Trailer Brakes: Anything new?

[Belchos]

My '92 is finally getting to the same place in its life as I am in mine - it needs help. So, I am going to set up my '04 so I can pull my friend's large trailer to go pick up an excavator. I haven't done that so far because my '92 has taken care of business for the last 16 years. I know this is a common question, and I checked FAQs, but I haven't paid much attention to this for a long time.

QUESTION: Is there anything new re in-cab hardware, different ways to wire, etc. that would be good for me to know at this point?

 

[AH64ID]

The 04 should be plug and play... 4 pin under the dash... you can get one from the dealership or aftermarket. .

 

[TCDiesel]

Yes,If the truck does NOT have the factory Cab connection for brake Operator (Plugin/ Harness) DO NOT CONNECT TO FACTORY SERVICE AND RUNNING LIGHTS, unless you know exactly what you are doing.

 

[RVTRKN]

The 04 should have come with a trailer brake pig tail, to plug in under the dash for your brake controller. The harness side you will connect to is by the driver side under the dash. If you can't find the pig tail, your dealer should have one in stock for about $40 or make sure you ask the vender for the proper controller harness for plug and go ability . I just installed a Brake Smart controller in my 07 and they no longer come with the plug for the Dodges, and you must use their pig tail and splice to Dodges pig tail.



Steve...

 

[Belchos]

Trailer Brakes: Anything new?

OK. Due to a horse wreck, I am on crutches. As soon as I finish icing I am going to go down to the barn and take a look under the dash. Thanks. I will return. Hobble, hobble, ... . .

 

[Belchos]

Jola!

OK. Next to the hood latch pull handle there is a plug, but with about six holes in one row and same in another row. I am assuming that is the receptacle. So, from what was said above, I can obtain a controller over the counter to plug right into that receptacle - is that right?

 

[Belchos]

While I am sitting here waiting for a final response before I go looking for a controller, I wanted to add that I found something to add to my list of things-that-are-really-hard-to-do-with-a-wrecked-foot: looking under the dash of your pickup. Criminey? My back will probably take longer to recover than my foot!

 

[RVTRKN]

It's a blue plug with 4 terminals I believe, I just looked at it but I can not see the exact # of pins. The controler you purchase should sell seperatly the adapting harness. Do you still have the pig-tail that came with your tow package?



Steve...

 

[Belchos]

Thanks, Steve. Went back down and finally found the plug way back behind the spring brake pedal. Truthfully, I don't remember getting a pig tail with the truck, and have not run across anything like it. Unless it is tied up under there somewhere, I don't have it. I am contacting the dealer for more info.

As you are probably guessing, I don't fool around much with these trucks - they are tools here, and until now I haven't had the time to learn more about them. I want to thank those who offered help even though they must have been muttering things like dumb ***** and so forth.

 

[jelag]

If your truck has a factory trailer tow package you would have gotten the pig tail..... those trucks shipped w/o the package did not get it... . of course if the dealer added this option than the pig tail is usually thrown in.....

I personally like a brake controller that measures pressure in the brake system (brake smart or one like it) and will change the application pressure of your trailer brakes accordingly... we have a large trailer (2 - 12K axles) that has power disc brakes... a true proportional controller makes the towing and stopping of large trailers very nice... .

Also I've found that at times the 12 V power lead in the factory wiring harness is rated at 20 or 30 amps... don't remember which but have found low voltage at the plug more times than I can remember so we run a true 10 gauge wire and 30 amp fuse from the batteries to keep our trailer stuff charged...

Everyone seems to have a different use... . but we use them rougher than most and have made changes to make our job easier and safer... and I try to keep them for 500K miles...

Hope this helps...

 

[Belchos]

Thanks

Helps greatly. The third dealer I contacted had a pig tail. The parts guy has it on his desk waiting for me to get down there.

I had no idea about the factory plug and play. It's great.

This is a first time for me hauling heavy equipment over the highway. I usually have 10 or 12 thousand pounds of cows in a gooseneck in the outback with brakes that never work, but this is scarier. Any tips on driving, like "driving farther down the road," starting stopping earlier, etc. ? How about hills? Lowest gear, etc. ? I know now about driving in the right lane, etc. . I got a ticket in San Diego, coming out of Mexico with my boat, for driving in the diamond lane! Luckily, he didn't get a chance to clock me.

 

[RVTRKN]

You may not need the Dodge pig-tail if you buy a controller that will adapt with the right harness. The Brakesmart I just installed did not have a plug and play and I had to get the Dodge pig-tail to splice to the Brakesmart pig-tail. So why don't you pick the controller you want and see if all you have to do is plug it in under your dash, before you purchase the Dodge pig-tail and save yourself a few bucks.



Steve...

 

[MMeier]

I went with Activator III's in both my rigs, they use thier own wiring harness that most places will sell with the unit, that plugs in under the dash. Where are you located Belchos?