Trailer Brake Controller install questions
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Dearborn Heights, MI
Trailer Brake Controller install questions
Hey yall, Has anyone installed a controller for trailer brakes? I need to install one for my IDI. We are on a mission to rescue my buddy's 87 150 4x4 this weekend. and the trailer we have to use has electric brakes. I'm pretty good with electrical. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips or hints for installing one. I've done a fair share of towing. Just nothing that has required a controller. So any thoughts would be appriciated! Thanks
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Mount it as close to level as you can (front to back) buy enough wire to go front to back to attach the the 7 pin connector, hook positive, ground and one of those add a wire things to the output of the brake light wire and you are good to go.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: CT
There is some special thing you do on the abs model regarding the brake switch. But, you don't have abs so don't worry about that.
The controller you get should have instructions. Probably need some extra wire to get the brake controller signal to the back.
Get a t connector,( not sure what they call them )that connects into the rear brake wire going to the lights. That will give you 4 pin, and the brake controller will give you the rest for the 7 pin or whatever it is.
My truck has a brake controller on it but i didn't put it in. But, i can help where i can.
The controller you get should have instructions. Probably need some extra wire to get the brake controller signal to the back.
Get a t connector,( not sure what they call them )that connects into the rear brake wire going to the lights. That will give you 4 pin, and the brake controller will give you the rest for the 7 pin or whatever it is.
My truck has a brake controller on it but i didn't put it in. But, i can help where i can.
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From: Dearborn Heights, MI
Ok, thanks...I do know it has the factory towing package. And it has a Gooseneck hitch in the bed. but there was no controller when I bought it. I checked and it has the factory wiring harness for a brake controller. So I assume it can be a plug and play situation. Just have to wire in a 7 way? I already have the 4-way flat in and it is functional. Or are you saying that I can get an adapter for a 4 to 7 and wire in the last 3 spots.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Co
Something like this will probbly be the easiest to hook up connector wise, plug it in to your exisiting 4 way, add ground, brake signal, 12v aux power and your good to go (most parts stores have something along these lines)
Just keep in mind when it comes to brake controllers you trully do get what you pay for and the better the controller the easier to tow.
Just keep in mind when it comes to brake controllers you trully do get what you pay for and the better the controller the easier to tow.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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i bought an adapter similar to that one for the time i had to tow a trailer of 5k on flat highways. i was just worried about lights, and it got the job done. not long after that, i permanently mounted a 7 pin plug and a brake controller.
wiring is pretty simple. the controller has 4 wires coming out of it: ground, power in, signal in, power out. the power in should be protected by a 30 amp circuit breaker, and go directly from the breaker to the battery or distribution block.
signal in connects to the brake pedal switch wire, NOT one of the ones going to the lights at the rear of the truck. the brake switch in my 87 has 2 wires, you want the one that only has power when the pedal is pressed.
the other wires are self-explanatory.
the trailer plug should also have a connection to the battery, protected by another 30 amp circuit breaker, to maintain the trailer's onboard battery.
google the wiring diagram for the trailer plug if the one you buy doesn't include a diagram
wiring is pretty simple. the controller has 4 wires coming out of it: ground, power in, signal in, power out. the power in should be protected by a 30 amp circuit breaker, and go directly from the breaker to the battery or distribution block.
signal in connects to the brake pedal switch wire, NOT one of the ones going to the lights at the rear of the truck. the brake switch in my 87 has 2 wires, you want the one that only has power when the pedal is pressed.
the other wires are self-explanatory.
the trailer plug should also have a connection to the battery, protected by another 30 amp circuit breaker, to maintain the trailer's onboard battery.
google the wiring diagram for the trailer plug if the one you buy doesn't include a diagram
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From: Dearborn Heights, MI
Thanks for all the help guys. Me and a buddy were able to get it wired up. Bought the 4-7pin adapter. Its pretty cool, has a 4 pin built into the side of the 7pin's bracket. Come to find out, the PO just cut the wires to the controller he had in it and left it plugged into the factory harness. So a little bit of digging and it was perfect, just connected the old wires to the new controller. It's just a flat deck trailer with no extra electrical on it. No winch, but we have a come-a-long. But we think we will be able to get the truck to run enough to drive it on. If not, We're picking up a 4x4 quad to, so we will have that, and well my IDI lol.
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From: Dearborn Heights, MI
Haha yea, well when your vertically and mass challenged like me, it's not that bad lol.
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