Electric Brake Controller Recommendation for Semi Truck for RV Trailer

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Question:

Hi I am buying a 2018 volvo 780 semi truck and I wanted to be able to install a brake controller to operate my electric brakes on my holiday trailer do you folks offer such a product? I have no idea exactly how the brakes on new trucks are activated weather its by a computer or still switches and wires? My guess would be thru a computer sum how? Hope you folks can help me out?

asked by: Don C

0

Expert Reply:

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes. This will be the last brake controller you buy. It can easily be transferred to future vehicles as well.

All this needs is access to a stoplight circuit that's 12 volts on your semi and it can be wired up to your vehicle and operate the brakes of a RV type trailer.

For a wiring connector you would need to start with a 4-way like # C59496.

From there you would need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake controller. For that you will want the Brake Controller Install Kit and 7-Way Adapter part # ETBC7. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Nathan U.

4/22/2024

Hi Jameson! I am wanting to put an electric brake controller on my 2019 Volvo VNR Semi that has airbrakes. I am wanting to go to a bumper pull trailer with electric brakes. What would you suggest and how would you go about doing that. Thanks Nate

Reply

Jameson C.

4/22/2024

@NathanU First thing you want to do is find out what the voltage of your semi truck has. If it's 12 volt then you can use a brake controller like the part # 90885 which would wire to your vehicle just like any vehicle.

Reply

Answer 1

You certainly can! Installing a brake controller is fairly easy if you are familiar with running wiring. To install a brake controller like the popular Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195 you will need to run the wires on the pigtail to the following…

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Answer 2

Either way is correct. It depends on if you want to keep the semi-style 7-Way (if you need to tow that type of trailer) or if you will never be towing a semi-trailer. If you need to keep the 7-Way semi active on the truck, then you would need to make…

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Answer 3

There are a number of factors involved when converting a semi 7-way to an RV 7-way. Semis generally use a 7-pin round pin socket, similar to #PK11720. And RV style 7-way uses blades, like #PK12706. We do not offer any pre-made adapters to make this…

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Answer 4

To connect an electric brake controller to your 2010 Freightliner Cascadia, I recommend you start with a proportional brake controller like the Prodigy P3 #90195. This when connected correctly will give your trailer brakes the same pressure at the…

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Answer 5

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 6

In order to haul your gooseneck trailer with a fleet of semi-tractors you will need to make your own adapter harness which will then make for a plug and play connection but they don't make anything pre-assembled for this out of the box to my…

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Answer 7

The king pin dimensions can be the same between fifth wheel trailers and large commercial trailers. Both types of trailers often use a standard 2 inch king pin although semis sometimes have a 3-1/2 inch. As long as your truck fits a 2 inch king pin…

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Answer 8

When wiring a trailer connector, it is best to wire by function, as wire colors can vary. We have an excellent wiring diagram on our website, I will provide you a link so you can look at it. If you are looking at the inside of the trailer connector…

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Answer 9

Brophy hitch extender and reducer #HR26 is indeed rated for use with weight distribution. When used with weight distribution this reducer is rated for 10,000 pounds gross trailer weight and 1,000 pounds tongue weight. However, the use of this…

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Answer 10

There is a difference between a 7-way round and and 7-way rv blade connector. If you take a look at the accompanying photo, which is from our linked article on trailer wiring you can see that the connector on the left has blade-style pins while the…

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Answer 11

You can use the Pollack #PK11700 to install on your gooseneck trailer and create a 7 way plug capable of fitting on the 7 pole round plug that is on a semi tractor trailer truck. For the wiring you can use the Deka Jacketed 7 Wire #DW04914-1 which is…

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Answer 12

The shank of the Buyers Products Adjustable Tri-Ball Hitch #3371802225 and the Replacement Shank for Curt Adjustable Ball Mount #C45059 use the same 5/8" diameter holes and have the same 1-1/4" inch hole spacing so you can use the Curt…

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Electric Brake Controller Recommendation for Semi Truck for RV Trailer

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