Parts Needed to Install Brake Controller On 1996 Ford F150 w/ 4-Pole Trailer Conenctor

Question:

Need to purchase all pieces to hook fifth wheel camper to 1996 F250. Assuming the four way flat I have is working and there is a port for the brake controller under the dash, does the following shopping cart have all the pieces I need? https://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=BASKandStoreCode=Eandsite=5

asked by: John M

Expert Reply:

I'm not able to access your shopping cart, but I am able to see the various products you checked out before you submitted your question, and I'd be happy to run through everything with you.

For a brake controller, the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885 would be an excellent choice. The P2 provides safe and predictable braking in a unit that's easy to set up and easy to use. You'll need the # 3035-P brake control wiring adapter which will allow you to plug the controller in under the dash.

At the rear of the vehicle, you'll need an adapter to convert the existing 4-pole to a 7-way. I'd recommend using the # 37185 adapter. The adapter would plug into the existing 4-pole, leaving 4 additional wires to be dealt with. The white wire would ground to the truck's chassis or frame. The purple wire is usually used for the reverse lamp circuit. If the trailer has a reverse lamp, the purple wire would tap into the reverse lamp circuit on your truck. Otherwise, you an simply bundle the wire up out of the way.

The blue and black wires would need to be extended, using a 4 foot length of 10-1-1 and 12-1-1 and some butt connectors, part # 05732-2, attach the blue wire to the blue wire and black to black. Trace the wiring harness that feeds the 4-pole over to the connector on the frame rail where the harness plugs in. On the other side of the connector from where the 4 pole plugs in, peel back the wire loom and look for a Red (or Orange) and a Blue wire. Cut these wires and strip the ends, using more butt connectors to attach the blue wire ran from the 7-way to the blue wire on the frame rail. Connect the black wire from the 7-way to the red or orange wire.

If I've missed anything you had in your cart, or have recommended something that you don't think you need, please let me know and I'd be happy to look it over again.