Is A Trailer Brake Controller Required To Control Electric Trailer Brakes On A Trailer?

Question

Question:

Just a quick question, I am wanting to put the electric brakes on my 6x8 Jumping Jack utility/camper. Do I need to install a trailer brake controller in my vehicle as well or do I just run the brake wires to my 7 prong plug?

asked by: Richard D

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Expert Reply:

You will need to install a trailer brake controller in your tow vehicle to use electric brakes in your 6'x8' Jumping Jack trailer.

I recommend taking a look at the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 as it is a top of the line trailer brake controller that has great features like an easy to read LCD screen, and built in diagnostics that are easy to read and understand. There may be a plug in wiring harness available for your vehicle, so if you can tell me the Year/Make/Model of your tow vehicle I would be happy to recommend everything you will need to get a trailer brake controller installed.

If you have not already found the correct components needed to add electric trailer brakes to your trailer, I would be happy to recommend them if you can provide the inner and outer bearing your current hubs use, and if the brake mounting flange is already installed on your axle.

The easiest way to determine the inner and outer bearing is by removing one of the hubs and looking for the bearing numbers stamped in the face of each bearing as shown in the included picture of the # L44649.

If your bearings are worn to the point that you cannot read the bearing numbers you will need to use digital calipers like # PTW80157 to precisely measure your spindle according to the included diagram.

Lastly to determine if your axle has the brake mounting flange already installed you should see a 4 or 5 bolt flange right behind your idler hub.

If you can provide this information I would be happy to recommend the components needed to add electric trailer brakes to your trailer.

I included a video of the # 90195 and a link to a helpful article that goes over everything needed to add electric trailer brakes to a trailer for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

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Bearing Number Stamped In Face Of Bearing
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Where To Measure Spindle To Determine Inner and Outer Bearing
(click to enlarge)

Brake Mounting Flance Located Behind Idler Hub
(click to enlarge)

Answer 1

Your Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195 on your 2004 Toyota Tacoma is showing no trailer connected because you only have the 5-Way flat connector on your trailer. The 5-Way carries the basic trailer light functions and that 5th pin is typically for the…

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Answer 2

You may need a 4-way Modulite Vehicle Wiring Harness Kit with 4 Pole Trailer Connector #118379 to work with your Tacoma. This connector plugs directly into existing wiring no cutting, splicing or tapping required. If your truck already has a 4-way…

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Answer 3

Since your 2016 Dodge 2500 has a 7-way, I recommend just adding a 7-way trailer wire connector to your trailer like #H20046. This will give you a simple connection between your vehicle and trailer without converters. You can simply tape up the wires…

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Answer 4

The best long-term wiring solution for connecting your vehicle that has a 7-way and your trailer that has a 5-pole flat is to install a 7-way male plug on the trailer wiring. This lets you avoid adapters like #787196 which can become unreliable over…

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Answer 5

In regards to the 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector part #H20043, the yellow wire is for the reverse light circuit yes. This should then align with the pin responsible for the reverse light circuit on your vehicle. The terminology used for…

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Answer 6

In order to install a 7-way trailer connector like the 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector part #H20043 on a trailer with five wires, we need to know what those wires do. I can almost guarantee what four of them are; left stop/turn, right stop/turn,…

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Answer 7

You can install a 7-way trailer plug on the trailer and only wire the 5 circuits you need based on our FAQ page on wiring, which I have provided a link to. If you go this route, you will need to trace each circuit on the trailer to determine its…

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Answer 8

I've linked a help article that will give you the common color coding but on your trailer I wouldn't go by it. Even if they are correct you just never know so I suggest testing it. To test it cut off the 5-way connector that's on there…

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Answer 9

If you have a vehicle specific wiring harness for a brake controller then that would indicate that you have a factory tow package and subsequently would already have a 7-way at the back of your vehicle. The universal 7-way connector #ETBC7 is meant…

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Answer 10

Thank you for the photo; from that and your description it sounds like all you need is a replacement 5-Flat for your trailer and I recommend the 5-Flat Trailer End 48" Harness #20017. What you can do is simply cut off the 5-flat that is on your…

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Answer 11

Since you have a 5-Pole flat connector on your truck you should not have to make any modifications to plug the 4-Pole connector on the smaller trailer into the 5 pole connector on the truck. Basically a 5-Pole is set up exactly like a 4-Pole…

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Answer 12

To connect back up lights you need to have a 7-way trailer connector on both your trailer and tow vehicle. On a 7-way the reverse lights are powered by the center pin. To connect reverse lights to the trailer's 7-way you can use 16 gauge wire…

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