Rewire E 150 van to tow
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Rewire E 150 van to tow
Rewiring 1984 E 150 van for a 6 round plug -- How many amps do the brakes draw? i.e. what size fuse should we put in? More importantly, can the existing brake switch handle this extra current? Thanks.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Hi ncvan, thanks for joining us in the Towing forum! 
Like acerockola77 said, your fuse and brake light switch will handle the extra current for trailer stop lights without any trouble.
Like acerockola77 said, your fuse and brake light switch will handle the extra current for trailer stop lights without any trouble.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
He said how much do the brakes draw and he's adding a 6 prong plug. His brake lights are the same as the signal lights so he woudn't be wiring them. I think he's asking if he can use the positive side of the brake light switch to power his brake controller. If you are adding a brake controller I would run a new wire from the battery or a convenient post to the brake controller with a 30 amp breaker.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Okay -- let us back up a bit --
ABC of towing -- Do we get it that a brake controller applies braking pressure more gradually?
Do we need a brake controller? The van (84 E150) came wired with a 4 flat plug and a crummy bumper hitch. We have put on good hitch so we can haul one or two horses locally. (Trailer is similar to horsepuller's -- a 1986 Supreme.)
Feel like I'm digging myself a bigger hole!
ABC of towing -- Do we get it that a brake controller applies braking pressure more gradually?
Do we need a brake controller? The van (84 E150) came wired with a 4 flat plug and a crummy bumper hitch. We have put on good hitch so we can haul one or two horses locally. (Trailer is similar to horsepuller's -- a 1986 Supreme.)
Feel like I'm digging myself a bigger hole!
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
If your trailer has electric brakes, then you need an electric brake controller. When you asked "How many amps do the brakes draw?", what were you talking about, brakes or brake lights? If you are talking running a wire from your brake light switch to the electric brakes on your trailer, you better go see a professional installer.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Update.
What we needed was ABC as I asked, not a dump to "a professional" without providing the basics I asked for (sorry Tom). Our towing experiences to date had all involved trailers with surge brakes (including the largest one U-Haul made) so we were just trying to get up to speed on the whole electric brake thing.
Hubby does all maintenance on vehicles, and while not an expert mechanic, has torn down and replaced more than one engine. But, moving on -- We ended up picking up a brake controller which is the primary thing we needed, plus adding a break away unit, and replacing undersized chains (it is a 1987 trailer). We have one ornery turn signal light which chooses not to work yet, but are working on that wiring/?socket problem. We towed the other day loaded with the two horses for the first time :-) and expect many happy hours.
Eventually we will move up to a better tow vehicle, but for the short distances and terrain we are travelling this will suffice for now. The forum has been very useful tracking down bits and pieces of info. Thanks.
What we needed was ABC as I asked, not a dump to "a professional" without providing the basics I asked for (sorry Tom). Our towing experiences to date had all involved trailers with surge brakes (including the largest one U-Haul made) so we were just trying to get up to speed on the whole electric brake thing.
Hubby does all maintenance on vehicles, and while not an expert mechanic, has torn down and replaced more than one engine. But, moving on -- We ended up picking up a brake controller which is the primary thing we needed, plus adding a break away unit, and replacing undersized chains (it is a 1987 trailer). We have one ornery turn signal light which chooses not to work yet, but are working on that wiring/?socket problem. We towed the other day loaded with the two horses for the first time :-) and expect many happy hours.
Eventually we will move up to a better tow vehicle, but for the short distances and terrain we are travelling this will suffice for now. The forum has been very useful tracking down bits and pieces of info. Thanks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
400inatruck
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
42
Dec 24, 2011 07:36 PM
