Wiring for lights

[Dairy Farmer]

right now on one of my trucks, i just have the 4 way flat plug. what all do i need to add the round plug and also wire a brake controler in at the same time? it a 91' 2500 Chevy if it helps
DF in WI

 

[Jim in Ma.]

I got a controller for in the cab and a plug in unit that went in the harness at the back of the truck. Just follow the directions that come with it and it was pretty easy to do. I think I got it at Napa. You need to tell them what type of truck it's for.
Good luck. Jim

 

[Greasey Hand]

The comtroler in the cab, Are there differen"t ones for more axels or bigger brakes?

 

[Jim in Ma.]

I'm not sure but I can tell you I have pulled several trailers and not had a problem ,as long as they are wired correctly. I have pulled 1-2 and 3 axels

 

[kossuth]

See if your truck has a factory tow package with it. If it does then you already have the wires going to the back. If you stop by a local RV place they will tell you if you do or don't have it or where you can look for the accessory plug. If your truck does not have the factory tow package then I'd recommend going with the 7 way plug that is used on alot of campers and such. To wire in a brake controller on a truck that doesn't have a factory tow package isn't super hard just takes some wire, reading the directions, and some patience.

 

[kossuth]

I also forgot to add this. As far as the brake controller goes, how much are you going to be towing with this truck? That would dictate just how much I would spend on a brake controller. You can get em starting at about $50. Just about all of the controllers out there will do 2 brake (2 axle) setups. It's when you step up to 6 and 8 brake systems that you go up. You can get $200 into a controller depending on what you want and how fancy you get but it's up to you just how crazy you wanna get with it.

 

[Greasey Hand]

Found out that the controler has diff things to it. Some are for 2 to 4 brakes & up. 1 axel has 2 brakes. 2 ax 4 brakes & so on.
then there is diff amps rating, the more brakes the more amps.
I got a controler for 8 brakes & 30A It was the largest they had, I figured this way it should cover any thing I want to pull.
I would like to know what hight the pintel hook should be on the truck? The trailer is 31' long 2 axels with duals & deck over wheels.
Its rated at 20000# 10 Ton.

 

[Greasey Hand]

I have a trailer book where I can get parts at a good price, If you guys need things & tell me I will give you a price. The controler I got will work up to 8 brakes thats 4 axels & its 30 Amps.
It is $115. That is not a bad price.
It should be here today.
My truck is a 82 GMC semi W/22.5 tires a 5 speed trans 2 speed rear end & a 8.2 V-8 Detroit.
The trailer is in IL. I just bought it 2 week ago.
Have to get a hitch on it & wired up.
Then go get it, I have to go from N Chicago to Ft. Dodge Iowa empty then get a 1 ton truck & go to MN. Some one said there is lots of snow in those areas.

 

[Greasey Hand]

As far as the hook up the older trucks dont have a (Just plug in to the wireing harnes)On this one you go under the hood on the left side & there is a cluster @@@@ wire termanules & you wire into them, You find the ones you want to use for the color of wire you like.
There are certin color wires that go for certin things, Not by guess buy golly.

 

[Greasey Hand]

You will have to get the controler, you get one for number of brakes you have on the trailer, 2 brakes to the axel. Get The plug you want & you should be able to get a conector for the tail, brake & blinkers To plug into your wires under the rear of your truck.
There is a wire diagram that comes with the controler & there is kits for the wiring from the controler to the truck plug in.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You can go to just about any store and buy the 7-pin truckside plug. You would just use the existing wires from your 4-pin connector, and add a wire from the brake controller to the corresponding lug on the truckside plug. You would of course have to wire the controller into your truck as well.

 

[kossuth]

(quoted from post at 14:41:07 02/25/08) You can go to just about any store and buy the 7-pin truckside plug. You would just use the existing wires from your 4-pin connector, and add a wire from the brake controller to the corresponding lug on the truckside plug. You would of course have to wire the controller into your truck as well.

rue, but some trailers need a 12 VDC feed from the truck battery via the 7 way plug. There is also a reverse lights pin on a 7 way as well, but that obviously isn't super important unless your trailer has em. I know the law in some states is that if the trailer has the lights they must work IE if they put the truck in reverse the reverse lights on the trailer if equipped must come on. Food for thought.