electronic trailer brake controller

[BobWeber]

I have ordered a '03 3500 2X4, should be here in a few weeks. I will have to install an electronic brake controller. On another board, someone said that the trucks are already wired for this. Any comments, or thoughts? Thanks, Bob

 

[BillGotthelf]

There is a pigtail under the dash that is for this. With my truck I recieved a pigtail to mate up to this with a short (12") lenght of wires attached. I just followed the wiring diagram for the brake controller and it wires right up.

 

[RMcCulloch]

Originally posted by BobWeber

I have ordered a '03 3500 2X4, should be here in a few weeks. I will have to install an electronic brake controller. On another board, someone said that the trucks are already wired for this. Any comments, or thoughts? Thanks, Bob

Bob -



Did you order the towing package?



If so, you'll be in great shape.



If not, you may have other issues to deal with: use the "Search" button and look for "wiring harness" in this forum.

 

[BobWeber]

Yes, I ordered the tow package. What does this pigtail look like? The controller I have is three years old. Will it work or should I get a new one? Bob

 

[plongson]

All the trailer stuff comes in a bag. There is an adapter to go from the round connector to a flat five pin (like for a boat trailer) and the pig tail to connect under the dash. It is just a connector to fit the underdash plug and six inches of wire to connect to your controller. Your three year old controller should work fine.

 

[kbarlow]

Bob,



On the '03 the factory tow package comes installed with cable to the hitch, 7 pin connector in the bumper, 4 pin connector under the bumper and a plug under the dash behind the clutch for the brake controller. The brake controller pigtail will be in your glove box in a bag. the pigtail is approx. 18" long with 4 wires colour coded and I. D. tagged for the hookup. It hooks up quick & easy.



Cheers Ken

 

[BHolm]

I hooked up my Tekonsa (sp?) Sentienal yesterday. This is the same controller I use in my other trucks, so it has been around for a while. It was a breeze to hook up. The factory harness is well labled. One note on the controller was that on a Dodge install to run a heavier power line as 15 amps isn't enough for three axles. Dodge was ahead of the game on the '03, the power wire is now good for 30 amps, no need to alter anything

 

[CROW]

Tekonsha sells a Dodge specific plug that is a straight plug-in for the Prodigy (Part No. 3020). Cost about ten bucks. Saves having to cut and splice, very easy install.

 

[d90boy]

Originally posted by CROW

Tekonsha sells a Dodge specific plug that is a straight plug-in for the Prodigy (Part No. 3020). Cost about ten bucks. Saves having to cut and splice, very easy install.

I bought this as well for my Prodigy. I didn't care so much about saving time to splice wires but I wanted the cleanest most factory looking installation possible. The Tekonsha harness came wrapped in that black webbing like the factory harnesses, looked very sano.

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by kbarlow

Bob,



On the '03 the factory tow package comes installed with ... 4 pin connector under the bumper ...

I guess I need to go look again but I have the factory tow package and don't remember seeing a 4-pin connector anywhere under my bumper. It must be hidden well.

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by Parshal

..... It must be hidden well... ...

It came with info about the secret handshake!



Cheers Ken

 

[CKimball]

my 4 pin was tucked behind and above the rear bumper... . go with the prodigy or jordan... I have the prodigy and like Crow said... the tekonsha harnass plugs right in next to the fuse block no cuttin and splicin means no shorts!!!!... prodigy is awesome I pull a large and HEAVY fifth wheel with my Jeep inside and it stops AWESOME... better safe than sorry.

Cameron

 

[Blakers]

I took the advice of many folks on here and bought a Jordan controller last fall. Works absolutely great! Works in direct proportion to your brake pedal pressure - just like an airbrake system on an 18 wheeler - none of that inertia junk!