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cassiesam · 04-13-2018, 02:53 PM

I need to install a electric brake controller under the dash of my 2013 Tiffin Open Road.
Can anyone tell me if the wiring connection/plug is under the dash and if it is where it is and what it looks like.
There is a blue wire in the seven-pin plug for electric brakes.
I am going to tow a dolly with electric brakes.
Thanks

dabrooks · 04-13-2018, 06:57 PM

We have a 2013 35 QBA on the F53 chassis. There is a connector on the left side of the steering wheel under the dash that has 4 wires. It has a hot, ground, brake signal, and a heavy blue wire thad runs to the 7 pin connector on the rear of the coach. It is about toe level on the steering column just on the left side. I am sure you will need to cut the connector off unless Ford sells a brake controller with the right connection end on it.

I should add that the connector is attached to the left side of the steering wheel housing and is not hidden or dangling loose.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 04-13-2018, 08:48 PM

cassiesam-

This Ford TSB Q-206 (Technical Service Bulletin) shows where to find the connector on the F-53 chassis. There is one location for model years 1999-2011, and another location for model years 2012 and later.

A Ford-provided connector under the dash has six pin positions and up to five wires in it:

Pin 1: Blue wire - brake controller output to hitch connector
Pin 2: Green wire - brake signal input to brake controller
Pin 3: Red wire - constant (not ignition-switched) 12V+, fused at 30A
Pin 4: White wire - ground
Pin 5: (optional) Brown wire - parking lamp (illumination)
Pin 6: Empty

Ford provides a pigtail to coach manufacturers that plugs into that connector. This means that you may see labeled wires under the dash (the ends of the pigtail wires), rather than the connector. Gently pull the labeled wires down from under the dash to bring the connector out into the open.

Once you have the connector and pigtail out where you can get to them, you have two choices for wiring up a brake controller quickly:

1) Wire the controller to the ends of the pigtail wires, or
2) Remove the pigtail and attach a pre-made adapter

This is a link to the correct adapter to connect a Tekonsha brake controller to the Ford connector.

There is no need to cut off the Ford connector, if you use the pigtail or the adapter above. With the adapter, it is truly plug-and-play.

If you have not already chosen a brake controller, the Tekonsha P3 is a popular choice.

dabrooks · 04-14-2018, 03:24 AM

Quote

"There is no need to cut off the Ford connector, if you use the pigtail or the adapter above. With the adapter, it is truly plug-and-play."

The link provided looks it does plug right in to the connector that I described in my answer to the question. On mine there are only 4 wires but 6 pins.