I have rented several U-haul trailers and all of them had hydraulic brakes, so I didn't need a brake controller. As far as I know, U-haul is the only large rental company that will rent a trailer without you renting their truck also. I have hauled pretty heavy loads over Ranger hill when I moved from Midland to Stephenville. My 1991 6 cyl. Chevy truck was up to the task. My only fear of crossing that hill would be the lack of brakes on the way down the hill. Check with U-haul and make sure that the trailer has hydraulic brakes. If it does, when you apply the brakes, the actuator tongue on the trailer engages the brakes.
Maybe some of this helps.
