Brake Controller Install and Recommendation for 1999 Motorhome on Ford Chassis  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

Is your motorhome on a Ford F450 truck Cab/Chassis or a E450 Van Cutaway Chassis?

If it's equipped with a 7-way trailer connector, it'll likely be prewired for a brake controller. On the truck cab/chassis, the brake controller connector which is gray in color would typically be located above the driver's right knee, under the dash. On the van chassis, it would usually be found to the left of the steering column. If the connector is present, it should be a plug and play installation.

For a controller, I really like the Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160 which is a proportional controller that's reasonably priced yet provides safe, reliable and predictable braking. If the connector is present under the dash, you'll need the # 3035-P plug and play harness which is compatible with both the truck and the van chassis..

If the plug isn't present, you'll need to hardwire the controller using the # ETBC7 brake controller install kit. To access the vehicle's lighting circuits, you can either remove the black plug from the 4-pole to 7-way adapter included with the install kit or use a 4 pole connector kit like # 18252. Either way, you'd wire directly into the taillight harnesses. Luckily, the wire color codes on the adapter or the # 18252 will match what's found in the vehicle taillight wiring harness.

I've linked to installation instructions plus a video showing how the # ETBC7 kit works, as well as to a demonstration video for the Tekonsha Primus brake controller mentioned above.

expert reply by: Mike L

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