on whether to get the Intelli-Hitch (which automatically adjusts trailer brakes when driving) or whether I should get a brake controller and a weight distribution hitch.

I am towing with a Hyundai Santa-Fe (V-6), so it is rated for pulling 5000 lbs....

[Groover]

I am surprised that a 2000lb trailer even has brakes on it. Don't get me wrong, I think that it is great. Just most states don't require them on trailers under 3000lbs so the manufactures save some money and leave them off.

I think that you would be better served with a weight distributing hitch and separate brake controller. Mainly because even though your camper will have a elatively light tongue the Santa Fe also has a relatively light rear end.

The main advantage of the Intelli-Hitch in my opion is that it automatically adjusts for changes in trailer weight witch could be really useful with cargo trailers that have large weight changes. Also, installation might be easier, depending on your tow vehicle. If I were in your shoes and if installation of a brake controller does not seem to be too hard I would put one in and pull the trailer a little bit with a standard hitch. If the vehicle seems to be heavy in the rear or bounces too much then I would add the weight distributing hitch. I would hate to sink a bunch of money into the Intelli-Hitch only to find out that I do want the weight distributing ability and have to start all over again on the whole setup. I know that a lot of people don't like messing with weight distributing hitches but I have been using them for over 40 years and find that in many cases (but not all) they are well worth the trouble and make your tow vehicle much more stable. Most of the people that I have met that hate pulling a trailer are not using weight distributing hitches and feel that the trailer is yanking them around too much. Right now my equipment trailer and horse trailer have weight distributing hitches set up for them, my boat trailer and utility trailers don't but since I dropped from an F250 down to an F150 I am thinking about setting them up with weight distributing hitches as well.

[BenK]

IMHO...looks like a Surge Brake but updated to "world class" digital sensors and metering...

[dshelley]

The Intelli-Hitch is an impressive piece of technology, allowing you to have effective trailer braking without installing a controller and wiring on your Santa-Fe. My opinion (others will vary) is that for a 2 to 3 hundred pound hitch weight, a weight distributing hitch is unnecessary. I would spend the $600 for the Intelli-Hitch. Matter of fact, I think you will have an ideal combination and should enjoy it for quite some time.