Just bought a trailer w/ Electronic brakes

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 7, 2005

I just bought a 4 place snowmobile trailer w/ brakes, what do I need to do to the Tahoe to make them operable?

I realize I need a brake controller, any suggestions on what to look for in these? How to wire them? etc..

I'm new to e-brake world..

THanks!

Mike

BADGERMAN · November 7, 2005

I bought and installed a Prodigy Tekonsha digital brake controller.

When I purchased it, I also paid a liitle extra and got the pigtail connector that plugs into the controller and then the other end plugs directly into the panel under my dash.

It was simple and only took about 20 minutes to install.

I mounted mine right above the gas pedal.

It has pretty good instructions on how to set it up, and it is simple.

I paid around $125 and I am very pleased with it.

I also like it because it can be adjusted pretty easy for different size trailers.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Chris

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 7, 2005

where did you pick it up? same with that harness? thanks!

BADGERMAN · November 7, 2005

Well for the life of me I can't remember, but I know that I searched online and that's how I found the best price. I seam to think I purchased it somewhere in texas for a camper supply store.

But the pigtail is also made by Prodigy, so wherever you go you should bea able to get the cable aslo.

Your best bet would be to go to a local camper supply or camper dealership and they will have what you need.

99-2door · November 7, 2005

If your Tahoe doesn't have the factory tow package you will have to run a wire back to the trailer plug for the brakes.

If it did you will be good to go.

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 7, 2005

If your Tahoe doesn't have the factory tow package you will have to run a wire back to the trailer plug for the brakes.

If it did you will be good to go.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well it does have a hitch and the 7-pin plug from factory, I also have that extra harness which plugs in under the dash I guess? (this is the pigtale badgerman is talking about I assume...or well his would replace this one rather... correct?)

Shaners · November 7, 2005

I'm also running the Tekonsha Prodigy and bought the quick install adapter. I bought mine on Ebay, The price was great, and it actually turned out to be an RVSupply place out in the Midwest that I bought it from!

The pigtail that you have has a modular plug on one end and loose wires on the other. The modular plug goes in the electrical connector box behind the E-brake. It fits in the spot on the top row, second from the left. The loose wires will then have to be spliced into the wires on an brake controller.

If you buy the controller that both I and BADGERMAN have, the optional connecter has modular plugs on both ends. One goes to the connector box, and the other goes to the brake controller. Click, Click, and it's hooked up!!

Also you may need to install a Maxi-Fuse in the fuse-block under the hood.

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 7, 2005

I'm also running the Tekonsha Prodigy and bought the quick install adapter. I bought mine on Ebay, The price was great, and it actually turned out to be an RVSupply place out in the Midwest that I bought it from!

The pigtail that you have has a modular plug on one end and loose wires on the other. The modular plug goes in the electrical connector box behind the E-brake. It fits in the spot on the top row, second from the left. The loose wires will then have to be spliced into the wires on an brake controller.

If you buy the controller that both I and BADGERMAN have, the optional connecter has modular plugs on both ends. One goes to the connector box, and the other goes to the brake controller. Click, Click, and it's hooked up!!

Also you may need to install a Maxi-Fuse in the fuse-block under the hood.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great! Yep, I see the pigtale you 2 are talking about...makes for anice clean install!

Did you then leave the system under the dash or where didja mount it!?

Whats the real difference between these things? Some for over 100 some for 29..

?

Shaners · November 7, 2005

I mounted mine at the bottom of the dash over the gas pedal area. There is a screw there that bolts the two dash panels together. That is the only screw that is holding my bracket, because I didn't feel like drilling. This setup worked great for 4 years in my old truck.

The Prodigy has brake boost, it has adjustable voltage and is self leveling, along with a bunch of other features. I'm sure I paid less than $100 for mine including shipping.

Shaners · November 8, 2005

I bought my Prodigy from an Ebay seller with the name "clearance-seller". I see he has one on Ebay right now for $76.00 including shipping. Like I said before, he is an RV parts place. He was e-z to deal with and shipped fast.

I bought my adapter wire (so I didn't have to splice) from seller named "bsaohio". This is a truck accessory place in OH. I think I paid $18-$19 shipped.

With this combo you would have an excellent setup for less than $100.00

willieboy · November 8, 2005

Difference between controllers comes down to activating electronics...

The cheap units use a time delay circuit. After you hit the brake and stay on it a certain amount of time (measure is millisec to seconds) the brake controller sends full power to the trailer brakes. Braking is very jerky, and may result in wheel lockup on the trailer.

The Prodigy use an accelerometer. Basically it measures how fast the vehcile is slowing down, and adds the reqiured amoutn of braking appropriate for the situation, and does it from the time you hit the brakes. There are a few other "inertia" based systems, but with the prodigy it is set it and forget it. You do not have to readjust it everytime you hook up the trailer. You adjust it for the trailer you are pulling and that is it. This makes for very smooth braking.

Finally there is the mechanical systems (Jordon Ultima 2020). These use a cable attached to your brake pedal to measure pedal effort and therefore output braking effort. Also very smooth and a set it and forget it setup. However, this is an expensive controller for what it is, and will be vehicle specific since once it is installed, it is sort of custom to your vehicle (cable length, etc...).

It seems the one that people are consistently happy with is the Prodigy. Spend the extra 9.49 and get the vehicle specific harness and it is super easy to install. I think the cheapest places a few months ago were RVwholesalers or Rjays. Search online real quick and you will find them.

There is one other option, but I do not know anyone using it. It is also an inertia setup, and goes on the trailer instead of the tow vehicle. It will mena you have to have a battery on the trailer, but it also means that any vehcile that can keep that battery charged can tow your trailer (aka your buddy's truck, etc...). http://www.carlislebrake.com/electrastar.pdf

This is a fairly new system, and I do not know anybody using it. But it only requires a 4 wire hookup to us, so really any vehicle capable of towing should be able to tow your trailer if you use this setup.

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 8, 2005

Thanks for the great info!!

I am used to surge breaks, is there an andvantage of one over the other?

Yukon04 · November 8, 2005

Taaaaaahoe - I'd recommend mounting the controller somewhere accessible with a quick reach. The slide brake switch is a feature which could save you. If the trailer gets "squirrelly" (and inevitable will at some point), the slide brake can help you. Apply the gas and a full dose of trailer brake can square things up quickly. I can tell you as a fellow snowmobiler, this feature has saved the "rig" from disaster on one occasion and assisted in countless situations on the trip "up north" to the U.P. here in Michigan.

I mounted mine just under the A-pillar on the dash vie some adhesive backed velcro. More of a temporary mount for me since I only use the trailer brake in the winter for the sno-machine trailers. Quick access with the left hand. I used the factory harness and made my own quick-connect. I also had to install the 50A fuse in the #1 slot in the UHBEC. Good luck and have fun "sleddin"!!