Recommended Brake Controller for Towing Travel Trailer with 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Question:

I want to tow a travel trailer with my jeep wrangler jk, i dont have any towing harness, and the easiest to install is the 4 pin... but my trailer has e-brakes, do i need the 7 pin harness wired? How does this device gets the signal from the towing vehicle to apply the trailer brakes?

asked by: Pablo

Expert Reply:

If the trailer has electrical brakes, you'll need a brake controller to actuate them as well as a 7-way trailer connector.

You'd first need to install a 4 pole connector, part # 118416. Once that's in, you'd use a brake controller installation kit which would include an adapter to convert that 4 pin connector to a 7-way. The simplest to install and least obtrusive controller would be the Curt Echo, part # C51180. The Echo is, Hands Down our most popular brake controller right now.

I've linked you to a video showing exactly how the Echo works. Instead of a box that'x mounted to the underside of the dash (that you'll continually bang your knee on) the Echo uses your Android or iOS based smart phone as the control unit. To install the controller, you'll need the # ETBC7L installation kit. I've also linked to a video showing the controller being installed on a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited.

expert reply by: Mike L