Hello,

I have a 2004 SD and will be picking up an open ari car hauler to haul a Jeep on. The trailer has electric brakes on each axle. I need to rig the truck with a brake controller but I know very little of them. Can someone point me to a tutorial for what I need to do to setup my truck with a brake controller? I know I have a plug near the hitch but I need to actually install a controller in the cab to take advantage of the system ....right?

Also, if anyone has any recommendations about what controller to user, I am wide open...

Thanks!!

Dave.

 

Yes the brake controler does have to be hooked up inside the cab.
It will have a power, ground, and another lead/wire that will hook to the power wire at the brake pedal switch. So when you press the brake pedal that will turn you're brake lights on, you are also powering the brake control.
Bob

 

I can't make any recommendations on a controller. I opted for the Tow Command system on my truck. This is from an RV forum, when they asked an "expert" about the best brake controllers.:

1) BrakeSmart: Uses hydraulic sensor installed in the brake line near the master cylinder. BrakeSmart is the smoothest and most precise controller on the market, and one of the most expensive. $435

#2) TruControl: Uses an advanced accelerometer with a sophisticated software. Very easy installation, plug and play. Available late September 2006. I've not tried it, but I hear it should perform very well. $397

#3) Jordan Ultima 2020: Utilizes a cable attached to the arm of the brake pedal to provide extremely smooth braking. The Jordan is the best value for performance and price. $120

#4) Sens-a-Brake: Uses a pressure sensitive pad attached to the face of the brake pedal to send a proportional signal to their EVO controller. Very smooth. Product of New Zealand. Cost approximately $250

#5) Prodigy (and clones): Accelerometer based controller. Very popular. Easy to install. Not as smooth as the previous controller, but acceptable. $100

Do not purchase or install a time based or pendulum type controller. Pick one of the five brake controllers I've listed and enjoy safe, smooth barking.

 

Thanks for the info. If I buy a wiring kit for the Jordan or Prodigy, is there any need for splicing or soldering or does it plug directly in to some harness under the dash. Suprisingly, googling this subject turns up very little installation information....

Thanks.
Dave.

 

Hi Dave,

Just something you might want to check.I have a '99 SD which I put a brake controller on last summer and found that the fuses for were not installed from the factory. Under the hood in the fuse block next to the firewall I had to add a 30 amp max, and two 7.5 maxi fuses. look in your manual and make sure the fuses are there or your brake controller will not work. Installing it was easy, I found the plug under the dash, right of the steering column under the radio and a/c controls...It was a square plug with I believe 6 wires, my controller pluged right in with no soldering/splicing.. I will never tow again without brakes on the trailer. What a difference it makes! Good luck,Jim

 

I have an Accu-break on my duelly it is a digital time based controler, and I have no problems with it. $89.00 at tractor supply. If you arnt pulling heavy all the time it will be ok.
Ive heard all this get this one and that one spend$$$$$$ I have pulled 30 foot goosenecks full of cattle (can you say overloaded) with the cheap ones and the expensive ones that go off of the brake lines. Yes the brake line one was better
smoother but getting the cheap ones adjusted right and there was no problem with them either.

To hook up a digital controler get a wiring harness from your dealer and run a heavy wire to the trailer plug, then make sure the trailer brakes work.

Jim