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04-30-2018, 06:39 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: seattle,wa USA
Posts: 1,025
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Do I need a brake controller?
I've only towed the car hauler trailer with the Miata about 100 miles. I've adjusted all 4 brakes on the trailer and have the 7 pin plug from the trailer plugged into the corresponding receptacle on the back of the motorhome. The total weight of the trailer, car, and contents in the 2 storage boxes is less than 4,000 pounds.
Someone in the campground stopped by to inspect the car/trailer and happened to ask what type of brake controller was I using and my response was, I wasn't using a brake controller. The discussion ended but the question is lingering and I haven't found anything on the "net" that give me a definitive answer, "do I need a brake controller or not"?
The objective is to err on the side of safety, so with that being said, let's hear from those who know about brake controllers in this specific situation. Thanks!
__________________
Gary, Maxwell and the Beanie Weenie.
2002 Newmar Kountry Star. Cummins ISB 24 valve
2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 toad on a double axle car hauling trailer
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04-30-2018, 06:45 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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In most states, if the combined load of the trailer and contents exceeds 3,500 lbs, you need brakes (that work) on the trailer. Same holds true if you're flat towing a car/truck.
Installing the brake controller is the easy part, the tough part is finding the brake controller wire loom under your dash. In most cases, the chassis builder carefully and thoroughly hides that wire loom making it virtually impossible to find. Only due diligence get the job done.
__________________
[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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04-30-2018, 06:49 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Bel Air, Maryland
Posts: 253
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If the trailer has brakes then yes you need a brake controler for brakes to operate.
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Jim/Lois 1999 Newmar Mountain Aire MACA3797 F53 - V10
Bel Air, Maryland 5 Star Tuning & Air Lift Bags
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04-30-2018, 06:51 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,469
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You say you adjusted the brakes on the trailer, but how are they activated? Are they electric, hydraulic, air ? Plugging the 7-pin connector in does nothing if the trailer is expecting a signal on the E-brake wire and you have no controller.
__________________
John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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04-30-2018, 07:01 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: seattle,wa USA
Posts: 1,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algoma
You say you adjusted the brakes on the trailer, but how are they activated? Are they electric, hydraulic, air ? Plugging the 7-pin connector in does nothing if the trailer is expecting a signal on the E-brake wire and you have no controller.
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the brakes are electric.
__________________
Gary, Maxwell and the Beanie Weenie.
2002 Newmar Kountry Star. Cummins ISB 24 valve
2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 toad on a double axle car hauling trailer
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04-30-2018, 07:01 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Full Timing From SW Florida
Posts: 1,950
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Gary, even though that isn't much weight behind your coach, if it was me I would get a brake controller. That trailer has brakes so you may as well use them.
On newer coaches the install takes about 10 minutes because the wiring is a simple plug-n-play up by the steering column. Not sure on your coach.
__________________
Stand For The Flag.....Kneel For The Fallen
Gave Up Full Time RV Traveling 2023.
U.S. Army: VN 71-72 (64B20)
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04-30-2018, 07:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: seattle,wa USA
Posts: 1,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LJowdy
In most states, if the combined load of the trailer and contents exceeds 3,500 lbs, you need brakes (that work) on the trailer. Same holds true if you're flat towing a car/truck.
Installing the brake controller is the easy part, the tough part is finding the brake controller wire loom under your dash. In most cases, the chassis builder carefully and thoroughly hides that wire loom making it virtually impossible to find. Only due diligence get the job done.
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What brand brake controller do you use for your enclosed trailer?
__________________
Gary, Maxwell and the Beanie Weenie.
2002 Newmar Kountry Star. Cummins ISB 24 valve
2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 toad on a double axle car hauling trailer
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04-30-2018, 07:05 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: seattle,wa USA
Posts: 1,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLJOE
Gary, even though that isn't much weight behind your coach, if it was me I would get a brake controller. That trailer has brakes so you may as well use them.
On newer coaches the install takes about 10 minutes because the wiring is a simple plug-n-play up by the steering column. Not sure on your coach.
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THANKS Joe. Not sure Freightliner/Newmar was that forward thinking back on 2002 when they put mine together
__________________
Gary, Maxwell and the Beanie Weenie.
2002 Newmar Kountry Star. Cummins ISB 24 valve
2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 toad on a double axle car hauling trailer
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04-30-2018, 08:57 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,429
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Tizzyfit, I use a Prodigy but just about every one of the 'better" controllers will work just fine.
__________________
[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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04-30-2018, 09:05 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: seattle,wa USA
Posts: 1,025
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I've made an appointment for next Thursday morning to have the necessary wiring and brake controller installed. The basic verbal quote is 4 hours labor and parts.
THANK YOU to all who replied to my question. As is the case with some of us "senior citizens", sometimes the obvious escapes us. After towing the Mazda PU for 6 years with the brake buddy and no controller, it never occurred to me the trailer would require a brake controller and why the folks that built the trailer didn't mention it shall remain a mystery.
__________________
Gary, Maxwell and the Beanie Weenie.
2002 Newmar Kountry Star. Cummins ISB 24 valve
2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 toad on a double axle car hauling trailer
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05-01-2018, 05:38 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,429
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Your brake buddy didn't need a controller. If memory serves me correctly the brake buddy gets a radio wave signal from a transmitter in the coach
__________________
[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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