If the trailer has surge brakes, it won’t need a brake controller.
Don’t forget, when considering GVWR and towing capacity, if you get a weight distribution hitch and a sway control device, you will need to consider the weight of this additional gear and add it to the trailer’s GVWR and tongue weight.
That V-6 would really be wheezing trying to pull that much weight up a 7% grade at high altitude and it’s not something I would want to do. A lot of people that are stacked up behind you will probably make various gestures and refer to you by colorful names when they finally get an opportunity to pass.
Even with 2 axles, the tires tend to be small. You have to be meticulous with tire pressure. I bought a compressor to carry with me because the pressure would change depending on altitude and climate. Also its hard to find air on the road. If I were to RV again, I would go with a motor home or a fifth wheel with one of those big rig haulers. With about a 500 gallon gray water tank.
That’s great for you, but the rigs you would want would be a lot more expensive than what the OP is considering. What you are proposing would cost between $70,000 and $200,000. The trailer the OP wants probably costs between $8,000 and $20,000.
All the responses have really helped me. I want to thank everybody that responded. One more thing, the saleman trying to sell me the trailer was more than willing to put me in a bad deal (truck to small for the trailer) just to earn his commission. I am happy that I investigated this matter more, something did not seem right to me.
That 3225 lbs limit you mention makes sense based on what I have experienced so far. Currently I tow a pop-up trailer that weighs 3,000 lbs. I have often climbed a long steady mountain going west from Yuma Az to SD Ca and have noticed that even at this weigh it takes some work on the part of that V-6. But like I said, I am on a budget and I was hoping against hope.
I just want to make the point that trailering is not as casual as it seems. After you see a few destroyed trailers along the freeway with folks belongings strewn about; after you’ve had a few blow-outs and near fires; after you’ve burned out a few trannies and rear axles, the added initial expense of a heavy duty unit seems like a deal. I think that is what sold me on the Hensley, because it added significant control over the rig, although it was bothersome to hitch and unhitch.
You might seriously consider buying a small light weight trailer like a Casita. Not spacious but well appointed and your weight issues will vanish along with wear and tear and bad gas mileage.