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Trailer brake question

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:15 am
by Capt. Bondo
This years spring commissioning budget is targeted at getting my trailer road worthy to haul H:)ppy Place to all the cool places I want to sail.
I have never had electric brake before, and the PO had installed a flat 5 prong plug on the trailer.
As I add the brake controler and the extra wire to my E150 I wondering if I should have a heaver type of connection between the van and the trailer.
From what I have been reading the flat 5 prong is recomended for trailers with hydraulic surge brakes and the 5th wire is for electric over ride for reverse.

What do you folks that have electric brakes have for your trailer connection, and your thoughts about your setup?

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:41 pm
by trev
I have the big round 7 pin connector. With electric brakes you need another wire to charge the battery on the break away system.

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:43 am
by Capt. Bondo
Good point Trev.
My son mentioned that to me a while back also, but I listen to him as well as he listens to me :shock: bah, bah bah

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 4:57 am
by Jmckamey
All travel trailers and others with elect. brakes use a seven pin connector. With that connector you could run a hot wire from the battery and charge the boat batteries while towing too.

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:14 am
by mcrandall
Good idea about the charge line! Anybody ever done it?

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:22 pm
by lecker68
When I had the Newport I had a 6 pin connector and had a 12V lie going to boat battery so it was charged when I launched. I was trailering all the time.

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:53 pm
by mcrandall
Too Cool!

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:54 pm
by Paul
Lecker, explain a 12V lie. Is that when you tell it it's 12V when it's really only 6?

Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 7:14 am
by lecker68
OOPs missed the N in line so so sorry.

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 7:31 am
by tgentry
Hey, Capt Bondo,
We tow our C-26 with a E-150 as well. 5.4 and towing package. It's done a great job for us so far.

I use the 7 pin round connector. Since the batteries on the boat charge via solar panel I didn't worry about that extra line. Do be sure you have a breakaway box, and run sufficient size line (10g min) for your brakes.

Cheers,
Tom

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 11:46 am
by Beady
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

This link shows how to wire different plugs on the 7 pin plug the white wire is a constant 12v line to power the break away or to power the 12 volt fridge when towing. I had to install a break controller on my Explorer to pull the camping trailer.

brian

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 11:49 am
by Beady
Guys I think I posted white wire as 12 volt pos. Should be pin 4 black wire.

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 4:39 pm
by astrorad
ok, here is the question...you have a breakaway switch...now you need a battery to operate it if the trailer and tow vehicle separate while in motion.

On my 5th wheel travel trailer it is the house batteries that do that...are the boat batteries/battery hooked up to operate the electric brakes when the breakaway switch engages??

Something better be hooked to that switch or else your trailer and boat may just pass you up as you hit the brakes.

Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 5:29 pm
by trev
My camper also has the break away wired to the house bank but for a boat trailer most would go with a small battery on the tongue instead of messing with any wiring coming out of the boat.

I put this one on my C22 trailer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TAP-Enga ... ccessories

Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 9:46 am
by astrorad
Trev....that looks like a good solution...thanks for the info.

Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:24 pm
by lecker68
I have surge brakes and the break away is a cable and lever that releases a spring and when spring is released it will lock up the brakes. I tried it out and almost could not believe how fast it stops.