Brake controllers for trailers

Haz · May 16, 2003

Ordered a trailer for my L3430 and it has electric brakes. I need to install a brake controller on my Toyota Sequoia. It already has a tow package with a four wire plug next to the hitch. I was looking on the web and saw some recommendations for a Tekonsha Prodigy controller. Anyone have one of these and are they fairly easy to install?

Haz

MCAT · May 16, 2003

If you have a factory tow package, it should have a 7 pin round connector next to the hitch and with a 7 to 4 pin converter in the glove box. It will also be prewired for the controller under the dash. Very simple install, mount the controller, splice the Toyota supplied connecter to the controller, and you're done. If you only have a 4 pin, then you have to run a wire from your dash where you mount the controller back to the hitch. You will also have to run a power wire, ground wire and a wire from the brake switch to the controller. You will also need at least a 5 pin connector, but check with the trailer manufacturer to see what the have on the trailer. I have a Tekonsha, Sentinal I think, have had it for about 3 years now, works great, never had a problem with it.
Marty

Anonymous Poster · May 16, 2003

Haz
Stop by your nearest Uhaul and let the hitch experts tell you what you need. Even if you do it yourself they will explain what you need/why you need it / and how to get it done. I have a Yukon xl which was equiped with a tow package. There was a round plug at the hitch so in my case I just had to plug the wiring harness into the fuse box and mount the controleer. The controller you saw is the same brand sold at Uhaul. I have not tried it yet as my 20' trailer is on order and should arrive next week.

Bird · May 16, 2003

The Tekonsha controllers come with good instructions in the package; pretty easy job to install.

PondKeeper · May 16, 2003

Mike

Maybe you can help me understand the set up. I have a Yukon Denali that has the tow package and has already had the factory supplied wire-harness installed. I was told I need a fuse relay. Firstly, do I need a fuse relay? No one here has mentioned one. Secondly, where does the brake controller go in the wire circuit? I am a total dunce about the wire set up. I want to either get it done this weekend professionally or by myself. I need to trade up my 8 foot utility trailer for a 16 foot for my tractor. I need to get this done before Memorial Day. I will definately follow your advice and go to a hitch dealer but I would like to understand it better before going there.

Last question. I have about a 3200# tractor with the backhoe, do the utlility/landscape trailers in the 16'/7000 gross wt. have solid enough flooring or do you need the heavier skid/equipment trailer?

Thanks

Mike M

Anonymous Poster · May 16, 2003

I am getting a b2910 delivered today so I have been looking for a trailer.Some trailer dealers were suggesting a car hauler but others said this was to light a trailer and that I needed a 7000gvw trailer which is a equipment hauler. I figured it would be better to get the heavier trailer so I went
with the equipment type trailer. I have it on order but I have not seen it so I am not sure what the decking is.
The brake controller needs to be attached to the vehicle by a wiring harness. You probably got the harness when you bought the vehicle. Look in the storage unit in the rear of the Denali or in the glove box. If not the Uhaul people will sell you one or make one. The harness plugs into the fuse box at the operators seat. The plug in is marked on the fuse box cover. The harness wires are then connected to the brake box wires. The cost of the box was $89 at uhaul plus $40 to connect and mount it. I could have done it myself but it was worth the cost to get a lesson on use of the brake controller as I had never used one before. So the fuse relay they are refering to sounds like the small wiriing harness provided with the vehicle. again no big deal if you cant find it-buy one -cant be to expensive. I went with a 18 foot trailer. Dont get the drop gate landscape type trailer as the BH will get hung up on the gate. Get the split gate or the type that stores under the trailer. good luck.

PondKeeper · May 16, 2003

Mike

Thanks for the info.

I already had the wire harness you mentioned and it is in place waiting for the brake controller.

I agree on the split ramp, I saw the potential for that problem when they delivered my tractor and saw how close the BH came to the ground when backing off the trailer.

Does anyone have any preferences for rachet tie downs, ie: nylon or chains?

Mike M

TC18guy · May 16, 2003

I believe the Tekonsha unit comes with an in-line fuse. When you wire it to the harness it will be fused.

I would think chains and turnbuckles would be better than the Nylon tiedowns for that size machine

jwstewar · May 16, 2003

When I got my '99 Silverado (assuming they are the same as your Denali) there were 2 items that had to be plugged in. One is the harness everyone is telling you about, but there was also a 40 (I think) amp fuse that had to be plugged in to the fuse box under the hood. I believe it went to slot 1 and I don't have the truck with me to check it. It should've been with the bag that had the jumper wire in it.

Jim

gobbler · May 16, 2003

I bought an 03 Chevy 2500HD in January. The harness and fuse isn't supplied with truck, you need to ask for it. They give it to for free, but it's no longer in the glove box.

You only need the 40amp fuse if you need to power your trailer, ie, maintain the trailer battery.

Jim

Haz · May 16, 2003

Thanks for the quick replys. I can hopefully get it hooked up in the next few days. My trailer is waiting at the dealer. I went to look at it today and it is very nice. An 18' Worthington aluminum utility trailer with 7000 lbs. capacity. I'll post pictures as soon as I pick it up with my tractor on it. Any recommendations on the type (strength) of chains to tie down my L3430?

Haz

GaryK · May 16, 2003

When I first bought a 25' camping trailer I had a cheaper brake actuator installed, it was about $50 and worked off a time delay. I hated it, the trailer would never stop properly. I finally broke down and bought a Prodigy, they run about $129 and they work off the braking inertia of your truck. It takes a few minutes to hook up and a few more to set it up and you will not be sorry. My trailer weighs over 5600 lbs.

Steven · May 16, 2003

I use a Tekonsha Prodigy and would not trade it for any other controller. It is very easy to install if wires are already in place. but it is not that hard to run the extra wires, just make sure you use the right gauge wire for brake as it is heavier than the wires used for lights.

DavesTractor · May 16, 2003

Another vote for the Prodigy. I tow everyday with a Ford diesel dually and a triple axle gooseneck. Most other controllers are just timers, the Prodigy works much better as Gary indicated above.

Hoeman00 · May 17, 2003

I bought 4 of the KELSEY controllers for different vehicles and it has a pendalum (sp?) inside and u have to set it for controller angle.
They work really well and run $50 at local Amish trailer sales.
The new GM trucks and SUVs (including H2) all use the same trailer brake set-up.
When I get new vehicle I just unplug and move to the next ( couple minute job).
I kept a couple of the wiring harnesses and also the 7 to 4 adapters that the 02s had.
The dash already has the holes to mount the brake controller to the right of steering column.

40Kchicks · May 17, 2003

When I did the research on brake controllers I went to several RV forums. What I read over and over was that the Tekonsha prodigy and the Jordan 2020 were the choices of the people who were serious about pulling big RV's. The prodigy is easier to hook up and cost less. I pull tractors on my 20' gooseneck with this controller and it works great. Spend a little more and get the best. $125 at several places on the web including shipping.
Eric

OkieG · May 18, 2003

<font color="blue"> They give it to for free, but it's no longer in the glove box </font>

My 2500HD Chev was bought in Feb '03. I had to pay for the harness in the Parts Dept!!

OkieG

OkieG · May 18, 2003

I don't know much about brake controllers, but bought a Prodigy for my new truck, based on good comments in this forum.
So far it works beautifully...much better than the time delay brand I had been using.

OkieG

Rowski · May 18, 2003

On my 2001 2500HD (new) I got the trailer package and the harness and Max fuse were in the glove box. If you got the truck with the trailer package you not should have to pay for the harness. My dealer told me that some dealers take out the harness and fuse and sell it back to the customer even though thay payed for the trailer package. Not sure if that is true but anything is possible. What does your owners manual tell you about the harness?

nicklan · May 18, 2003

<font color="blue"> My 2500HD Chev was bought in Feb '03. I had to pay for the harness in the Parts Dept!!
<font color="black">
Should have bought a Ford. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, I have a Prodigy controller. The hardest part of the install process was where to drill holes in the dash.

Nick