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05-18-2017, 07:10 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 209
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Total noob brake controller question
I think I just got in over my head with my new flatbed car hauler (RWD sports car so it must be put on flat bed) that I . I did not realize all I was going to need. Of course, I knew about the hitch, the ball, the tongue weights, the GVTR, and much more. One other important thing I knew to get on the trailer was electric brakes. My 2013 Fleetwood Expedition has the tow package, the wiring and all the usual things needed for towing. However, I was thrown for a loop when picking it up and discussion turned to the brake controller. I went with a friend who drove his truck. The trailer dealer and my friend were talking about the use of it and I realized I had no idea what they were talking about. Now, I'm finding out that that is something I should surely have.
Here's where I need help. I've searched Amazon and see several brake controllers, but how do I know what I need? Also, a lot of them say plug and play, but I see nothing to plug and play, so is this a hard install? When it comes to vehicle electrics and wiring, I do my best to stay away. I know the basics, but it is also just enough information to be dangerous and screw something up. Other thoughts on what I should do?
(Sorry I posted in wrong forum initially)
__________________
2013 Fleetwood Expedition 36M "Scarlet B"
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05-19-2017, 06:07 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,429
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Virtually all of the electric brake controllers do the exact same thing. Some are more adaptive some are just plain functional some have widgets, bells and whistles while others don't. Personally I use a Prodigybrake controller and it works just fine.
As far as wiring goes. All of them wire the same way. There is a 12 volt constant wire, a wire that travels back to the electric brakes on your trailer, a ground wire and a wire that's activated when the brake light switch is energized by stepping on the brake pedal.
It's that simple.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]2016 Newmar Dutch Star 4369
Newmar Owners Club
USAF 1966-1969,- Law Enforcement 1969 - 2003, Retired since March 2003
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05-19-2017, 01:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 269
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You might check with Fleetwood. You might have the wiring described already in your coach with a plug on the end to plug into the brake controller. It could be wired to your hitch plug already.
__________________
Michael (KG5UMH) & Debbie - 2009 Winnebago Destination 37G - Dramatic Gold - - 340 Cummins ISB, 2500 Allison, Freightliner XC 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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05-25-2017, 11:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Livingston, Texas
Posts: 118
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angelbones
I think I just got in over my head with my new flatbed car hauler (RWD sports car so it must be put on flat bed) that I . I did not realize all I was going to need. Of course, I knew about the hitch, the ball, the tongue weights, the GVTR, and much more. One other important thing I knew to get on the trailer was electric brakes. My 2013 Fleetwood Expedition has the tow package, the wiring and all the usual things needed for towing. However, I was thrown for a loop when picking it up and discussion turned to the brake controller. I went with a friend who drove his truck. The trailer dealer and my friend were talking about the use of it and I realized I had no idea what they were talking about. Now, I'm finding out that that is something I should surely have.
Here's where I need help. I've searched Amazon and see several brake controllers, but how do I know what I need? Also, a lot of them say plug and play, but I see nothing to plug and play, so is this a hard install? When it comes to vehicle electrics and wiring, I do my best to stay away. I know the basics, but it is also just enough information to be dangerous and screw something up. Other thoughts on what I should do?
(Sorry I posted in wrong forum initially)
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Check out ETrailer.com. They have a ton of great how to videos. They make a video on installing just about everything they sell.
__________________
2018 Newmar Dutchstar 4327 K2
2018 Ram 1500 Rebel 4x4
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05-25-2017, 02:52 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,116
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It's always better to spend a little more and get a controller that uses a pendulum to detect deceleration forces and apply the brakes "proportionally". They are the next step up from the time-based brake controllers.
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05-25-2017, 05:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,911
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angelbones-
You'll find the Tekonsha P3 is popular. Here is a link to it on etrailer.
You will need to find the brake controller connector (if any) under the dash, and make sure its wiring is connected to the correct pin at the rear. If you need some help with either, you may want to call Fleetwood and get the "where do I look?" info from them.
Finally, you'll want to order a cable to connect the controller to the coach brake controller connector. etrailer sells them, too.
__________________
Mark
2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30PDD (Ford F-53 chassis)
2009 Honda Fit Sport
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05-26-2017, 06:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 209
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I went to the RV mechanic yesterday and we were both sure it was pre-wired but it turns out it's not. Now I have to go back next week to get the whole thing wired. Very frustrated and not happy with the expected 4 hours of labor, but when it comes to wiring I have no choice.
__________________
2013 Fleetwood Expedition 36M "Scarlet B"
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05-26-2017, 11:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Livingston, Texas
Posts: 118
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angelbones
I went to the RV mechanic yesterday and we were both sure it was pre-wired but it turns out it's not. Now I have to go back next week to get the whole thing wired. Very frustrated and not happy with the expected 4 hours of labor, but when it comes to wiring I have no choice.
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Call Fleetwood Customer Service. They are awesome with help. They can tell you if your coach came with the wiring, which I am willing to bet it did. I had some questions on the 12 volt to the 7 way pin on the rear on my American Coach. They even sent me a wiring diagram.
__________________
2018 Newmar Dutchstar 4327 K2
2018 Ram 1500 Rebel 4x4
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05-26-2017, 12:56 PM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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It is almost surely partially wired for a controller, but finding the existing wires for connecting a brake controller is sometimes more trouble than running new ones.
It is probably not pre-wired to the level of "plug & play", i.e. just plug in a connector somewhere.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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05-29-2017, 05:07 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,911
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bones-
This iRV2 post has a picture of a pigtail from a 2013 Dutch Star, which I believe uses a similar Freightliner chassis.
__________________
Mark
2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30PDD (Ford F-53 chassis)
2009 Honda Fit Sport
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