Installing Brake Controller On 2000 Volvo Semi For Horse Trailer With Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes

Question:

I have a customer with a 4 horse living quarters trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes. He is towing it with a early 2000 model Volvo semi tractor. He wants brake controler in the truck. Is the Tekonsha Prodigy RF remote system a good fit for this application? I was thinking of mounting it to the truck. Hench if he trades or pulls a different trailer he will have brakes. If not applicable. What do you recommend for a controler? I realize a standard controler will have to be hard wired in. Going to cost him a lot in labor to hard wire one in.

asked by: Wes

Helpful Expert Reply:

Unfortunately the Tekonsha RF, part # TK94FR is not compatible with electric over hydraulic brake systems.

The installation of a brake controller will be pretty involved but possible. First you will need a brake controller that will work with EOH brakes like part # 90195. When installing this on a typical vehicle you tie the brake wire into the cold side of the brake switch. Since the Volvo will have air brakes you need to find the wire that shows power only when the brake pedal is pressed.

You will need part # 119178 on the semi truck. This adapts separate lights and turn signals to a standard tail light wiring and gives you a 4-way connector on the truck. This will need to be installed in front of the trailer connector you will have on the truck.

You will then need part # ETBC7. This plugs into the 4-way connector and gives you a 7-way connector for the horse trailer. Additional wiring will need to be done for the # ETBC7. You will need additional wiring like part # 10-1-1 to connect the brake wire from the brake controller to the 7-way on the # ETBC7.

I have attached a diagram you can check out for wiring a brake controller and the # ETBC7. I have also attached a link to our product page for the butt connectors we offer.