nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,743 
Likes: 2,870
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Jul 30, 2014 19:51:14 GMT -8
As some of you know, I just bought a new truck with a tow package. It came with a transmission cooler etc, but no brake controller. There is a pre wired plug for one by the emergency brake. It has a full wiring plug (not just 4 prong for lights) and it's a beast of a truck, so do I really need a controller? If yes, are any brands better than others?
My $2000 Vintage camper is getting expensive!
|
|
John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 574
Currently Offline
|
Post by John Palmer on Jul 30, 2014 20:16:24 GMT -8
Yes, you need a controller. You can get a "plug in" harness that is made for your specific vehicle. I like the progressive controller's. Your looking at another $100.
|
|
poncho62
Junior Member
Posts: 99
Likes: 30
99 Springdale 5th Wheel
Currently Offline
|
Post by poncho62 on Jul 31, 2014 2:51:02 GMT -8
Also, you may need to install the fuse to make that harness work....it may not have been installed at the factory.
I just bought a Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control It is head and shoulders above a timed controller..Spend the extra money, you will be glad you did
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on Jul 31, 2014 4:54:35 GMT -8
Make sure you read the directions and install it properly. My truck has a factory installed controller but previous to it my preference was Tekonsha controllers. They seem to stand up to extreme use and dust very well We installed them in fleet vehicles for years with no problems.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,743
Likes: 2,870
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Jul 31, 2014 5:00:06 GMT -8
What is a progressive controller? Sorry if that's a silly question.
I will check out the Tekonsha.
According to the manual, the truck has a separate harness. I assumed the harness was fused but it's worth checking. They sure didn't give me a clear place to mount it. It's going to break my heart to take a drill to the new console (low) but no way around it.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on Jul 31, 2014 5:49:43 GMT -8
You have to buy a unit then read mounting directions some have to be mounted in given position. Then you can decide where to mount it. Remember the fun of buying a new truck is drilling holes in it. Seriously as you mount things in your truck there are several things to remember, the most important thing is to not mount them any place that will be in the path of an inflating air bag or a knee in case of a crash.
|
|
poncho62
Junior Member
Posts: 99
Likes: 30
99 Springdale 5th Wheel
Currently Offline
|
Post by poncho62 on Jul 31, 2014 15:49:06 GMT -8
What is a progressive controller? Sorry if that's a silly question. Not silly....A progressive or proportional controller senses the rate that your truck is stopping and matches the trailer brakes to that. A timed controller is just set to a certain voltage and you get the same trailer braking all the time. They are much jerkier than the proportional ones if set high...if set lower, you dont get enough braking. |
|
John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 574
Currently Offline
|
Post by John Palmer on Jul 31, 2014 17:56:33 GMT -8
What is a progressive controller? Sorry if that's a silly question. Not silly....A progressive or proportional controller senses the rate that your truck is stopping and matches the trailer brakes to that. A timed controller is just set to a certain voltage and you get the same trailer braking all the time. They are much jerkier than the proportional ones if set high...if set lower, you dont get enough braking. Yup, a good explaination.
The other reason is that you should think about the truck and the trailer as two separate issues. While it may be true that the weight of a travel trailer does not change much, and after you set the brake controller one time and find the "sweet spot" you can leave it alone. But what happens when you connect your truck to a different trailer, or in my case I pull a race car. The trailer weight doubles when the race car is on the trailer compared to towing the empty trailer. Using the brake controller is how your going to compensate to the different weights and trailer's that you will be towing.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,743
Likes: 2,870
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Jul 31, 2014 18:49:57 GMT -8
Great info. Just what I needed to know. Thanks again.
|
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on Nov 5, 2014 16:46:10 GMT -8
Thanks for this thread, it answered all my questions regarding brake controllers. Next phase is new tires, 7 way harness and controller.
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on Nov 6, 2014 13:57:51 GMT -8
the main question, you may have answered somewhere else, does the trailer have brakes, and if so do you want them to work? If it doesnt, then no, or if you dont want them workin. if it does then i would recommend adding them. you can actually get by wiring a 6 pin although i like the blade contact on a 7 pin.
As far as the factory tow package goes, one thing to remember is the factory may have ran 12 gauge wire to the back of the harness where many recommend 10ga minimum for the brake power
|
|
