|
01-17-2019, 02:52 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 1
|
Do I need an electric brake controller for truck??
I just bought a R-Pod 180, that I will pull with my 2012 Chevy Silverado, and am wondering if I need to install an "electric brake" on my truck. The person that we bought the camper from had an electric brake installed on his tow vehicle. I have never pulled a camper before, and am hoping to get some good advice. Thanks in advance for any response.
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 02:54 PM
|
#2
|
Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,888
|
I believe you do. The connector will be a 7-pin connection and your state will likely require it for something the size of the 180.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 02:58 PM
|
#3
|
Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,888
|
To answer your "thanks" message - it wasn't a DIY job for me, but I'm not a "car-guy". I'm the guy who still has to think, "righty tighty, lefty loosey" when I pickup a screw driver. I think having one installed on my Durango was only about $300 and that included the Prodigy brake controller.
You might have a different level of proficiency.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 02:59 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 140
|
If camper has brakes than yes you need to install a brake controller on your truck
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 03:14 PM
|
#5
|
Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
|
In PA, any trailer over 3000 # needs trailer brakes and a way to make them work.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 07:36 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Near Bowling Green
Posts: 455
|
Depending on the model of your truck, you may be able to find a Plug in brake controller. When I had my trailblazer, I had to slice into the correct wires for the brake controller, for my 2014 Silverado there was a module I was able to plug into (had a Prodigy P3 controller on both). Both had a 7 pin adapter in back already.
__________________
2019 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WFKSV
2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD DRW High Country
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 08:01 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: North Judson Indiana
Posts: 79
|
I have a P3 brake controller with the plug in wiring harness for a GM truck I will sell. Drop me a PM if you wish.
__________________
USAF Retired
2019 Flagstaff 26RBWS
2018 GMC 3500 SLE
|
|
|
01-17-2019, 08:01 PM
|
#8
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
|
If the trailer has electric brakes, you need a controller. Don't skimp get a good one. Most of the good ones come with or have available a cable that will connect to the wiring in your TV without any cutting. Check your TV users manual it should identify the wiring color and location.
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 01:51 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
|
Anything over 2000lbs I would want brakes, and many have brakes because some states have laws requiring trailer have brakes and you have a way to make them work. If your trailer has brakes decent add on electric brake controllers can be had cheap and labor to install isn't that much but worth it to have a professional install them. Some vehicles have the pre-wiring to the trailer connecter already there, you just hook up the control unit, while some are prewired but you have to wire on a pigtail connector for your type of controller.
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 03:42 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 606
|
Many years ago, when I was an ignorant newbie, I had a truck camper and a VW bug I was gonna tow with the rig. I had a tow bar made by a local welder and actually figured out how to connect the wires so the bug had lights. I didn't give a thought to brakes. Until we were driving down a straight mountain road in Wyoming, and I tried to slow down. I don't know what my VW weighed, but what ever it was it was enough to make the truck brakes useless. The was a cross road at the bottom of the mountain with a traffic light. All I could do was lay on the horn and flash my lights. Fortunately there was no cross traffic when I blew through the red light. I then looked for a rest room. I also never towed anything heavier than a log splitter without trailer brakes and of course, a controller.
__________________
DrLewie
Flemington, NJ
Former: 2007 Cardinal 30W LE
Now:2018 Arctic Fox 27-5L
2008 Ford F-250 Long Bed Diesel
Total of 30 Months on the Road Since 2008
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 03:43 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: La Mirada, CA
Posts: 528
|
In California you need trailer brakes for all trailers of 1,500 lbs or higher. Today’s controllers are plug and play, takes 20 minutes and it doesn’t have to be mounted.
__________________
Gary and Donna
2005 Cardinal 33TS-LX
Trail Air pin box
Center Point suspension
2018 Ram Laramie 3500 6'4" box 2WD
Demco AutoSlide 18k
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 04:00 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 209
|
I also have a nearly new P3 controller that I am planning to sell. I bought a new truck and no longer need the controller. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk.
__________________
2019 Freedom UltraLight 192RBS
2021 Sierra 3500HD Duramax
Anderson WD Hitch
TST 507 TPMS
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 04:09 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Euless, Texas
Posts: 117
|
For sale
Quote:
Originally Posted by ImTravis
Depending on the model of your truck, you may be able to find a Plug in brake controller. When I had my trailblazer, I had to slice into the correct wires for the brake controller, for my 2014 Silverado there was a module I was able to plug into (had a Prodigy P3 controller on both). Both had a 7 pin adapter in back already.
|
I have one I’ll sell you that plugs into the electrical Block under the steering wheel. Used once! Upgraded my Truck. $60 and it’s yours!
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 04:35 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 88
|
I installed the Prodigy p3 on my 2005 Nissan Titan and it was very easy because it was also a plug and play unit. The most time consuming part was routing the wiring from the cab back to the plug at my 7 pin connector. This task was made much simpler with the ample how to videos on etrailer.com for the Prodigy. If you pose a how to question to them, I’m sure they will respond back to you with a link to a how to video for your particular truck. We had a great experience with the Prodigy P3 towing our 4800 lb travel trailer. Good luck - Rick
__________________
2019 Chevy 3500 LTZ 4x4 DRW// Factory Gooseneck Prep// Andersen Ultimate Hitch
2018 Classic Super Lite 8528RKWS
2015 F250 6.2l Lariat 4x4 3.73's (Sold)
2016 Micro Lite 25DKS (sold)
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 04:39 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,023
|
If you're thinkig of installing it yourself (i did), ETrailer. com has videos on installation for most trucks.
The level of difficulty depends on your trucks towing option package.
|
|
|
01-18-2019, 04:48 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MN
Posts: 1,310
|
some are easier to install than others, check out the youtube videos and try and find your truck. I had the dealer install ours in our Durango when we bought our first TT in Oct2017, but would probably try the next one as long as it's plug and play.
edit: or what they said above, same theory
__________________
Mitch in MN
2018 Patriot (Grey Wolf) 23MK travel trailer
2011 Durango 5.7L and OEM tow package
|
|
|
01-19-2019, 08:20 PM
|
#17
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
|
Do I need A brake Controller ?
I agree with all the posts about needing to use the brakes on your trailer. Your truck definitely will not able to stop safely with the trailer behind you. Also, your Silverado should already have a factory installed controller if it has the trailer package installed. Consult your truck manual or visit a GM dealer. I am sure they would be glad to help you identify whether or not you have a controller already. No need to add on what you already have.
|
|
|
01-19-2019, 10:46 PM
|
#18
|
Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
|
The wires for a add-on brake controller in the Silverado is bundled and attached under the dash by the steering column. It may or may not have a plug attached. I'm pretty sure the factory installed brake controller came later than 2012. If you have one it will be on the dash and look like the attached picture. The 2 "buttons" at the top is the manual slider, the +/- is for gain adjustment. The amount of gain will be displayed on the DIC.
__________________
Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
|
|
|
01-19-2019, 11:00 PM
|
#19
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Loveland, Co
Posts: 80
|
Does your truck have the 7 pin Connector already? Many do and if it does buy the P3 that is being offered and get the wiring kit and you can have it ready to go in less than an hour. As everyone else has said, you darn sure need it.
__________________
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi
2017 Flagstaff 21ds
|
|
|
01-21-2019, 06:12 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,144
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcoman60
I just bought a R-Pod 180, that I will pull with my 2012 Chevy Silverado, and am wondering if I need to install an "electric brake" on my truck. The person that we bought the camper from had an electric brake installed on his tow vehicle. I have never pulled a camper before, and am hoping to get some good advice. Thanks in advance for any response.
|
HELL YES. Just like the wise guys who think they can get by without a WDH and sway bar of some sort, the Electric Brakes may only matter with your big truck when you have to replace truck brakes prematurely because the trailer pushes you to every stop, and GOD FORBID, when you get in the "IT CAN NEVER HAPPEN TO ME" moment when the trailer starts oscillating behind you and then flips over. That is the Emergency moment that we all HOPE can't happen to us, but DOES happen to someone somewhere EVERYDAY. Some Trailer brakes might be the difference of flipping over, jack knifing or coming back in to control.
__________________
Tom48
In Sunny So Cal /w
Now in 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador DP and The Hot Air Balloon RESTLESS
NO MORE Tricked out
2017 Sandstorm 250 T.H.
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|