Trailer Wiring?
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
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From: Americus,GA
Trailer Wiring?
I have a 2005 F-150. Its a basic work truck model. I'm borrowing a trailer that has brakes and a "round" power plug to hook to the truck. Problem is, I dont have this on my truck. I had a 2002 f-250 and it had the outlet. Someone said that my truck did have this "round" connector under my bumper. I looked and didn't see anything. Just the standard 4 point plug.
Do I need to buy the round one? And if so, Do I need to worry about not having a brake controller in my cab? I don't want to short anything out.
Do I need to buy the round one? And if so, Do I need to worry about not having a brake controller in my cab? I don't want to short anything out.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You can get adapters to adapt the 4 prong to the round plug. But you will just have lights only, no brakes. If you are going to haul something heavy like a car, you need the brakes.
Could you get by without the brakes? Sure, if you are careful. But if you were involved in an accident, and the investigation found out you were over a certain weight and did not have brakes, you will be in trouble.
Could you get by without the brakes? Sure, if you are careful. But if you were involved in an accident, and the investigation found out you were over a certain weight and did not have brakes, you will be in trouble.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Sunny SOCAL!
Spend the time and or money and get the wiring done. If nothing else just for your piece of mind. It also depends on what kind of trailer you are hauling. Utiliity trailer, generally not equiped with electric brakes, or a travel trailer which does have them.
If you were involved in a crash not having trailer brakes would probably not be listed as the "Primary collision factor" which is what generally decides fault in a traffic investigation but if discovered would probably be listed as an associated factor. Where this would come into play would be with your insurance and they may choose not to cover you because it could be considered in their eyes as you being negligent.
If you were involved in a crash not having trailer brakes would probably not be listed as the "Primary collision factor" which is what generally decides fault in a traffic investigation but if discovered would probably be listed as an associated factor. Where this would come into play would be with your insurance and they may choose not to cover you because it could be considered in their eyes as you being negligent.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
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From: Americus,GA
Yeah, I can go without the brakes. I'm just haulin' a little bit of lumber. My trailer's tires are shot and the one I'm borrowing is in great shape. I just didn't quite know how all that worked. I didn't know if by not having the brake controller in the cab I might short somethin'. Wasn't sure if the lights is all that would have power. Now I know.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Americus,GA
The trailer is a 16' flatbed. My trailer has no brakes. My buddy had these brakes put on his. He hauls his 30hp tracor everywhere. I'll be hauling a fairly good load of 2x4's from Northeast Alabama to Southwest Georgia.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Sunny SOCAL!
I am not an expert but do tow a 30 ft travel trailer and a small utility trailer. If your trailer is not equiped with brakes then there is no need for a brake controller. Having one or not having one should have no bearing on your trailer operation meaning all your lights and signals will work, providing they worked before you hooked it up, (had that problem with a trailer once, borrowed it from a friend and the lights didn't work)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Adam
> Americus,GA
FWIW: By GA law, anything 3,000 pounds and over has to have brakes on all axles. If you get stopped on I-20 on someone's slow day it can get expensive. When they have one guy waiting on the overpass and seven cruisers waiting on the exit ramps to nab people going by, I would count on being pulled over for an inspection if the trailer looks home made and no speeders are present.
If this is a short one day trip, the local U-Hauls rent a 6x12 with hydraulic brakes for $34 a day with insurance. It is what I use for hauling firewood.
fwiw:
GA 40-8-35
(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, every trailer or
semitrailer of 3,000 pounds gross weight or more shall be equipped with brakes on all
wheels.
> Americus,GA
FWIW: By GA law, anything 3,000 pounds and over has to have brakes on all axles. If you get stopped on I-20 on someone's slow day it can get expensive. When they have one guy waiting on the overpass and seven cruisers waiting on the exit ramps to nab people going by, I would count on being pulled over for an inspection if the trailer looks home made and no speeders are present.
If this is a short one day trip, the local U-Hauls rent a 6x12 with hydraulic brakes for $34 a day with insurance. It is what I use for hauling firewood.
fwiw:
GA 40-8-35
(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, every trailer or
semitrailer of 3,000 pounds gross weight or more shall be equipped with brakes on all
wheels.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
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From: Americus,GA
Well, I made it. We pulled 52 2x6x24' and 26 2x6x16'. The load wasn't that heavy. However, I boat a Pontoon boat while I was up there, so my brother pulled the trailer with his 2003 Jeep Cherokee. Those 24' 2x6's hung off the trailer enough to make it fishtail. We had to take it slow coming home, but made it back safe.
Thank Yall for the info.
Thank Yall for the info.
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