Brake Controller Wiring on Motorhome
Question:
Trailer brake controller on a 40’ diesel pusher coach. Instructions for the controller specifies 12 ga wire for the brake magnets. I am running wire over 40’ of distance. Do you think 10ga or 8 ga would be better. Also there are brakes on both trailer axles of my car hauler. On the last coach that I outfitted I used a 50 foot 10 gauge 3 wire extension cord and twisted the two the black and white together and used the ground as a ground between the coach and trailer. It is difficult to run the cord through the bus compartments, so I merely zip tied it to the underside of the coach. The extension cord has its own insulation, so what do you think?
asked by: Earl T
Expert Reply:
To answer your first question about installing the Prodigy P3 # 90195 I recommend going with 10 gauge wire # 10-1-1 over that distance.
As for your other question, you can zip tie your wires to the underside of the coach but you are going to want to use Heat Shrink Butt Connectors # DW05745-10 at your connection points to seal your ground and hot lead wires and protect them from dirt, water and the like; also be sure you have a proper ground on both your coach and trailer.
![Kyle S](https://images.etrailer.com/static/images/catg/people/1237_tn.jpg)
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 10
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Butt Connectors
- 12-10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Article: Towing a Trailer? Let's Talk About Brake Controllers
- Q&A: Trailer Suspension Hanger Kit for Slipper Springs and 38 inch Wheelbase
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Q&A: Troubleshooting A Clunking Noise Between A Fifth Wheel Hitch And Base Rails While Towing
- Q&A: Why Is 5th Wheel Trailer Clunking When Starting/Stopping with B&W Companion and MORryde Pin Box
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and the P3 Brake Controllers
- Article: Installing an Electric Brake Controller on 2007-2013 GM Full-Size Truck or 2007-Present GM SUV
- Q&A: How Do I Measure the Drop Distance on a Trailer Drop Axle?
- Q&A: 10k Dexter Replacement Hub for a 8-415
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches