Buying truck that has a brake controller?

[311Hemi]

Would you buy a truck (in this case a 01' Suburban with 140k) that has a brake controller installed? Current owner said he did not install or use the controller, and has owned the truck for 20k miles and no longer uses ut. Purchased from Merit Chev a year or two ago, obviously used. All fluids in the truck were changed a few months ago, new tires, etc. The only thing I wonder about is the controller part of it and the tranny in these things. Current owner said the tranny shifts great and is solid.

[CAMAN]

Do you mean a trailer brake controller? If so, why would that be an issue?

[Bigtom]

yes I would, they could of used it on any trailer 2000lbs or bigger. Probely a camper. I have a 03 chevy 1/2 ton with 180000 miles on it that plowes snow and tows a trailer all summer. No major problems yet.

[311Hemi]

Yep, I do. I guess I would view that as the truck could have previously done some heavy towing.

I was told tranny, t-case, and diffs were all serviced and nothing was noted as having an issue.

[highlife4me]

Electric brakes are needed on any trailer over 3500 lbs. Could have been something as light as a utility trailer or fish house may have been a tri axle lowboy hauling a bulldozer, one never knows. I would check for any suspension upgrades or sagging rearend or even a very worn ball hitch. If none of these are present I wouldn't be afraid to buy it. Look at it this way - Who hasn't pulled something over 3500 lbs. with a truck or suv at one time or another. It doesn't mean that is all it ever was used for.

[MJ1657]

To be honest with you I would find that encouraging. If it did tow something it would have been easier on the truck and it shows the owner was thinking about that.

Like others have said alot of trailers are coming with brakes now. Thankfully

[marine_man]

I'd be inclined to see if it had a tranny cooler on it then... besides the one that's part of the radiator.. a separate auxiliary cooler.

Still not a make or break type of deal, but something to consider.

marine_man

[311Hemi]

Thanks for the info, but apparently the guy sold the truck this afternoon. I was supposed to meet him tonight...but I guess that is not happening. A little frustrated after paying for a carfax on it.

[NCLaker]

There was another nice Suburban 02 - listed on that site for a good price. But if you haven't already seen and contacted the seller, you are probably sol.

Unfortuanately, you have to be all over any hot listing. I got lucky and saw my listing within the first hour and dropped everything to look at it and complete the sale.

Good luck finding what you are looking for - you'll find it, but can take a lot of patients and quick action when it shows up. Good to see you are checking Carfax, also good to have a mechanic look at it - better safe than sorry.