Electronic Brake Controller?

[Catbones]

Hi,

So I'm being told that my truck would require to have an Electronic Break Controller installed?

Is it really hard to install, or should I allow the dealer to put on for $350 - $500 ? depending on the time it will take them.

Any suggestions? (btw, it's a 07 Torrent)

Thanks

[Catbones]

Anyone can explain how they work? My Torrent does have the 4 pole in the back interior, I know I have to get a 4 pole to 7 pole. Just confused what the box under my dashboard does then ? and how hard its installed.

[jesilvas]

The truck is an 07 Torrent?
What truck is it on? Because for a Tekonsha 9003 it'd be about 150 bucks or so installed with the harness and hooked up. You may need 7way wiring socket, brake wire, charge wire, and other things to make it all work right. But for JUST brake controller, not that much. I'd clarify with them.

After reading the second post, they are going to add a brake wire and probably a charge line to the back. Your four flat connector is running lights, left and right turn, and ground. You need a 12V charge line, backup (if you want), and brake wire to feed trailer brakes.
To do a charge line you should have a key on relay so you can't drain your batteries unless the key is on.
Brake controller needs ground, 12V source, wire that is hot when brakes are pushed in tow vehicle, then a load wire out to the trailer brakes. Then a circuit breaker from the battery to not let the controller over draw. It uses proportional voltage to the trailer brakes to make it slow at the same rate you are.
You need a lot to make it work.

[Catbones]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

The truck is an 07 Torrent?
What truck is it on? Because for a Tekonsha 9003 it'd be about 150 bucks or so installed with the harness and hooked up. You may need 7way wiring socket, brake wire, charge wire, and other things to make it all work right. But for JUST brake controller, not that much. I'd clarify with them.

After reading the second post, they are going to add a brake wire and probably a charge line to the back. Your four flat connector is running lights, left and right turn, and ground. You need a 12V charge line, backup (if you want), and brake wire to feed trailer brakes.
To do a charge line you should have a key on relay so you can't drain your batteries unless the key is on.
Brake controller needs ground, 12V source, wire that is hot when brakes are pushed in tow vehicle, then a load wire out to the trailer brakes. Then a circuit breaker from the battery to not let the controller over draw. It uses proportional voltage to the trailer brakes to make it slow at the same rate you are.
You need a lot to make it work.

Thanks for the info, its about the same what I've researched so far. $350 doesn't sound so bad for them doing it. I've also don't want to do it myself and have a screw up specially since I need to cut into the break wire under the dash. Wanted to make sure I wasn't being over charged.

So $350 sounds about fair for the Brake Controller and hookup ?

[jesilvas]

Find out what they're doing, be an informed consumer.
Is it just the controller and a wire to the back with a 7way socket? Or is it brake controller, wire to back, socket, and a charge line to the back also? Is there anything else they're doing?

[Catbones]

I'll see how much the service department quotes me exactly on Monday. If it's too much and they have the wiring package and the brake controller there. I'll just buy it from there and do it myself. Looks pretty straight forward from the videos at etrailer and for any handy man.

[jesilvas]

There is no "package" to change a 4way plug to a 7way. You have to get the wire loom, wiring, ties, circuit breakers, find all the wires, run them, and piece it all together.

[Catbones]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

There is no "package" to change a 4way plug to a 7way. You have to get the wire loom, wiring, ties, circuit breakers, find all the wires, run them, and piece it all together.

Sure there is, checkout etrailer . com that's what I was referring to as package. The wiring pack and the brake controller. Which with the lack you'll get the 7 and 4 connectors after your done right.

[jesilvas]

Ok well I've just never looked, so, if you say so.
Still gotta run all the new wiring and find brake wires under the dash along with a relay and circuit breakers.