Trailer Brake Controller Installation on 2007 APEX

[M&J]

Has anyone installed a trailer brake controller in a new APEX?

I have located the trailer brake wiring that was provided by WRV under the dash of my 2007 APEX. The heavy guage Blue Brake Wire is routed and connected to the 7 Pin trailer plug at the rear of the coach already.

There is also a white wire that looks like it comes from the Vansaco unit wire tied to the blue wire under the dash and is marked "BRK". I am assuming that has been supplied to use as the stop light signal for the trailer brake controler. I expected to see voltage that would light a test light when the brake pedal is depressed but that doesn't happen. In fact when you touch the wire with a test light it activates the electric brake booster without depressing the pedal when the key is off. If you use a volt meter there is 12 volts on the wire until you press the brake pedal and then the voltage goes away. This is the opposite of what I had expected.

If this is normal then they must have planned on a relay being added to control the input to the brake controller.

Any enlightenment on what someone else has found or knows would be appreciated.

[EngineerMike]

Mark- check out the Apline Coach Assoc. Tech Library where you'll find info on Vansco. Check out the 2820 manual & the Vansco Tech pdf you'll find under the Chassis section for info on how the unit works. There is a warning about installing a relay on any of the Input circuits. You can Search on the Apline Forum here for more discussion on Vansco & brakes.

[M&J]

Thanks Mike. I looked quick and didn't see anything on it but that will help me find it. I appreciate the help.

[dgerstel]

Mike,

My coach should be a lot like yours, for wiring. I installed a US Gear tow brake system, here are links to info about that.

Tow Wiring and Extra Wires

Brake Signal Connection

Trailer Connector

A few months ago I bought a toy hauler trailer to take to Burningman. I added plugs in the wires to the US Gear tow brake controller and a matching set of plugs to a trailer brake controller. I switched the plugs to the trailer controller for the trip with the trailer and then back to the US Gear controller after that trip.

[M&J]

Dale,

Thank you for the info. I knew I had seen the info somewhere in the past, when you first posted it. I purchased the coach new last March and hadn't gotten to installing the brake controller until I will be needing it in the next month or so. I did a few searches but didn't find all this info again.

I am planning on installing a US Gear Towed Brake System as well so I will plan on emulating your set up when I do.

I appreciate the help and look forward to returning the favor some day!

Thanks again,

Mark