Towing a trailer question

[ghoticov]

Hey everyone...

I have a question that is probably a dumb one. HA!

I have a trip coming up with our Hurricane 30q and I am going to be towing a Stealth 14ft trailer. The trailer has trailer brakes and a round 7 pin connecter to hook it up. The MH has the same round connector but inside, I see no trailer brake control. Is there a reason the MH would have the round 7 connector (which is to control the electric trailer brakes, right?) but no trailer brake controller inside? Would the electric brakes even work without a trailer brake controller inside the coach?

Thanks for any help!

Marc

[JamieGeek]

It is likely you don't have a brake controller, and it is likely you don't have the brake line wired up.

[ghoticov]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

It is likely you don't have a brake controller, and it is likely you don't have the brake line wired up.

Yikes. Is it needed? The trailer is 2000lbs and I will be putting another probably 2000lbs in it. I can't imagine that I should tow it without a brake controller or am I being paranoid?

[ghoticov]

Also, here is a trailer similar to the one that I will be towing:

New Stealth Super Lite Cargo Trailer Classifieds | 2017 Stealth Super Lite Cargo Trailer for sale in East Bethel, Minnesota | MN Trailer Dealer Central Trailer Sales - TrailersUSA.com

[bevedfelker]

You are going g to have to wire in a brake controller so the electric brakes will work. The only thing Thor wires to the 7-way connector are lights, brake lights, and turn signals. And those connections need to be verified because several owners have found the lights wired incorrectly when they installed a brake controller. Good luck.

[The Guidrys]

Your coach should have come with a wiring harness and connector that would mate up to the wiring for a brake controller. My harness was placed inside my Thor "bag o goodies" with the coach manuals and such.

The lights will work correctly, however, the brakes on the trailer will NOT work without an appropriate controller.

The Tekonsha P3 brake controller runs about $100 and its very easy to wire, setup and use. I purchased an additional wiring harness for my truck, so I can use it with either vehicle. I like it because it is easily removed, and stored in my glove compartment.

[ghoticov]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

You are going g to have to wire in a brake controller so the electric brakes will work. The only thing Thor wires to the 7-way connector are lights, brake lights, and turn signals. And those connections need to be verified because several owners have found the lights wired incorrectly when they installed a brake controller. Good luck.

Thanks for the info!

[ghoticov]

Originally Posted by The Guidrys

Your coach should have come with a wiring harness and connector that would mate up to the wiring for a brake controller. My harness was placed inside my Thor "bag o goodies" with the coach manuals and such.

The lights will work correctly, however, the brakes on the trailer will NOT work without an appropriate controller.

The Tekonsha P3 brake controller runs about $100 and its very easy to wire, setup and use. I purchased an additional wiring harness for my truck, so I can use it with either vehicle. I like it because it is easily removed, and stored in my glove compartment.

Thanks! I do have some kind of wiring that is just under the steering wheel and I wonder if its where the previous owner had a brake controller hooked up. I will get a picture of it and post it so you guys can tell me if that is indeed what it is.

But I will need a controller so I will look into the Tekonsha P3 brake controller that you stated. It looks like its about $118 on amazon, thats not bad at all.

Amazon.com: Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control: Automotive

[ghoticov]

Here is the plug/connecter that is under the steering column. The cap says " O B D " but not sure what that is. Here is a pic...could this be the plug for the brake control?

[JamieGeek]

That is the diagnostic connector--scan tool to read engine codes, heads up display, etc. not for the brake controller. (OBD = "On Board Diagnostic")

Wow only 5 pins. Hmm GND, +12V, CAN+, CAN-, but what of the 5th pin? ISO-9141 (don't know if anyone uses that anymore)..ooh google:

Three in the middle top:
Left = Chassis (ground)
Middle = Signal Ground
Right = CAN +

Bottom two:
Left = CAN -
Right = 12V/VBat

Yeah forgot chassis vs signal ground.

CAN+/CAN- comprise the vehicle bus that the diagnostic reader talks over. Yeah I know: TMI

[ghoticov]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

That is the diagnostic connector--scan tool to read engine codes, heads up display, etc. not for the brake controller. (OBD = "On Board Diagnostic")

Wow only 5 pins. Hmm GND, +12V, CAN+, CAN-, but what of the 5th pin? ISO-9141 (don't know if anyone uses that anymore)..ooh google:

Three in the middle top:
Left = Chassis (ground)
Middle = Signal Ground
Right = CAN +

Bottom two:
Left = CAN -
Right = 12V/VBat

Yeah forgot chassis vs signal ground.

CAN+/CAN- comprise the vehicle bus that the diagnostic reader talks over. Yeah I know: TMI

That's so far over my head. Lol

[bevedfelker]

If you look under the rear of you coach there should be a harness coming out of the 7-way plug. The factory should have wired the lights so there should be wires going to pins 1, 3, 5, and 6. They might have wired the 12VDC pin 4. They also should have put a blue wire on pin 2 for the brake controller; however, (as on my 2015 Vegas) the wire probably only runs to somewhere behind the fuel tank and is capped off.

If you are going to install the brake controller, you will have to wire it to the chassis electrical system under the hood for 12 vdc power, and a ground. You'll also have to wire in an in-line fuse for the 12VDC going to the brake controller. Then you will have to wire a (blue preferably) a wire for the brake controller brake signal and run it from under the dash to the engine compartment and then back along the chassis to splice in to the blue wire that they have capped off from the 7-way connector.

Do not be surprised if you have to completely rewire the 7-way because several owners reported when they went to wire in a brake controller they found the factory wiring for the lights was completely wrong.

You can buy a trailer simulator adapter that you plug in the 7-way and it will check the light wiring, power, ground, and brake signal (once you finish wiring it in.

If this sounds like a little too much, check with your dealer to have the brake controller wired in.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by ghoticov

That's so far over my head. Lol

Ron sez...if your coach does not have the Brake Controller...we went through the same thing 2 yrs ago. We went from a motorhome to a Toyhauler...we had to wire a Brake Controller to our Ford pickup..and it had a separate connector to the trailer brakes near the lights connector at the rear of the truck.

When done...the Brake Controller (if you must have one installed) will be located near your OBD under the steering wheel area of your dashboard...and on our truck..then, the controller plugged into the wiring system for the trailer lights, etc. (a box) under the hood.
Ron had a pro install it. Ron sez, it is not that big a deal putting it in.

We now have an Axis 24.1 and are pulling a Stealth 6x10 for the motorcycles..no brakes required...love the trailer.

Good luck !

[ghoticov]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

If you look under the rear of you coach there should be a harness coming out of the 7-way plug. The factory should have wired the lights so there should be wires going to pins 1, 3, 5, and 6. They might have wired the 12VDC pin 4. They also should have put a blue wire on pin 2 for the brake controller; however, (as on my 2015 Vegas) the wire probably only runs to somewhere behind the fuel tank and is capped off.

If you are going to install the brake controller, you will have to wire it to the chassis electrical system under the hood for 12 vdc power, and a ground. You'll also have to wire in an in-line fuse for the 12VDC going to the brake controller. Then you will have to wire a (blue preferably) a wire for the brake controller brake signal and run it from under the dash to the engine compartment and then back along the chassis to splice in to the blue wire that they have capped off from the 7-way connector.

Do not be surprised if you have to completely rewire the 7-way because several owners reported when they went to wire in a brake controller they found the factory wiring for the lights was completely wrong.

You can buy a trailer simulator adapter that you plug in the 7-way and it will check the light wiring, power, ground, and brake signal (once you finish wiring it in.

If this sounds like a little too much, check with your dealer to have the brake controller wired in.

I took your advice and sought out someone to install it. I was right by the CW where we bought the coach. They took a look, saw that it was prewired and charged me a 1/2 hour labor plus the brake control and wire harness and the total came up to just under $200. So now I at least know it was done right (yes, I trust this particular CW...they have done work for me before). If I had tried to do it on my own, trust me... I would have made things worse. HA!