How To Tow a Trailer with Brakes Using a 1999 Coachmen Sportscoach

Question:

Hi I have a 1999 coachman sportscoach with the freightliner xc chassis. it has a tow hitch and a four prong plug at the hitch. I want to be able to pull a small two horse trailer that has electric brakes- 7 way plug Which products to I need to convert this 4 prong plug and use the trailer brakes? Thanks

asked by: Brad L

Expert Reply:

In order to tow a trailer with brakes using your 1999 Coachmen Sportscoach on a Freightliner XC Chassis you will first need to convert the 4-way you have into a 7-way using the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller part # ETBC7 along with the extra wire with part # 10-2-1. These two parts will give you all that you need to correctly install the 7-way along with a brake controller of your choice.

For a brake controller I recommend using the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller part # RED44FR. The Tow-Pro Elite is very similar in design to a factory trailer brake controller. There is a control box that gets installed under the dash, out of sight and then a control knob that gets mounted on your dash wherever you prefer. This will provide a very clean look and will allow you to mount it in many different locations whereas a standard brake controller will need to be in a certain position/angle. The other nice feature of this brake controller is that you can switch between proportional and a user-controlled mode which gives you more control of the trailer's brakes. I am not aware of any other brake controller that can do this.

The above parts will give you everything that you need to tow a trailer with brakes.

expert reply by: Conner L