Electric Brake question
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Electric Brake question
I just got a 2000 F-350 SD and the first job it had was to pull a dump trailer with some rock for the driveway. The trailer had electric brakes with the 7 prong ring hookup. The truck also has the built in female connection under the bumper.
Now I assumed that I would need a controller for the electric brakes to work, but I plugged in the trailer anyway to see how it did. The lights worked fine so I figured that I would go ahead and get some rock and just take it real slow and easy.
Well, the trailer weighs app. 3800# and I had 4 tons of rock in the trailer and it still stopped so good that it made me wonder if the truck has a controller built in to it somewhere.
Is that a possiblity?? I know 4 disc brakes are good, but this thing stopped all that weight a little too easy for the electric brakes not to be working.
Anyone have any info on this? Do I still need a controller or does it already have one? I had understood that the plug for the controller was under the center of the dash (that is if I need one).
Figured I would go out in the morning with a voltmeter and see if it's actually feeding juice through the brake prongs.
Any info on this would be appreciated!
Now I assumed that I would need a controller for the electric brakes to work, but I plugged in the trailer anyway to see how it did. The lights worked fine so I figured that I would go ahead and get some rock and just take it real slow and easy.
Well, the trailer weighs app. 3800# and I had 4 tons of rock in the trailer and it still stopped so good that it made me wonder if the truck has a controller built in to it somewhere.
Is that a possiblity?? I know 4 disc brakes are good, but this thing stopped all that weight a little too easy for the electric brakes not to be working.
Anyone have any info on this? Do I still need a controller or does it already have one? I had understood that the plug for the controller was under the center of the dash (that is if I need one).
Figured I would go out in the morning with a voltmeter and see if it's actually feeding juice through the brake prongs.
Any info on this would be appreciated!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, GA
Electric Brake question
Unless the previous owner installed it and hid it some where, then you don't have electric brakes. In order to have them work, you will have to install a controller, and there are a couple of fuses, along with a relay that has to been installed under the hood, to get everything to work.
Since you already have the hook up at the receiver, then the relay and fuses may already be in place. My '00 came with a package in the glove box that had the wiring harness for the controller, along with the fuses and relay.
Hope this helps...
Since you already have the hook up at the receiver, then the relay and fuses may already be in place. My '00 came with a package in the glove box that had the wiring harness for the controller, along with the fuses and relay.
Hope this helps...
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Electric Brake question
Don't put the built in controller past you too fast. My uncle has a 2002 GMC with a built in controller. The only thing is I don't think they work to propotionally b/c when he taps the brakes the trailer brakes lock up. Kinda funny but dangerous at the same time
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Electric Brake question
bddo is right. No such thing as a "built-in" controller from the factory. Someone may have added one and hidden it ( VERY stupid), but that is the only way you'd have trailer brakes.
smcdonn-
Sounds like your Uncle's truck/trailer is wired incorrectly. This would explain why the trailer brakes lock up when tapping the brake peddle. I have an '03 GMC 2500HD and there is no factory option for a brake controller- nor was there in '02.
smcdonn-
Sounds like your Uncle's truck/trailer is wired incorrectly. This would explain why the trailer brakes lock up when tapping the brake peddle. I have an '03 GMC 2500HD and there is no factory option for a brake controller- nor was there in '02.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 437
Likes: 3
From: Fayetteville (Atlanta) GA
Electric Brake question
Slewfoot,
Be careful towing that much weight with no electric brakes, you can overheat and warp your rotors. This is a common problem on 2000 SD's.
I have the instruction sheet that shows the realys, fuses, and harness connections for a 2000 if you need any info.
GAV10 Mark
Be careful towing that much weight with no electric brakes, you can overheat and warp your rotors. This is a common problem on 2000 SD's.
I have the instruction sheet that shows the realys, fuses, and harness connections for a 2000 if you need any info.
GAV10 Mark
