Do our $$$$$ Escalade's not have an integrated brake controller?
- Thread starter Vector
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Not sure on your connection as the pic is small but typically a decent sized enclose is a bit much for a 1/2 ton to handle and is better suited for a large truck, at least 
When I moved a few summers ago I pulled an enclosed (18' or 20', can't remember for sure) and my truck did just fine in town, mind you it wasn't loaded all that heavy with common house moving things, but I wouldn't have wanted to venture on the highway too far with it. I know people do but I wouldn't. I have pulled the same trailer with a 1-ton dually and couldn't even tell it was there.
Another example is I had 99 Grand Cheerokee V8 a while back and my cousin called me on short notice to pick up his 20' boat from storage and take it to his hose which was about 30-40 minutes away. The Jeep had plenty of power and not much squat but that boat through the short and narrow Jeep all over the place.
When I moved a few summers ago I pulled an enclosed (18' or 20', can't remember for sure) and my truck did just fine in town, mind you it wasn't loaded all that heavy with common house moving things, but I wouldn't have wanted to venture on the highway too far with it. I know people do but I wouldn't. I have pulled the same trailer with a 1-ton dually and couldn't even tell it was there.
Another example is I had 99 Grand Cheerokee V8 a while back and my cousin called me on short notice to pick up his 20' boat from storage and take it to his hose which was about 30-40 minutes away. The Jeep had plenty of power and not much squat but that boat through the short and narrow Jeep all over the place.
Vector
Full Access Member
That is a legit point, however if the wireless connection is lost the module still retains the last setting, so the brakes will still apply, all be it not with a manual lock up (if that is what you'd be able to do in an emergency situation.
Don't get me wrong, as I am not sold on the system, but it seems fairly plug and play, and could be moved from trailer to trailer if needed. More importantly, if you wanted to use a different tow vehicle, the remote can be used in the other vehicle to tow the trailer with the module attached.
Vector
Full Access Member
My experience has been the opposite of what you describe. My 2007 Sub towed a 28 foot trailer with a decent load. There was no squatting (like I experienced with a rented Ford Expedition) as the Sub was very level. Heck if anything, it was a little too high.
Now I will grant you that towing with a 5th wheel or a diesel dually while towing is better than an SUV, however they are all truck frames/engines with a different cab construction. Thus the engineers of our Escalades should have assumed at least some of us intended to use them for more than bling rides, limo Uber service, or family transport.
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thirdcoast
Full Access Member
I think that you are all missing what he is saying about that little trailer..
He is trying to tow it with a Pintle Hitch, not on a ball that is solid with the platform hitch.. The tow rating is generated using the vehicle as well as the method of attaching the trailer to the vehicle.
Our vehicles have a Platform Hitch that is affixed to the frame.. A Pintle hitch is basically two round shackles hooked together and have a lot of movement (slop) and a pintle is not designed to be used with a light duty vehicle!!
I have been towing everything you can think of for over 40 years and have never had the trailer get away from me or had the tow vehicle get tossed around by the trailer.. primarily because I know what equipment I need and which tow vehicle I need and try to stay within those limits.
My new 2018 Tahoe has a 8600 tow rating and I will tell you now that I will be pulling a 18 ft. trailer with brakes and one of my IH Scouts on it..
My tow rig that I used from 07 until I sold my business last year was a GMC Sierra CC, SB, Vortec Max with Bilstein shocks, trailer brake controller and proper tires,.,. I carried 3-6K on a normal load and up to 8000 lbs when I had to..
Right equipment equals safe trip!!
Good luck,
Thirdcoast
He is trying to tow it with a Pintle Hitch, not on a ball that is solid with the platform hitch.. The tow rating is generated using the vehicle as well as the method of attaching the trailer to the vehicle.
Our vehicles have a Platform Hitch that is affixed to the frame.. A Pintle hitch is basically two round shackles hooked together and have a lot of movement (slop) and a pintle is not designed to be used with a light duty vehicle!!
I have been towing everything you can think of for over 40 years and have never had the trailer get away from me or had the tow vehicle get tossed around by the trailer.. primarily because I know what equipment I need and which tow vehicle I need and try to stay within those limits.
My new 2018 Tahoe has a 8600 tow rating and I will tell you now that I will be pulling a 18 ft. trailer with brakes and one of my IH Scouts on it..
My tow rig that I used from 07 until I sold my business last year was a GMC Sierra CC, SB, Vortec Max with Bilstein shocks, trailer brake controller and proper tires,.,. I carried 3-6K on a normal load and up to 8000 lbs when I had to..
Right equipment equals safe trip!!
Good luck,
Thirdcoast
I saw it and ignored it....lol. I use pintles at work daily and know what they feel like....lol
I didn't ignore it and stated that there is plenty of trailers I would pull with an Escalade that are larger than a landscaping trailer.
GTNator
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I think Denalis all come with a brake controller, correct or no?
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Its an option. Comes with ‘heavy duty towing pkg’ K5L or i think someone said ‘stand alone opt’ JL1 which doesnt make sense because if you have the brake controller you should have upgraded cooling etc....
swathdiver
Full Access Member
In a GMT900 SUV one could have K5L without JL1 but not the other way around. The JL1 has it's own DIC messages and modules for troubleshooting. GM says the factory JL1 cannot be added later (probably because they don't want to change/flash the BCM) but the wiring for aftermarket trailer brake controllers, with or without JL1 is provided on both the GMT900 and the new K2s.
MT Elk Hunter
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FWIW and depending on what you are towing, the Escalade is not the preferred tow vehicle due to their tall wheels. Google: truck wheel size and trailering. I have been towing a race trailer for over 25 years with Suburban's and Denali's and most recently purchased a new 2017 Denali with P275/55R20 to pull my 28' trailer. It's max'd out, but handles it fine. I just wish GM would option the proper trailering mirrors for the Denali and make a 3/4 ton version again!
MidwestMike
Full Access Member
Towing capacity does not mean all towing accessories are included.
It is the towing capacity...
You need to add the controller,
and there is no more chance of a lawsuit than someone who clips a car changing lanes because they did not provide you towing mirrors.
The only lawsuit I could picture is if they did integrate it with the touch screen.
Making you go through menus when you need to quickly apply the brakes manually.
swathdiver
Full Access Member
In older manuals, the tow rating for trucks with 22" wheels was lowered to a flat 5,000 pounds. Now that would still require electric brakes but I guess they figured the few hundred Esky owners who do tow are pulling Jet Skis at most.
GM is still using the same 2500 chassis on the K2s, just not yet for the public last time I looked. Duraburb though had one for sale recently.
Vector
Full Access Member
If I understand your post correctly, do my stock 22's reduce my capacity below what the specs for towing?
This guy dont care
Vector
Full Access Member
Is there a honey badger in that photo, or are you referring to the Esky without a hitch cover?
I was being a wiseass but if you
Zoom in, he got 22’s and a pretty well used looking drop hitch. Dont know what he’s towing tho...
To answer your question above, i believe with 22’s it does lower your trailer weight rating because the sidewall of the tire is smaller and the load rating on the tire is probably lower than say a 20 or 18 inch tire.
swathdiver
Full Access Member
Maybe. Better check your door jamb sticker, owner's manual and maybe even the brochure. I'd seen it before somewhere for the older ones but after a quick looksee I cannot find anything concrete right now; also have splitting headache.
noob
Full Access Member
I towed my dad’s 26 ft robalo center console with my 2010 escalade a few Years back. Haven’t tried with my 2017 escalade. I have 24 inch rims on the 2010 and it towed without issue. No brakes on the trailer, but it tracked fine. Needed to brake early though, but we live 5-10 min away from the boat launch.
