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Help. Need to add a trailer brake control


TimC

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I just bought a 2005 Ranger and own a Coleman pop up camper. My camper has a 7 wire female and my truck has a 4 wire male. What is the best solution to add a brake controller to the truck and use the existing camper connection?
 


adsm08

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So you want to take a 4-pin connector on the truck and use it with trailer brakes? That's just a little impossible. You will have to add a 7-pin plug on the truck. I've never even seen an adapter to go from a 4-pin truck to a 7-pin trailer. It isn't hard to put the 7-pin on, I did mine in about an hour.

Go to the parts store, grab a 7-pin kit, then you will also need to get a trailer brake controller if you want to actually use the trailer's brakes. I am partial to the Reese units.
 

TimC

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I'll try it.

Thanks.
I was concerned how tough it might be to install that kit. I'm pretty handy but not experienced with much auto stuff. I'll try it though.
 

RonD

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Good help here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TrailerLights.shtml

4 wire has
tail lights
left turn-----brake lights
right turn--/
ground

7 wire adds
Reverse lights
12volts
Electric brake control

You will need to run 12v line from battery(fused of course :)) and electric brake line from controller in cab
 
Last edited:
adsm08

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RonD said:
You will need to run 12v line from battery(fused of course :)) and electric brake line from controller in cab
Click to expand...
You don't have to, but if its for a camper I would.

I didn't bother because I set mine up for just a cargo trailer.
 

TimC

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To adsm08--
Thanks for your helpful advice. I had almost decided to just hire someone to do this because of my timeline, but the urgency is not there any more. Plus, I got an estimate from a local 'hitch' installer of $285 for the parts and labor to do just the 7way blade work. I think that's a little steep so I may just do it myself.

Any further advice on how to actually install would be appreciated.
I am assuming I need a brake controller installed in the drivers area as well as the connector. Anything else needed?
 
gw33gp

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adsm08 said:
You don't have to, but if its for a camper I would.

I didn't bother because I set mine up for just a cargo trailer.
Click to expand...
A trailer with a safety break away brake system should need a full time 12V line to supply power to a battery or brakes depending on which type of brake away safety system is used.

Many states require this safety system depending on size.
 
glindy

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Check out etrailer.com they have wiring diagrams that are easy to follow,direct plug in kits and parts at a good price. Also the truck should have the female connections,the trailer should be male plugs.
 
Last edited:
adsm08

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Dillsburg PA
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Ford
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4.0 V6
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4.0
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Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
gw33gp said:
A trailer with a safety break away brake system should need a full time 12V line to supply power to a battery or brakes depending on which type of brake away safety system is used.

Many states require this safety system depending on size.
Click to expand...
You are correct, however the trailer in question in my situation was not heavy enough to require electric brakes under PA law, and while it has them they don't seem to work.
 
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