Brake Controller Recommendations For a 1998 Honda Accord and a 1990 Ford F-250 Diesel Truck

Question:

Which Hopkins brake controler and wiring should be used for above Honda? The specs. showed for newer model Hondas. Would it be possible to be able to also move the controler between an 83 Chevette and a 90 Ford F-250 Diesel pickup ? Also, how does the power get from the controler back to the trailer brakes? Both cars have a 4 pin connector for trailer lights. So, is Hopkins the way to go or would you suggest another brand. Please specify the way to go and how to wire in each system, and what extra mounting brackets to use. Awaiting your early reply!

asked by: Richard S

Expert Reply:

Brake controllers are not vehicle specific so you can use any brake controller on any vehicle as long as the vehicle will have a 7-Way connector on the rear of the vehicle and that the vehicle is designed for towing. The 7-Way connector is needed to supply the power from the brake controller to the trailer brakes.

The brake controller I would recommend for your 1998 Honda Accord is the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, part # 90885. The Prodigy 2 brake controller is our best selling model. It can be mounted in a 360 degree vertical range and will level itself automatically. It is a proportional brake controller which means that the brakes are applied to the trailer at the same time and same strength as the brakes on your vehicle.

To install the Prodigy P2 brake controller on your Honda you will need to hardwire it with the Brake Controller 7 And 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. This kit will plug into your existing 4-Flat connector on the vehicle and provides a 7-Way and 4-Way at the rear of the vehicle along with the wiring and circuit breakers needed to install a brake controller. I am including a link on installing a brake controller from scratch with an ETBC7 kit, along with a video showing the installation of an ETBC7 kit.

As far as moving the brake controller between the 1983 Chevrolet Chevette and a 1990 Ford F-250 Diesel, I would not recommend using a brake controller on a 1983 Chevette. That vehicle is not designed for towing purposes.

The 1990 Ford F-250 truck can use the same Prodigy P2 brake controller from the Honda by buying an extra Draw-Tite Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness, part # 20127, and a Tekonsha Mounting Pocket, part # 7686. The mounting pocket can be installed in the Ford truck and the harness will be wired to the vehicle using another Brake Controller 7 And 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7, as mentioned above.

If your 1990 Ford F-250 needs a 4-Flat connector at the rear to install the # ETBC7 you can use the Tow Ready Wiring Harness, part # 118316. I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Tow Ready harness and a video link of a brake controller being installed in a 1990 Ford F-150. It will show the ETBC7 kit and the Tow Ready harness being installed.