Brake Controller and 7-Way Trailer Connector Install 2006 Honda Pilot  

Question:

Expert Reply:

We have a Brake Controller Installation Guide which will help you through the process, I will provide a link to the guide below.

As a first step, you would need a 4-way connector on your vehicle to provide lighting for the trailer. For your Pilot, I would recommend the T-1 Vehicle Wiring Harness, part # 118336.

You would then need an adapter to convert the 4-way to a 7-way. If you are wanting to install a brake controller to actuate trailer brakes, we offer a brake controller installation kit, part # ETBC7. This kit contains everything necessary to install a brake controller, including the 4-way to 7-way adapter.

You will then need to choose a brake controller. I would suggest a proportional controller, such as the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885. A proportional controller has an internal sensor that can tell how quickly and at what intensity the tow vehicle is braking, and will then send the appropriate amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so that the vehicle and trailer stop at the same rate.

The 4 to 7-way adapter that is included in the kit would mount to the rear of the vehicle, and would plug into the T-1 harness I recommended above. The remaining three wires on the adapter would need to be ran as follows: The blue wire on the adapter would be lengthened using wire included in the install kit and be ran into the passenger compartment to carry the brake controller output voltage. The black wire would provide 12-volts to the trailer for any trailer mounted accessories requiring power. This wire would run to the positive battery terminal via a 40 amp inline circuit breaker provided with the install kit. The purple wire is typically used to carry the signal for the trailer reverse lights (if necessary).

The brake controller itself is mounted under the dash, within easy reach of the driver. The controller would have four wires exiting the rear. The black wire would run to the positive battery terminal using the 20- or 30-amp breaker supplied in the kit (whichever the operating instructions for the controller require). The white wire would ground to the negative battery terminal, and the blue wire would connect to the brake output wire that was ran from the trailer connector. The red wire would attach to the brake pedal stoplight switch located at the top of the brake pedal. This switch can have several wires exiting it, your best bet would be to use a circuit tester such as part # PTW2993 to probe each wire until you locate the wire that only shows current when the brake pedal is pressed. Once this wire is located, tap the red wire into it.

See the install video that's linked for more information.

expert reply by: Mike L

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