We have a 1700-2000lb (depending on how it's loaded) Coleman popup camper. We were pulling it with ease with our 1993 Eurovan, but we just sold it, so the 1999 XC will get the duty.

I went to U-Haul today, had to special order the "Draw Tite"...$92...I thought that was very reasonable.

Then there's some kind of "wire converter" that gets the wires correct to hook up to the trailer lights...$20.

But the mechanic at U-Haul says he won't install a brake controller because of the way the underside of the dash on the driver side slopes up...he says the brake controller needs to be level. I swear the brake controller on our Eurovan was NOT level and the controller worked fine.

Another person at U-Haul says I don't need a brake controller at all because the trailer is "only" 2000 pounds.

I would feel better with a brake controller.

So...

Anybody have any input on where to buy a brake controller that can be mounted sloping UP or that will otherwise work fine in the XC? Another possibility is to mount the controller in the glovebox or sometplace else where I can both reach it AND it will be level.

Also, any other tips on towing? I plan to tow maybe 5 times a year within a couple hundred miles of home...but it WILL probably be into steep mountains at 7,000 to 10,000 feet (New Mexico and sounthern Colorado).

Is the transmission cooler in the XC up to the job? Is the TRANSMISSION up to the job?

Thanks very much