Brake controller question and more!

scorpion12 · 08-13-2007, 10:06 AM

Ok, I need more info about my truck, and don't really have time to search the threads...

I'll primarily be towing a US Cargo 2 axle enclosed trailer. 2 5/16" ball.

#1. I'll need a brake controller. What is a good one?

#2. The truck has a 4 pin wiring plug and the trailer has a 7 pin (round) plug. If I get a 4-->7 adapter, will the brakes work on the trailer or will a separate harness need to be run to the back of the truck for trailer lights and brakes?

#3. Does my Titan have the controller plug under the dash as mentioned in other threads? It's an '04 Titan.

#3. I've got a buyer's 3 ball adjustable hitch. The darn thing sticks out SO far that the safety chains on the trailer barely connect. (There wouldn't be any slack in the chains if I hooked them up). Is it a bad idea to take 2 tow rated carabiners (tow clips) and put them on the hitch on the truck to give the trailer safety chains more slack? Kind of like this ---> 00 Clip 1 to each side of the hitch in the safety chain holes, then clip a 2nd one in each of those to give the chains a bit of slack... Or, is it a better idea to put longer safety chains on the trailer?

I'll be towing this weekend and need to get this done quickly and SAFELY.

Thanks

**walleeme** · 08-13-2007, 10:32 AM

Take the truck to your local RV shop and pay a bill.

Boomer_Mikey · 08-13-2007, 10:52 AM

Any of the Tekonsha controllers are good.
These are wiring and controller instructions for the Tekonsha Prodigy... their most popular controller ~ $100.
If your truck came with the big tow package there should be a cable in your glove box or console.

Any RV dealer or U-Haul towing center will be able to set you up in less than a day with all the correct cable adapters and safety chains.

I would never consider towing anything heavy without a Weight Distrubution (WD) hitch and sway control system.

Boomer

scorpion12 · 08-13-2007, 11:29 AM

I'm not 100% certain whether the truck has the tox package or not. Some people on this board are saying 2004's DIDN'T come with tow packages... unless the 2004's that did aren't the XE's...

Regardless, I need the controller.

Boomer_Mikey · 08-13-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpion12

I'm not 100% certain whether the truck has the tox package or not. Some people on this board are saying 2004's DIDN'T come with tow packages... unless the 2004's that did aren't the XE's...

Regardless, I need the controller.

Our 2004 Off Road, Crew Cab SE came with the big tow package, off road package and the utility bed package.

Boomer

Quartz · 08-14-2007, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpion12

I'm not 100% certain whether the truck has the tox package or not. Some people on this board are saying 2004's DIDN'T come with tow packages... unless the 2004's that did aren't the XE's...

Regardless, I need the controller.

Look at your mirrors if they are the big ones you have the tow package. If thery are the small ones you don't.

duppa43 · 08-18-2007, 07:26 PM

actually, I too am looking for all these answers, anyone that can help, please help us out!

coondog20110 · 08-22-2007, 09:47 AM

I'll try to answer your questions duppa43. If you don't already have a receiver hitch, buy the Nissan OEM. It comes with the relays you will need for the lights and brakes.

I have an 04 SE non big tow and I had the 7 pin harness behind my rear bumper. All I did was plug it into the OEM hitch.

I also had the brake controller wiring under the dash just to the left of the steering column. I did have to buy the adapter cable that mates the Nissan plug to the Tekonsha unit.

If you have any other questions just ask.

Larry

Nuke · 08-22-2007, 10:58 AM

I don't really have time to answer the first two questions.

JK

The answer to the first #3 is yes, you have the pigtail, unles you have an XE. If you have an XE, here is how to install the controller.

04 XE KC Brake controller install

The answer to the second #3 is that the chain quick links are as strong as the chain.

TitanLou · 08-22-2007, 12:17 PM

Like Boomer Mikey said get the Weight Distribution Hitch. If the trailer is big enough to have a 2 5/16 ball you will need this hitch. I have the Tekonsha Voyager brake controller in my truck and it works good. The clips should work, but I would just buy new chains.

scorpion12 · 08-22-2007, 12:51 PM

Alright, we went and had the Prdigy installed. All's well. The hitch is going to be modified to add 2 chain links on the side. They'll weld 2 lnks onto the hitch itself and it'll be good.

The prodigy is really nice. And it was nice that the truck had the 4 pin and 7 pin harnesses run already.

Quad T · 08-24-2007, 08:20 AM

I too vote Tekonsha Prodigy for the brake controller. My Titan came with Big Tow and I ordered the prodigy with the optional Nissan pigtail. The whole unit just pluged together, as someone who does not know squat about electrical stuff this was the perfect solution.

I'm very happy with the Prodigy, and I bought it just because so many of the people here said it was the one to get.