Im getting everything together to wire my trailer but im a little confused! My truck 99 tahoe has two harnesses from factory 1-5 wire which i know is the basics plus reverse lights and 1-7 wire which I have no idea how to hook up to a plug what are the extra 2 wires for? Then my trailer 5x12 tandem axle both axels have electric brakes has no existing wiring im going to run all new. So my question is can someone tell me how to hook it all together or if its to involved is there a book i could get to show me how? I do not know which kind of plug to use either? Any help is appreciated!!!!
The seven way round blade RV style plugs are the most common used for trailers with electric brakes. The five way flat is used mainly for boat trailers where the reverse circuit disables the hydraulic brakes so you can back up. The 7 way includes the following: Left turn/brake Right turn/brake Tail/running lights Electric brake circuit Reverse lights Charge circuit for brakeaway battery Ground Not sure if this answered your question.
Thank you it kinda answers my question but I have a couple more! The electric brakes have two wires coming from them is a certain 1 ground and the other is positive or it doesnt matter? Do they all get wired together and then to a brake controller? Do you need a breakaway setup?
no... but why not have the added feature that could some day save a life... or 10... for a mear 100 dollars or less.... Grant
just take one wire form each brake and run that to ground. Then take the other and run all those to a common brake circuit wire. This wire will get power from the brake controller in the tow vehicle. it doesn't matter which wire gets the positive and ground, as long as each wheel gets one of each. As for the brakeaway setup, i know here in NY it is required by law. They are only about $40 so to me it isn't even an option to go without one, they are a must in my book!
As above shouldn't matter which wire you use for ground and which for power @ the brakes. All it is is a magnet which when energized forces the shoes out. Basic explaination. waytogo Breakaway is good, maybe sure to run one with a charger and battery though. I have seen where other people don't have the charger and the battery is dead, find out when the DOT checks the system then gives a ticket.
this might help. Go to the second part where it says to "start from scratch" http://www.etrailer.com/faq/cbc.asp Here is another...scroll down to post #78 and #88 http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142024&page=4
Many states require the trailer brakes and breakaway devices if the trailer weight/capacity exceeds a certain limit. Check your DOT information on trailer regulations to determine your needs.
