Can a Brake Controller be Installed on a 2004 Winnebago 35U for Tow Dolly with Electric Brakes
Question:
Im looking for information on Brake Controllers and wiring designs that best suit my equipment. A list of your products to support this install and how it would tie in with my motorhomes electrical system would be most helpful.
asked by: Don W
Expert Reply:
If you know the chassis model on which your 2004 Winnebago was built that would help a lot. Also I would need to know if the Winnie has a trailer connector at the back or not and, if it does, the type of trailer connector it is (6-Way, 7-Way and so on).
For brake controllers there are 2 types: proportional and time delay.
Proportional controllers are preferred because they apply the trailer brakes, or in this case a tow dolly) in proportion to how much the RV is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces brake wear and tear on the RV and tow dolly. The only down side to a proportional controller is that they are limited to specific mounting ranges (they can't be tilted or turned to one side).
Time delay controllers do not have mounting limitations provided they are in easy reach of the driver. But the downside of a time delay controller is that it sends back a pre-determined amount of braking power over a pre-determined amount of time no matter what the braking situation is. This type of set up can be hard on the RV and dolly brakes and can also require frequent adjustment.
There are basically 2 ways in which to install a controller. Some vehicles are equipped with a factory plug or port to plug in a controller. Others have to be hardwired into the vehicle and trailer connector.
If you have a specific chassis (a Ford F-53 chassis) then there is a plug, though it is difficult to get to. It is located up under the dash behind the instrument cluster. This is only on the Ford F-53 chassis though.
The other way is to hardwire the controller in using an installation kit. The installation kit needed will depend on how the RV is equipped. At the very least you would need to wire just the brake controller to the RV (ground, power, brake switch connection, and output to trailer connector). And at most you would have to hardwire in the controller and 1, possibly 2 types of trailer connectors. Again it all depends on how the RV is equipped. I have included a link to our informational article on brake controllers for you to view.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
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