Brake Controller and Trailer Wiring Installation on 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Question

Question:

I am looking for a trailer wiring installation kit for my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I would prefer a 6 pole connector instead of a flat for so I may add a trailer brake circuit. Do you have such a kit

asked by: Robert D

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

To install a brake contorller on your 1997 Grand Cherokee, you'd first need to install a 4-pole connector, using the Tow Ready # 118349.

How you'd proceed next will depend on the connector use on the trailer you'll want to pull. I'd recommend using a 7-way because it's the most common. You can always use an adapter like part # HM47570 to convert it to anything else you'd need.

To actuate the electric brakes on the trailer, you'd need a brake controller. I'd recommend going with a proportional controller. A proportional controller features an internal accelerometer that can determine how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping. It will then send the correct amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so the vehicle and trailer brake at the same rate for safer, more predictable braking. The Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160 is a reasonably priced proportional controller that would work very well for you.

The older time-delayed controllers are indeed a bit less expensive, but they will always send the same amount of voltage you've preset to the trailer brakes, regardless of whether you've tapped the pedal or you're standing on the brake with both feet to avoid that herd of water buffalo that are stampeding across the road in front of you. (Don't you hate when that happens?)

You'd then need one of our Brake Controller Installation Kits, # ETBC7 for a 7-way or # ETBC6 for a 6-way.
The install kits include an adapter to convert the 4-pole into a 6 or a 7 way, plus all the wire, hardware and circuit breakers needed to install a brake controller and a 7-way on your Grand Cherokee.

I'll link you to a video showing the kit being used to install a brake controller on a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The vehicle is different than yours, but the procedure would be pretty similar.

expert reply by: Mike L

1

Answer 1

Having the factory fuse is perfectly fine for an aftermarket brake controller. The benefit of a circuit breaker is that it can reset itself so you do not have to replace a fuse should it blow. So you are good to go with the 30 amp factory fuse…

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Answer 2

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…

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Answer 3

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…

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Answer 4

Hey Jeremy, Typically with boat trailers the manufacturer will install hydraulic surge brakes because you don't have to worry about the water damaging wires like you would with electric brakes. That being said, if you use a heat shrink butt…

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Answer 5

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 6

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.

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Answer 7

Hey Antoine, so the two kits you mentioned are actually really similar and honestly I would go with the part #ETBC7 if I were you. The #ETBC7L is basically the same thing minus a couple wires and breakers so you may as well get the kit that has…

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Answer 8

If you have a vehicle specific wiring harness for a brake controller then that would indicate that you have a factory tow package and subsequently would already have a 7-way at the back of your vehicle. The universal 7-way connector #ETBC7 is meant…

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Answer 9

There is a trailer hitch receiver as well as a 4-way wiring harness that fit your 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WL; that said, we don't have any way to reference a VIN so you'll need to confirm if you do have the WL, which is the new model of…

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