Recommended 7-Way Connector and Brake Controller for a 1996 Dodge Ram w/out Factory Connectors

Question

Question:

96 dodge ram 1500 with NO factory wiring harness for trailer lights/brakes. What do I need to add a 7 pole connector AND brake controller. Your previous answers refer to a truck WITH a 4 prong factory wiring harness already installed. Im starting from scratch....what to I need?

asked by: Bill C

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

To install a 7-Way harness on your 1996 Dodge Ram without the factory connector, you will need two separate wiring harnesses because they don't make just one that'll do the job.

The first harness you'll need is the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
Item # C55329. This custom-fit T-connector plugs into your Dodge's wiring harness, which is located behind the rear bumper, on the driver's and passenger's sides. This will provide you with a 4-flat connector.

The second harness you will need is the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7. The kit includes a pre-wired 7- and 4-way trailer connector that mounts easily at the rear of your truck with an included bracket. This kit is designed for use on a vehicle with an existing 4-way flat trailer connector and plugs directly into it.

To add a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 item # 90195. This is a proportional brake controller that activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your truck's braking action. The brakes activate immediately, there is no pausing like with time-delayed brake controllers.

I have linked installation videos to all three of these parts below to help you get them set up.

expert reply by: Jerred H

1

Answer 1

The easiest way to determine the correct wire to connect the red stoplight switch wire from the brake controller to, is to use a circuit tester like item #PTW2993. Ground the alligator clip on the circuit tester and then probe the wires coming from…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The Chevy 5 bolt pattern can mean a couple different patterns. The part #84546UC3 is the very common trailer bolt pattern of 5 on 4-1/2 inch. The other common bolt pattern associated with Chevys is 5 on 5 inch like the part #AKHD-550-35-K which would…

view full answer...

Answer 3

I would be happy to help you. There are two big differences in options for towing a 5th wheel trailer with your 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500. The first and easiest would be if you have the prep package. What that is is a from the factory option that…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The Reese Elite and Reese M5 5th Wheel Hitches are completely different and the Replacement Legs item #RP86FR would not fit on the Elite series. The Replacement Legs for Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch item #RP86FR have a center to center spacing of…

view full answer...

Answer 5

There's only one hitch for your 2022 Subaru Outback with that high of a tongue weight capacity and it is the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch item #DT73RR. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Subaru with included hardware. It has a 4,500 lbs towing…

view full answer...

Answer 6

Yes, the Yakima BedRock HD Truck Bed Rack item #Y01160-58 is the complete set but it is just a set of crossbars that go over the bed of your 2023 Nissan Frontier. These attach directly to your bed sides with included adjustable locking clamps. They…

view full answer...

Answer 7

The two products you compare, 4-pole trailer wiring harnesses #118329 and #C55329, are functionally the same and connect to your 1999 Dodge Dakota in exactly the same way. Both take stop/tail/turn light signals from your Dakota and through plug-in…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Your truck does not have the factory tow package wiring so you'd need to go a different route to complete the trailer wiring. You'd need the 4-way kit part #C55329 to provide the trailer wiring and then you'd need to convert to a 7-way…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Yes, we have all of the hardware you will need to install the Curt 11829 hitch. You will want to go to the right hand side of the product page for the Replacement Hardware Kit for Trailer Hitches item #RHK you were looking at. You will see an option…

view full answer...

Answer 10

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 12

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

view full answer...

Recommended 7-Way Connector and Brake Controller for a 1996 Dodge Ram w/out Factory Connectors

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching