Trailer Brake Controller Installation

[BNH4221]

Hey Y'all,



The bride and I are renting a 27' trailer for our annual vacation. That said, I need to install a trailer brake controller. The RV place wants $200 to do it and being the cheap yankee that I am, I can do it cheaper, right?



Question #1, Can I do it or is it a job best left to the professionals. ?



Question #2, Is there a pigtail for the controller under the dash of my beloved truck or is it a "wire it yourself" job? A plug in connector?



Unfortunately I don't have a service manual. I rely instead on the learned members of the forum for some advice. All the trailers I have ever towed were small enough not to need a controller so this is sort of new territory for me.



Thanks for all assistance. My truck thanks you too!



Steve

98 QC shortbed 4x4

"The Silver Bullet"

 

[Turbo Thom]

Check on this thread for "7 pin wire hookup". It was started by 956wheel. That should give you the total picture.



Preston

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by BNH4221

Hey Y'all,



The bride and I are renting a 27' trailer for our annual vacation. That said, I need to install a trailer brake controller. The RV place wants $200 to do it and being the cheap yankee that I am, I can do it cheaper, right?



Question #1, Can I do it or is it a job best left to the professionals. ?



Question #2, Is there a pigtail for the controller under the dash of my beloved truck or is it a "wire it yourself" job? A plug in connector?



Unfortunately I don't have a service manual. I rely instead on the learned members of the forum for some advice. All the trailers I have ever towed were small enough not to need a controller so this is sort of new territory for me.



Thanks for all assistance. My truck thanks you too!



Steve

98 QC shortbed 4x4

"The Silver Bullet"

one you can do it two if trailer tow package was orded its left side of driver . you can get pig tail connector from canping world for nine or ten dollars from bowling green ky or nearest kw to you trailer supply can make up a complete set for you seven pin connector brakers wire ect for under sixty dollars you supply the controler and labor. lol Ron in Louisville Ky (drive way)

 

[SlyBones]

I must be missing something here. does your truck have the trailer tow package. If so the truck is already properly wired with a 7pin plug. You should see the plug back by the hitch. Your trailer should come with a 7 pin plug and it should go right in. Its all done to a standard 7 pin wiring configuration, best I can tell. This part should have nothing to do.



The tow package comes with a connector under the dash, a heavy duty flasher, and a wiring pigtail. Install the flasher. Connect 4 wires off the controller to the pigtail and plug it in. Your done.



Read the instructions on the controller 2 or 3 times. I found the wires on the controller and wiring pigtail to be color coded. BUT THEY DID NOT GO BLUE TO BLUE AND RED TO RED. So read this carefully.

 

[Pat_in_Utah]

Do it yourself!

"IF" your truck has the trailer package (hitch and plug on rear end) do it yourself. When you buy your controller (Tekonsha makes good ones for decent $) ask for the pigtail adaptor for a dodge.



You'll have to connect the four wires from the controller to the four wires on the above pigtail adapter. I used butt connectors. (mandatory warning: the controller and pigtail wires are not color coded correctly - use the functions to connect wires to instead) Plug in the pigtail to the underdash-already-provided plug above steering column (blue plug). Mount the controller (either velcro or screw it to the dash - I choose to screw it to the left of the ashtray) and your done!



Your truck will be set for life! Maybe a 2 hour job for begginers. I could do it in 30 minutes or less now. It really is easy with the pigtail adaptors.



Any questions, let us know!



Pat

 

[BNH4221]

Hey again kids,



Thanks for all the assistance. I found the connector under the dash and have ordered a Tekonsha Voyager with the pigtail for the Dodge. Figure I can mount it along the bottom of the dash or get real crazy and try it in the ashtray space.

Once again the membership saves my butt!



Best wishes and a great big THANKS to all.....



Steve