Setting up a 2003 Expedition to tow with brakes
#1
Setting up a 2003 Expedition to tow with brakes
I just acquired a 2003 Expedition 2wd, 5.4 that I need to use to tow a trailer that has brakes. It currently only has a factory flat connector.
I would like to add a brake controller and 7 way connector. My question is what is the best, easiest, cost effective way to get this done. I can do it myself, I just need to know the best parts to buy and where.
Thanks!
I would like to add a brake controller and 7 way connector. My question is what is the best, easiest, cost effective way to get this done. I can do it myself, I just need to know the best parts to buy and where.
Thanks!
#2
#3
Thanks for responding. I'll check them out.
#4
Plus one
Plus one on etrailer and prodigy controller.
An afternoon and about 250$ and you will be set.
You may may need or want to add constant power and or back up lights to your new 7 way receptacle on the truck depends on your needs.
Campers want constant 12v for battery charging and lights and fridge and stuff.
Stuff to consider.
An afternoon and about 250$ and you will be set.
You may may need or want to add constant power and or back up lights to your new 7 way receptacle on the truck depends on your needs.
Campers want constant 12v for battery charging and lights and fridge and stuff.
Stuff to consider.
#5
#6
Interior Trailer lights and 12v
It depends on the trailer. Some trailers are wired with the interior lights powered off of the running lights on the truck. Other trailers are wired with the interior lights on constant 12v power.
Downside of the first way is every time you want light in trailer you have to go and turn on truck lights first.
If needed it does not take that long to run 20 feet of single primary wire with a 20 amp fuse to the battery from a 7 way
I don’t have reverse lights hooked up to trailer lights on my three trucks. However when backing in the dark I have to hang a light off back of trailer.
etrailer will have all the parts
there is an 7 way that has a 4-way plug in the back so no cut/splice and prewired and sealed with short whips for additional accessories to be crimped on. Better at keeping water and road salt out of receptical
It takes a little longer to run wires on vehicles for longevity. Grease in connectors and shrink tubing and tidy zip ties takes time.
Tip. Avoid scotchlock connectors. The type that just pinch onto a wire to tap power. They always fail and usually cause corroded wires within insulation
Downside of the first way is every time you want light in trailer you have to go and turn on truck lights first.
If needed it does not take that long to run 20 feet of single primary wire with a 20 amp fuse to the battery from a 7 way
I don’t have reverse lights hooked up to trailer lights on my three trucks. However when backing in the dark I have to hang a light off back of trailer.
etrailer will have all the parts
there is an 7 way that has a 4-way plug in the back so no cut/splice and prewired and sealed with short whips for additional accessories to be crimped on. Better at keeping water and road salt out of receptical
It takes a little longer to run wires on vehicles for longevity. Grease in connectors and shrink tubing and tidy zip ties takes time.
Tip. Avoid scotchlock connectors. The type that just pinch onto a wire to tap power. They always fail and usually cause corroded wires within insulation
#7
Cheap brake controllers
Another Thing to comment on was your post mentioned the cheapest way to add electric brakes to your truck. Please stay away from the cheapest brake controllers they do not work well at all. The symptoms of a cheap controller are not sensitive enough for normal breaking and not aggressive enough for heavy breaking
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