Brake Controller for Towing a Trailmaster Trailer with a Harley Electra Glide Classic Motorcycle
Question:
Im getting a trailmaster sentry camper which will be towed with my Harley Electri Glide classic what brake contoller would you recomend? The trailer has dexter brakes on it. Thank you
asked by: Mike
Expert Reply:
I have spoken with small tent trailer manufacturers about which brake controllers are best for their trailers with brakes and found that they recommend using a a time delayed brake controller for their trailers. They said that many of their customers have excellent performance from the Activator electric trailer brake controller by Draw-Tite, # 5504.
The advantage of a time delayed brake controller on a motorcycle is that it can be positioned in any way, so you can easily find a mounting location that is out of the way but still allows access to the manual override lever. To wire the brake controller you will need a 20 amp circuit breaker, # 9506P, to install inline on the black power wire that goes to the motorcycle battery. The white wire should be attached to a known ground location and the red wire will need to be attached to a brake light signal that is hot only when the motorcycle brakes are activated. Finally, an appropriate length of blue 10 gauge wire, # 10-1-1, should be used to extend the blue wire from the brake controller to the trailer connector on the motorcycle.
You will most likely need a standard 6-Way round connector, like part # PK11604, but it will be wired a bit differently. The trailer most likely has separate brake and turn signal circuits, so you will need to use a circuit tester and determine the correct wiring configuration for the 6-Way vehicle side connector, # PK11609. You will have a ground wire, a left turn signal wire, a right turn signal wire, a brake light wire, a electric brake output wire, and a taillight wire, using all 6 pins in the 6-Way connector. Just make sure the motorcycle connector is wired the same as the trailer connector.
One thing we need to mention, is that Dexter Axle does not recommend using trailer brakes on trailers towed by motorcycles. This is because it can be very difficult to control the motorcycle and trailer if there is the slightest imbalance in the trailer braking setup. This condition can be magnified on a Torflex axle with a light motorcycle trailer because the magnets angled position can cause spontaneous activation when jounced sufficiently.
Products Referenced in This Question
In-Line Circuit Breaker - 20 Amp - Perpendicular Mount Bracket
- Accessories and Parts
- Wiring
- Circuit Breaker
- 20 Amp
- Pollak
more information >
Pollak 6-Pole, Round Pin, Trailer Wiring Connector - Trailer End
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- Plug Only
- 6 Round
- Pollak
more information >
Pollak 6-Pole, Round Pin, Trailer Wiring Socket - Vehicle End
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Vehicle End Connector
- Plug Only
- 6 Round
- Pollak
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Predator DX2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Manual Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 2 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 125 Degrees
- Dexter
more information >
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