How to Use the Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller on a 2018 Nissan NV 2500

Question:

Im using the T-one vehicle wiring harness, which will give me a 4 way connector. I also bought the Hopkins 4 flat to 7 blade conversion harness. This gives me a 7 way connector to use with the Curt Echo This vehicle does not have a tow package. How do I find the blue electric trailer brake wire on this vehicle? How many amps does it have to carry? Would just the brake light wire work? Does this controller even need the trailer brake wire blue, or does it key off of the red 12 volt wire in the connector? Thanks for your help!

asked by: Brayton

Expert Reply:

The brake output (usually blue) wire is not pre ran on all 2018 Nissan NV 2500's. If yours is pre-ran then there will be a brake controller plug which is located under the lower portion of the instrument panel behind the parking brake. If you have the brake controller plug then the brake output wire should be taped to other wires up near the spare tire at the rear but as we have not had the chance to look under a 2018 Nissan NV 2500, I don't have an exact location for you.

With that being said, the Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller part # C51180 only requires a 12 volt power wire (usually back) to be present on the vehicle's 7-way, not a brake output wire. If you have the brake controller plug then the 12 volt power wire should be ran to the rear of the vehicle with the brake output wire. If not then you will need to run the black 12 volt power wire yourself. In order to do this you will need both part # 10-1-1 (per foot) and part # 9510. It will need to be ran from the back of the 7-way all the way up to the positive battery terminal.

The amount of amperage on the brake output wire will vary depending on the braking aggression but can be as high as 30 amps for larger trailers. You can't use the brake light circuit even if the brake output wire was needed.

expert reply by: Conner L