Installing a 7-Way Trailer Connector and Brake Controller on a 2000 Ford E-350 Class C Motor Home

Question:

I have a 2000 e-350 ford on a class-c motor home. Will this adapter work on this . It already has a flat plug. I need to know what I need to wire a brake control with this. I have a used Kelsey brake control and im wondering if this will work. Thanks for any help.

asked by: Simon S

Expert Reply:

You can use the 4 Pole to 7 Pole Adapter, # 30717, to install a 7-way trailer connector on your 2000 E-350 motor home. Another 4 Pole to 7 Pole adapter that I would recommend is part # 37185. This is essentially the same part as the adapter you referenced, but it provides a 7-way round socket as well as a 4-flat connector. This will allow you to tow different trailers without having to use an additional adapter.

Depending on how your motor home is wired, there may be a few different installation routes you can take to install the 7-way adapter and a brake controller on your motor home.

If your motor home came with a factory installed 4-flat trailer connector, then it may have the factory tow package wiring already ran along the vehicle frame. It may also have a connector under the dash for a plug-in adapter for a brake controller. Check out the video that I attached of a brake controller installation on a 2004 E-450 motor home with a factory 4-way connector.

If your 4-flat trailer connector was not factory installed, or you do not have the tow package wiring already ran, then I recommend using the Brake Controller Installation Kit, # ETBC7. This kit includes the 4 pole to 7 pole adapter as well as the additional wires and hardware that you will need to complete the installation. I have attached an installation video of this kit on a 2002 Ford Van for you to check out as well. The van in the video is not a motor home, but this kit is not vehicle specific, so the installation process will work on your motor home.

As long as your Kelsey brake controller is in good working condition, there is no reason why you could not use the brake controller with your motor home. Your brake controller should have 4 wires, black for 12 volt power, blue for brake output to the 7-way, white for ground and red which connects to the stop light switch.

If your motor home has the factory tow package wiring and brake control port present, then you can use the Ford Wiring Adapter, # 3035-P, cut off the flat 4-pin black connector, and splice the wires from the brake controller to the adapter color for color.

If you are not using the factory wiring, then you will connect the wires as shown in the installation video. Before connecting the red wire to the stop light switch on the vehicle, I strongly recommend using the circuit tester to test for the correct wire from the stop light switch. You will want to connect the red wire to the wire that only has power when you press the brake pedal.