Hello,

I am new to this towing stuff. I have towed an enclosed trailer but not with brakes. I understand I have to get a brake controller and I will soon do that. I went to a local truck shop and they said I have all the hookups except some wire that I need to connect from my battery to the connection in the back.(they didnt look at my truck) I have the adapter that plugs in under the dash. I can hook that up to the brake controller and mount it myself but what is this other wire connection they are talking about. I think they said it was for charging the trailer power while hooked up to my truck. I am getting travel trialer soon so I want to have everything ready to tow with. If you know what they are talking about, can you clear it up for me? I would greatly appreciate it. thanks.
-Chris

 

I know on some Chevy's there is a wire bundled on the firewall that will send 12 volts to the trailer for a small amount of charging for your camper battery. this is totally optional. I thought Dodges already had this connected though. As far as the brake controller is concerned, spend the money and get a GOOD controller. Jordan sells a great unit as well as the Tekonsha prodigy. Alot of people use the less expensive controllers but I don't like them. You will be happier with a quality controller

chris

 

If your truck came with the trailer/tow package, you already have the 12V lead to the plug in. If you buy a high end controller you can get a wire bundle ready to hook up from the controller to your firewall. That's all there is to it.

I hooked up my Prodigy in less than five minutes...
Tom

 

Go with the Brake Smart unit, hands down the very finest brake controller available. I have been testing one for months, and I have come to the conclusion that I will shoot the man who tries to take it away from me

It really is that good!!!

 

If, for whatever reason, you can't swing the Brakesmart (which should be the best performing controller), I'd strongly recommend the Jordan Ultima 2020 as a runner-up. Its performance is head and shoulders above the time-based or inertial brake controllers I've used before.

Rusty

 

Ok, thanks for all the replies. Where do you buy these "high end" or "good controllers". I have only found the "cheapies" at Advanced Auto.

 

You can get the Jordan Ultima 2020 straight from Jordan Research. Alternately, run a Google search for "Jordan Ultima 2020 brake controller" and you'll find any number of sources.

Rusty

 

Check out the BrakeSmart here

I installed one last week and it works well. If I can do it anyone can.

jr

 

My Prodigy is now carried for a spare since I got the BrakeSmart, but I do it all day every day, and several trailers a month. That's what made the decision for me. The frequency and the variety of how often and what I tow.

Cheers,
Steve J