Trailer Wiring Harness and Brake Controller Recommendation for 2012 Ford F-150 XL Truck
Question:
2012 f150 XL truck I have a 4 pin flat connector on the truck. I need a 7 way plug and play. I also need a brake controller, plug and play if possible. I do not have the tow package on the truck. can you help?
asked by: David T
Expert Reply:
The wiring harness I recommend for your 2012 Ford F-150 XL truck is the Hopkins 4-Pole Adapter # 37185. This item will adapt the 4 pole wiring on your truck to a 7 pole round plug and a 4 pole flat.
If you follow the wiring harness for your factory 4 pole, you can locate where the 4 pole plugs into another harness. In this second harness, you can strip back some of the wire loom and there you should see a blue and black (or orange) wire. You will be able to tap the blue and black wire from the # 37185 into these wires.
If you are unable to find these wires, you can use a length of Deka Jacketed Brake Wire # 10-2-1 to run from the Hopkins harness. You will install a 40-amp breaker inline with the black wire and attach it to the positive battery terminal and attach the other end of the black wire to the black wire on the # 37185. Then attach the white wire in duplex cable to the blue wire from the # 37185 and connect the other end directly to the blue wire exiting from the brake controller.
If you would prefer a more factory appearance, you can use the Hopkins Pollak Connector # HM40975-11998. To wire this item, you will cut off the factory 4 pole and connect the red wire from the the Pollak to the yellow wire from the 4 pole. Then connect the white wire from the 4 Pole to the white wire from the Pollak and connect the blue wire from the Pollak to the blue wire in the wire loom or run it as mentioned above.
You will then need to connect the green wire in the Pollak to the green wire from the 4 pole, connect the black wire from the Pollak to the black wire in the harness or again, run it as mentioned above. Connect the brown wire from the Pollak to the brown wire from the 4 pole and finally, connect the yellow from the Pollak to the reverse light circuit of your truck if that is needed.
I have provided a link to a video showing the installation of this connector on a 2011 Ford F-150. While it is not the same model year as your truck, the installation technique is the same.
The brake controller I recommend is the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller # 90885 and the # 22292 wiring harness. It is a proportional brake controller, and the wiring adapter allows easier connection and disconnection of this item from your vehicle. I have provided a link to a video showing the installation of this item in your truck.
I also included a link to our FAQ page on brake controller installation on a full-sized Ford trucks.
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot
- Wiring
- Wire
- Jacketed Wire
- 2 Wire
- 10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Multi-Function Adapter
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
7-Pole and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Sockets w/ Mounting Bracket and Wiring - Vehicle End
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers
- Q&A: Brake Controller Wiring Adapter Location on 2017 Ford F-150
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller - Dash Knob - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional
- Search Results: brake controller
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Q&A: Best Way to Prevent Sagging Suspension When Towing a Trailer
- Search Results: 90885
- Video: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller Review
- Video: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller Review RED24FR
- Search Results: 90160
- Article: Towing a Trailer? Let's Talk About Brake Controllers
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Q&A: My Vehicle has a 4-Pin Trailer Plug, but Trailer has 7-Pin Trailer Plug
- Shop: Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug Mount w/ Bluetooth App - 1 to 2 Axle - Proportional
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: Air Bag Kit Recommendation for 5th Wheel Towing with a 2018 Ford F-150
- Search Results: 3035~p
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch