My truck has a factory 7-terminal trailer wire receptacle. I am going to be borrowing a friend's trailer this weekend that has breaks and a 6-way round plug. If I have the 7-way receptacle on my truck, does this mean that the trailer brakes will work with my truck (with an adapter, of course)?

Thanks!

 

you need the controller for the brakes to work.

see the thread below by rockpick.

 

You have to install a brake controler for trailer brakes to work,the controler tells the trailer brakes how much power they get to work with the load you have.All you will have are the lights and turns working with the trailer pulled in.

 

I hope his trailer has BRAKES and doesn't BREAK! You wouldn't happen to be related to Mattineer now would you?

 

Yes, your 7 pin has the brake pin (it's the one at ~ 5 o'clock position).

I suspect the 6 pin on the trailer is in the same position, but you will need an adapter to fit into your 7 pin that will then allow the 6 pin to plug into as you have already noted.

You will also need a brake controller that plugs into the plug under the dash. That's what actually controls the trailer brakes. Just having it wired is only half of the equation.

If this is just a one time thing, then get a cheapo controller. If you are only towing it a couple of miles, don't bother at all, but be VERY careful about braking!! Allow triple the space to stop and don't get caught!! (note, this is not endorsed by me, but only mentioned because it will take you a 'couple of miles' to get your 'cheapo' brake controller set anyway!!)

If you will be towing this, or any trailer in the future, then get a Prodigy brake controller and get the optional wire harness for the Ford ($10). It will simply plug in and all you have to do is mount the thing. A few simple setup adjustments, test it and adjust for your particular rig (follow the very simple instructions) and tow away!!

Mitch

 

I know that Tekonosha (sp?) now includes a DVD with their brake controllers that shows you how to set them up properly. It looks easy enough, and then I started to wonder how many people I've ridden with who didn't even know that they could adjust their brakes.

 

Mitch,

I am only using the trailer for some furniture so I'm not too worried about the brakes not working. I usually tow a 2,000 lb boat no problem with no trailer brakes, so I don't think this trailer will give me any trouble with a light load.

I do have the 7-to-6 adapter. If I just use the adapter and no brake controller, will the brakes on the trailer respond to my truck and function at all??

 

Nope.

 

Ditto..... Nope.....

Mitch

 

Wonder why a brake control isn't standard equipment on trucks with the towing package.....stupid ford.

 

Ford has just started producing the WORLD'S FIRST factory equipped brake controller. It's available on the F-250s and F-350s. You don't see that from Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, Mitzubishi(aka Dodge), or Honda now do you? Seems like a smart Ford to me.

 

Wow, a pure stroke of genius. Still doesn't change the fact that mine didn't come with it.

 

If you don't like it, then buy a Superduty. Ford (and every other 1/2 ton pickup manufacturer) never has and probably never will include a brake controller on a half ton because there isn't a need for it. Sure you need it, but what about the 12,000,000 soccer moms driving around in F-150s. They will probably never need a brake controller.

 

The "Tow Boss" option on the F250/350, which you must buy to get the integrated brake controller, is a lot more $$ then just being able to buy a $100.00 Prodigy off the shelf, plug it in and it's a done deal!

I don't know what the cost of that option is right off the top of my head, but it would not surprise me if it's around a grand or so...... Adding a grand to the cost of a vehicle just to be able to not have to add a $100 brake controller is not something I'd be bitching about! If you got that kind of money to toss around, then you should have gotten the F350 in the first place and then you could have had your built in brake controller wrapped around a $40,000 truck...... Geeze, my house only cost $100,000......

 

Actually Mitch, you can get the integrated brake controller WITHOUT the TowBoss Package. While building my dream truck (6spd PSD), I discovered that I didn't want the 4.30 gears that come with the TowBoss, or the automatic transmission. All of the other options are available, but the brake controller is still outrageous, like $400.