Stupid question about brake controllers

[Bayou Titan]

I am going to pull a covered trailer with electric brakes to Florida to haul stuff to help with hurricane Charley cleanup. I haven't seen the trailer yet but the guy said that the brake controller for the trailer is on the tongue of the trailer. Do I need to buy a brake controller and connect it to the dash? What about the pigtail thingy that came with the tow package? do I need to install it? Sorry for all the questions but I know very little about electric brake stuff and I didn't see anything about a trailer mounted controller on previous posts.

[adjmcloon]

You'll need a trailer brake controller assuming it has standard trailer brakes (and not surge brakes). On my Armada the wiring harness is tucked under the dash and clearly labeled. Just plug in a controller (Get the Tekonsha Prodigy if you want to buy it once), mount it, adjust and go. No sweat.

I imagine you've got the wiring harness from the trailer and that will plug into your 7 way connector on your bumper. The trailer might have a breakaway switch installed on or near the trailer hitch, but you won't worry about that unless something bad happens. Essentially it will apply the trailer brakes if the trailer pops off your truck.

That is, unless for some weird reason, the guy has a controller mounted on the trailer itself as your post says. I've never heard of anyone doing this myself, as usually the controller is inside the vehicle so you can adjust the sensitivity of it.

[titanjbc]

My guess is that the trailer has surge brakes, where the brake force is determined by the force of the trailer against the hitch. When you stop, the trailer pushes against the hitch, engaging the brakes. You should definitely confirm what types of brakes, electric or surge. If the trailer has surge brakes, chances are it has a 4 pin wiring harness for lights. If so, you can buy a 7 pin (what's on the truck) to 4 pin adapter for $10-15 at UHaul or Walmart. I hope that helps...

[IMADOGMAN]

From the comment your friend made, I would bet that it has surge brakes...

[Bayou Titan]

Thanks guys! So, if the trailer has surge brakes I don't need a brake controller?

[dooboy2112]

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Thanks guys! So, if the trailer has surge brakes I don't need a brake controller?

That would be correct.