I just bought an 16' car hauler today with electric brakes on both axles. I'm pretty new to towing heavier loads/having a trailer with brakes so some advice would be great. I towed it home today without hooking up the lights/brake connection because I'm pretty sure there's no brake controller on my truck. The brakes haven't been used in at least 10 years so I was also a little reluctant to try them out on the drive home. FYI the trailer plug was an older style 6 (maybe 7) round plug type. I bought an adapter to fit my 2000's RV style plug.

1.) Do I need a brake controller for the trailer brakes to be activated?
2.)The PO of the trailer told me the lights hadnt been used in 10 years either... and I should check all the wiring before plugging them in as to avoid shorting out my truck's brake lights. Not sure of the validity of this concern. I was planning on just plugging them in to test out the lights. Any reason for concern?
3.) Anyone have a recommendation of a cost effective brake controller they would recommend?

 

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!

 

Scott (gr8Scott) over in the Excursion forum is selling his Tekonsha Prodigy (P2) controller for $40 bucks shipped to FTE members. He has it on CL for $50 bucks.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10314245

Stewart

 

That's a sweet deal I'd jump on that if I were you, I have a Prodigy and I like it a lot. I think i paid over $80.00 for mine about 3,4 years ago there going for about $120.00 now.

 

I use Drawtite but i encourage you to buy the $40 Prodigy. That is a good deal.

 

Thanks for the plug Stew!

Get it while you can. Sure it won't last long now.

 

Told you it wouldn't last long.

SOLD!!

 

Wow!

Someone from FTE?

Stewart

 

Yes, roostercrows bought it.

 

Thanks for the heads up Stew! I needed one, and now will soon be getting one!

And Scott.....your pm box is full. lol

 

I dumped it just a few minutes ago.

 

You're welcome James. Glad I could bring it to your attention!

Stewart

 

Another thumbs up for the Prodigy, I use it on my 550 and really like it.

 

Is the prodigy p2 plug and play or does it require hard wiring it into the trucks harness? I have a 99 F250 early model. Thanks.

 

They make vehicle specific wire harnesses. One end plugs into the connector under the dash and the other end connects to the back of the brake controller.