Recommended Weight Distribution and Brake Controller, Installing 7-Way on 2011 Nissan Frontier  

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Expert Reply:

I can certainly help you by recommending a weight distribution system with sway control and a brake controller for your 2011 Nissan Frontier.

If your trailer's loaded and ready to tow tongue weight is around 600 pounds, I recommend the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution with 2-Point Sway Control, Trunnion, 8,000 Pounds GTW # FA92-00-0800 because it will work well to distribute your trailer's tongue weight and uses steel-on-steel friction to correct trailer sway. Additionally, this system has a simpler installation on the trailer and has fewer pieces to keep track of than similar systems. This system does allow backing up, however I do recommend removing the arms before making a sharp turn while backing to protect your trailer and the system.

The trunnion bars of the # FA92-00-0800 system will help maintain better ground clearance than more traditional round bar systems, like # FA94-00-0800. The included shank with this system will fit 2 inch trailer hitch receivers. To complete the set-up, you will also need a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch shank, like # 63840 for a 2-5/16 inch diameter ball or # A-90 for a ball with a 2 inch hitch ball. A review video of this system is linked for you.

The brake controller I recommend for you is the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. This brake controller is a top of the line controller with all the bells and whistles. Some of the great features of this controller are proportional braking, customizable LCD display, storable settings, 3 boost levels, battery protection, and continuous diagnostics. To install this controller, you can us the Custom Brake Controller Harness # 3050-P that will allow you to plug the P3 into a port located under the dash and left of the steering column. This port will be a 6-pin connector that is taped to another wiring harness near the emergency brake pedal. An installation video of this controller is attached for you on a similar vehicle to yours.

To provide a 7-Way vehicle-side wiring connector at the back of your Frontier, you can use the Replacement Wiring Harness # 118267. This is just the wiring harness and does not include the relay harness. If you need the relay harness in addition to the 7-Way, you would want part # 118266. These relays are needed to power circuits for the 4-Way or 7-Way harnesse. Installation of the 7-Way harness will depend on your existing wiring set-up.

If your existing 4-Way flat wiring is not a factory wiring harness, the 7-Way wiring harness will simply plug into the existing gray and black connectors under your Frontier. As long as the relays are already installed, after this you will be good to go.

If your existing 4-Way flat is a factory wiring harness, then it will take a couple of hardwire connections to properly install the 7-Way harness. The existing plugs on the vehicle will not match with those on the harness if your 4-Way is from the factory.

The small black connector on the 7-Way will plug into the corresponding small black plug under your Frontier. Then you will want to cut off the gray connector on the 7-Way harness and your existing 4-Way connector. The wires that are now exposed will need to be connected with butt connectors, # DW05744-5.

On the # 118267 harness, the white wire is ground, the brown is taillight, the yellow is left stop and turn, the green is right stop and turn, and the red is for the reverse lights. These wires, except the red wire for reverse, will need to be connected to the corresponding functions of the wires from the 4-Way connector. It is not necessary to connect the red wire to the reverse light circuit unless you want that wiring circuit for your trailer. If it is not needed, you can wrap it up and tuck it out of the way.

With the 7-Way and brake controller installed, you will be ready to set up your weight distribution system and hit the road.

expert reply by: Victoria B

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