Recommended Wire Gauge for Wiring Electric Brakes on Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a 16-foot, dual axle, flat bed trailer with electric trailer brakes on one axle both wheels. I am totally rewiring the trailer to include lights and brakes. What gauge wire would you recommend for running from trailer connector to brakes? I am also replacing the trailer connector with you part # WG54006-043.

asked by: Charles F

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your flat bed trailer, I recommend using 12 gauge wire like # 12-1-1 at the minimum, but preferably 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1. Both of these wires are sold by the foot, so you can order the exact length you are needing. If you were to use a thinner gauge wire than this, the 12V power needed to activate the electric brakes may be enough to overload the wires and cause them to overheat.

I have attached an article on adding electric trailer brakes to a trailer that you might also find helpful. Towards the bottom of the article there is a section that focuses on wiring the trailer.

expert reply by: Chris R

1

Answer 1

I recommend using at minimum a 12 gauge wire like #12-1-1, but preferably 10 gauge wire like #10-1-1. When you try to run 12v power for electric brakes through a thinner 14 gauge wire to power something like your brakes it overloads the wire and…

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Answer 2

Yes, you would look at the trailer from the rear to determine right hand or left hand. The terms right hand and left hand come from right turn and left turn. The right hand brake is on the right side as if you were making a right turn. The Kodiak…

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Answer 3

When determining the right and left side when adding brakes it is determined if you are standing behind the trailer looking towards the tow vehicle. The left side is the drivers side and the right side is the passengers side.

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Answer 4

When the Ultra Fab Jack part #UF38-944037 is fully retracted the overall height from top to bottom is 27-1/2 inches. I attached a picture that has several other dimensions as well. If this jack was positioned upside down it would still function. I am…

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Answer 5

The reason that 10 Gauge #10-1-1 or 12 Gauge #12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part #AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries…

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Answer 6

When fully retracted the Ultra Fab Jack part #UF38-944037 that you referenced has a distance of 9-1/4 inches from the mounting bracket down to the bottom of the foot. Fully extended this measurement would be 27-1/4 inches. The foot of the jack is…

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Answer 7

It sounds like that there is something causing a issue with the power coming in from your brake controller (blue wire). To start you will want to verify that you are getting constant 12 volt power using a Multimeter #PT89ZR, to your black wire and…

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Answer 8

Self-adjusting brakes #AKEBRK-7-SA do not require that you travel in reverse for them to adjust. They can adjust themselves going forward or backward. Keep in mind that even self-adjusting brakes require 1 initial adjustment. You could just install…

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Answer 9

Generally, the center pin on a standard 7-way is used for reverse lights on the trailer. However, not all trailers have reverse lights and essentially you can wire the extra pin anyway you'd like. Normally, the pin in the 1 O'clock position…

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Answer 10

Instead of the #ETBC7 you'd want the part #ETBC7L since you only need to make one connection on the included 7-way adapter. You'd need to run the wire up to the positive battery post through the circuit breaker that is included. The Echo does…

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Answer 11

To get both of the 2021 Subaru Outbacks pulling the Safari Condo F1743, you would need to purchase two of the #ETBC7 kits. They would piggy back off of the existing 4 pin connections already on the vehicles, so you are already partially there. I did…

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Answer 12

It's actually pretty common for factory tow package wiring to not have the 12 volt circuit complete on the 7-way. What you'll need to do is activate the circuit yourself or have the dealer do it. What will need to happen is you'll need to…

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Recommended Wire Gauge for Wiring Electric Brakes on Trailer

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