Parts Needed for Brake Controller Installation on 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Question:

I have a towing package with a 4 pin, I want to install a 7 pin With brake controller and also charge my pop up trailer battery as I tow. The trailer had an inverter. What parts do I need ? Is there an Installation video?

asked by: Marc M

Helpful Expert Reply:

First, you'll need to choose a brake controller. I'd recommend a proportional-type controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885. A proportional controller has an internal accelerometer that can sense how quickly the tow vehicle is braking. It will then send the appropriate amount of voltage to the trailer brake so the vehicle and the trailer stop at the same rate. This provides safer, more predictable braking.

We offer a Brake Controller Install Kit, part # ETBC7 that includes an adapter that would plug into your existing 4-pole, and would convert it into a 7-way connector. All hardware, wire and circuit breakers are also included. Once the adapter is plugged into the existing 4 pole, there will be four wires remaining. The blue wire carries the output from the brake controller, and the black wire carries 12-volt accessory power from the battery that can maintain (but not charge) a trailer mounted battery. A 40 amp breaker included in the kit is installed inline on the battery maintenance circuit. The white wire grounds to the vehicle frame and the purple wire, which is typically used for the reverse lamp circuit can tap into the reverse lamp circuit on the Wrangler if needed.

In the passenger compartment, the controller is usually mounted to the underside of the dash to the right of the steering column, within easy reach of the driver. The blue wire attaches to the wire ran from the trailer connector to carry the output voltage to the trailer brakes. The black brake controller wire connects to the positive battery terminal, via a circuit breaker included in the install kit. The white wire connects to the negative battery terminal, and the red wire connects to the brake stoplight switch.

The stoplight switch is located at the top of the brake pedal. There will be several wires exiting the switch, but you're looking for the one that only shows power on it when the brake pedal is pushed. According to my research, the wire you need to tap the red wire into is white and brown striped, but I recommend confirming this with a circuit tester like part # PTW2993.

I'll link you to the installation instructions for the kit, as well as to a video showing a brake controller being installed on a 2013 Wrangler Unlimited.