Brake controller
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
1. Yes, you need a brake controller to operate the trailer brakes. However, it's possible to activate the brakes by accident if you are using a 6 pin plug. 6 pin plugs have two possible wiring choices. The early method had the brake signal on the center pin. This was later changed so the center pin is constant 12v (to charge the battery for the break away system) and the electric brake signal is on the 2 o-clock position (when looking at the plug wired to the trailer...). So, if your trailer brakes are wired to the center pin and your adapter is for the later style, then the trailer brakes will be applied once you plug the trailer into your truck (and the engine is started). Obviously this is not ideal.
Your 7 pin to 6 pin adapter should say something like (center=12v) or (center=brake). I have both kinds in my truck box depending on what I am towing. You need to check your trailer and see how it's wired or just re-wire it to have a 7 pin plug and you will be safe. If it were me, I'd re-wire it for the 7 pin plug and add reverse lights to the trailer as well.
2. I have a trailer plug tester that I use to check the truck side but I don't have an emulator to test the trailer wiring. I normally just plug the trailer to the truck and test the wiring that way. On my truck (I assume yours is the same way...), there is a separate fuse panel under the hood that is completely separate from the truck systems so if something were wrong with the trailer then it would just blow a fuse while not affecting the truck itself. So, I wouldn't worry about plugging in the trailer to test it out.
3. For cost/value it's hard to beat a basic model such as
Brake Controllers - Tekonsha
There are better controllers out there with several nice features but the Voyager does the job pretty well once you get it set up. I've been using one like this for the last 10 years and it's been pretty solid so I haven't seen any reason to upgrade yet. Sometimes simple is better IMO...
Hope this info helps. Happy towing!
Your 7 pin to 6 pin adapter should say something like (center=12v) or (center=brake). I have both kinds in my truck box depending on what I am towing. You need to check your trailer and see how it's wired or just re-wire it to have a 7 pin plug and you will be safe. If it were me, I'd re-wire it for the 7 pin plug and add reverse lights to the trailer as well.
2. I have a trailer plug tester that I use to check the truck side but I don't have an emulator to test the trailer wiring. I normally just plug the trailer to the truck and test the wiring that way. On my truck (I assume yours is the same way...), there is a separate fuse panel under the hood that is completely separate from the truck systems so if something were wrong with the trailer then it would just blow a fuse while not affecting the truck itself. So, I wouldn't worry about plugging in the trailer to test it out.
3. For cost/value it's hard to beat a basic model such as
Brake Controllers - Tekonsha
There are better controllers out there with several nice features but the Voyager does the job pretty well once you get it set up. I've been using one like this for the last 10 years and it's been pretty solid so I haven't seen any reason to upgrade yet. Sometimes simple is better IMO...
Hope this info helps. Happy towing!
Thanks for all the great info, you answered everything perfectly. I think I'll take your advice and rewire the trailer to a 7 pin connector. I doubt this would be too difficult.
Good to hear our trucks have a separate fuse box for towing, I didn't want to be blowing fuses that would affect the trucks driveability!
I think I'll end up buying one of those Tekonsha controllers. I was super busy yesterday and didn't get home to view the replies to this thread until late last night. Looks like I must missed out on that great deal on the $40 controller, bummer.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
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If anyone else is interested in a Tekonsha controller I just bought mine on Amazon with the Ford adapter (part 3035) for $71 shipped.
Amazon.com: Tekonsha 9030 Voyager Electronic Brake Control: Automotive
Amazon.com: Tekonsha 3035-P Brake Control Wiring Adapter for 94-C Ford: Automotive
Amazon.com: Tekonsha 9030 Voyager Electronic Brake Control: Automotive
Amazon.com: Tekonsha 3035-P Brake Control Wiring Adapter for 94-C Ford: Automotive
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
In preparation for installing the brake controller, I just went out and looked around for the Ford plug under the dash. I didnt seem to find it, but did find a cut harness pictured below. Is end end of this cut harness supposed to be the Ford trailer brake plug?
<a href="http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/?action=view&current=7e498b17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/7e498b17.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/?action=view&current=5e1701ab.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/5e1701ab.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/?action=view&current=7e498b17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/7e498b17.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/?action=view&current=5e1701ab.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/nitro3421/5e1701ab.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 6
I actually went back out there and found the end of that cut harness. It was plugged into a receptacle that looks like the female end for the tekonsha harness. I think I'm set. Here's what I pulled out:
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Delta, CO
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
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Not sure what the piece I pulled out (the one in the picture on my desk) was for, it appears to be a factory harness for something else added at some point?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
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From: Mesa AZ
The piece I pulled out was plugged into the factory brake control wires. I'll take a look at the connector still in the truck and hopefully that one has 4 wires.
Not sure what the piece I pulled out (the one in the picture on my desk) was for, it appears to be a factory harness for something else added at some point?
Not sure what the piece I pulled out (the one in the picture on my desk) was for, it appears to be a factory harness for something else added at some point?
The plug in your photo looks just like the brake controller harness to me so I think you are all set. When your parts come in they should just plug right in and you should be good to go.
Junior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 53
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From: Hawk Point, Mo....
Hey Deluxe06 - I have just bought a 1999 F350 and would like to put a Voyager on to brake a trailer. Just curious if you found a pigtail plug under the dash to connect the harness too? In the instructions it says there might be one available but I have no idea what to look for or where. I saw a flat plud near the left side kick panel near the fuses and it had a cover pluged into it. Like 6 or 7 pin. I suspected this one but not sure. Got any advice on this?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
With the knee panel under the sterring wheel removed, this is looking from the drivers side towards the dash, under the climate control and radio.
The factory harness plug is grey, the brake control pigtail is brown.
Stewart
The factory harness plug is grey, the brake control pigtail is brown.
Stewart
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 234
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From: SoCal
My problem is this: my situation is exactly the picture above. That silver metal support bar is kind of in the way & it seems like it would be difficult to get the old brown plug for the pigtail out of the gray factory harness, so I can plug my new Tekonsha plug-n-play harness in. I made a quick attempt at removing the center lower dash as I thought trying to access it from the other side of the metal support bar might be easier. However I couldn't get the center lower dash piece out. I removed the 2 7mm bolts at the bottom near the transmission tunnel hump, as well as the 2 7mm bolts holding the trash hook in. But the center lower dash panel seems to still be connected at the top somewhere (just under the AC controls), and I couldn't see any other bolts to remove.
So my questions are:
- how easy/difficult is it to disconnect the old pigtail & connect the new plug-n-play harness from/to the gray factory brake controller harness from the under the steering column with the fuse panel with the 4 thumbscrews removed (as depicted in the picture above)?
- what else needs to be done/removed to allow one to remove the center lower dash panel so I can access the gray factory controller harness from the other side of the support bar?
- as a side question: when hardwiring a 7-way trailer connector, one usually uses a 20A circuit breaker on the brake controller to prevent excessive draw on the blue brake output to the trailer, and a 30A circuit breaker on the aux 12V power line (used for charging trailer breakaway battery etc.). I don't have the factory manual on me, but saw a few somewhat related Google results that seem to indicate that there are suitable trailer tow relays & fuses (instead of circuit breakers) installed in the fuse panel in the engine compartment. 2 previous owners of my Excursion have both towed with it, so I assume the wiring is all good, but would like to locate the relevant trailer tow relays & fuses or circuit breakers, so I can be sure there won't be an issue in the event that either the brake controller output or aux 12V wires accidentally get shorted. Can anyone confirm whether there are (spaces for) trailer tow relays & fuses in the fuse panel in the engine compartment, or should I be looking underneath on the chassis to check that circuit breakers were added to protect those lines?