Installing a Functional 7-Way and Brake Controller on a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

Question:

2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 5.7L My truck came from the factory with a 4way connector installed and with a 7way plug on the bumper next to the license plate the 7way was not functional, or it only functioned in a 4way capacity. I purchased the P3 brake controller with the Dodge direct connect wiring however, it seems the 7way must be fully functional for the P3 to work? So I purchased a new 7way plug that has the 4way connection as well as 3 additional wires brake controller output wire, 12v power source wire, and ground wire. Where do I tie in the brake controller output wire that is hanging from the new 7way plug? Do I splice it into the Dodge direct connect wiring that came with the P3, or do I splice it into the factory truck wiring somewhere else? I have the Trailer Wiring Diagrams page from etrailer, but it doesnt fully answer my question for this newbie trailer puller!! I have to pull a 25ft RV in 2 weeks and my wife is all over my butt to get this done without burning it, or us up in the process.

asked by: Aaron L

Expert Reply:

The 7-Way sounds like it was added aftermarket and is missing the other 3 functions (12 volt power, brake output, reverse lights). For a brake controller to work with the plug in harness, the 7-Way needs to be factory installed and fully functional.

The brake output wire that comes from the controller and goes through your Dodge harness does not run all the way back to the 4-pole at the rear; it stops at the connector that is located under the driver's side wheel well. In order to finalize the installation you must splice into this wire and continue it back to the plug where it will connect to the blue wire on the new 7-Way you have.

This might not be the only connection you have to make to make the controller work. From what I found the2006 Rams that only had a 4-Way from the factory should not have a functional port for the brake controller wiring harness. If yours is functional then you should not need to do anything else. But if not you will need to hardwire the whole controller using a kit such as # 5506 plus a 40 amp circuit breaker for 12 volt power at the 7-Way, # PK54540, to get everything to work.

Please note that if the trailer does not require 12 volt power then you do not have to make this connection. I have included a couple of links that should help with the installation.

expert reply by: Michael H