Wednesday, December 4, 2013
How to Hook Up Electric Brakes
Electric brakes are the most common type of brakes found on small trailers that can be pulled with a passenger vehicle. This includes horse, utility and travel trailers. While regulations vary between jurisdictions, it is common for electric brakes to be required on trailers that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or more. Check with your local transportation department for regulations before pulling a trailer that does not have electric brakes installed.
Instructions
- 1
Install a brake controller in the tow vehicle if there is not one already installed. Without this, the electric brakes on the trailer will not function. Many newer vehicles that are capable of towing a trailer will have a wiring harness for a brake controller already installed underneath the dash, below the steering column. Mount the brake controller to the underside of the dash and hook up wires according to the controllers instructions.
2Fit the brake controllers wiring with a circuit breaker and run the brake controllers wires to the rear of the vehicle. If there is a factory towing wiring harness installed, this step can be skipped.
3Mount a 7-way RV blade at the rear of the tow vehicle and connect it to the wiring that you ran from the brake controller. A 7-way RV Blade will be the most versatile plug in style and allow you to connect to trailers with various style electrical systems.
4Check to see what type of electrical connector your trailer is wired with. Common prong types include 7-way, 6-way, 5-way and 4-way, each of which may come shaped uniquely, depending on the manufacturer. If the vehicle receptacle does not match the trailers plug-in, you will need to purchase an adapter.
5Plug the trailers electrical connector in the the vehicles receptacle using an adapter if needed. Start the tow vehicle and depress the brake pedal. Have an assistant observe the trailers brake lights and ensure that they are functioning before using the trailer.
