Electric Brake Controller Installation 2016 Sprinter Chassis

ShermanD · 03-01-2016, 07:21 AM

We have a 2016 Sunseeker MBS 2400W on order with a delivery date of May 1. When we travel we will be hauling our motorcycles in an enclosed trailer which has electric brakes.

The reason for writing is because I have come to realize that although the 2016 MBS chassis comes with an installed hitch receiver and a 7 pin trailer electric connector it does not come with an integrated trailer brake controller and I am not even sure if it has the brake controller wiring harness installed so that the wiring can be accessed in the cab area.

Have you by chance had a trailer brake controller installed or looked to see if the wiring harness for it is in the cab area.

If you had the controller installed could you give me an idea of what they charged you to do the installation

I am trying to find out which is the best way to accomplish the brake controller installation. Do it myself or pay a professional.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Sherman

Total Loss · 03-01-2016, 10:08 AM

My bud tried to install one in his MBS.
Blew up the ABS controller unit- $1800.
That was doing it with a trained mechanic but not trained with Mercedes.
Be careful with these.
Have a MBS specialist put it in is my opinion.

That being said- I think you have to connect it to the box lamps- or analog side of the system. Mercedes has a digital to analog convertor for the box lamps and misc.I have been told.
Don't try to connect it to the brake switch under the dash.

ShermanD · 03-01-2016, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Total Loss

My bud tried to install one in his MBS.
Blew up the ABS controller unit- $1800.
That was doing it with a trained mechanic but not trained with Mercedes.
Be careful with these.
Have a MBS specialist put it in is my opinion.

That being said- I think you have to connect it to the box lamps- or analog side of the system. Mercedes has a digital to analog convertor for the box lamps and misc.I have been told.
Don't try to connect it to the brake switch under the dash.

Thanks for your response on what happened to a friend of yours years ago. (I read your post).

The question I asked is whether someone with a 2015 or newer MBS Sprinter chassis motor home has had a brake controller either installed by a professional or by themselves.
I am trying to find out whether or not the brake wiring harness is factory installed on the 2016 MBS Sprinter chassis when the FACTORY HITCH and 7-PIN CONNECTOR is installed.

I have read that in 2015 the MBS did not have the wiring harness located in the cab area.

Now do you by chance have a 2015 or 2016 MB Sprinter chassis motor home that you can check to see if it is there.

I also asked if anyone with a 2015 or 2016 MB Sprinter chassis motor home had a dealer install a brake controller and what it cost.

These are ISSUES that it would be nice to find out so that I can make a knowledgeable decision on how to handle the installation of the brake controller.

Knowledge is golden, Ignorance is expensive

Sherman

nusslejj · 03-01-2016, 01:08 PM

You might consider a 'wireless' brake controller. They are maybe $100 more than a good wired controller, but no hassles, and they work. I had one made by Prodigy a couple years ago on my TT and it worked great. You could change-out your tow vehicle and not have to do any wiring.

Total Loss · 03-01-2016, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nusslejj

You might consider a 'wireless' brake controller. They are maybe $100 more than a good wired controller, but no hassles, and they work. I had one made by Prodigy a couple years ago on my TT and it worked great. You could change-out your tow vehicle and not have to do any wiring.

X2.

bob dirt · 03-01-2016, 07:07 PM

I just pulled my front seat out and can not locate the "green" connector. I have to assume there is no wiring on my rig. There are wires on the socket in back and a big loom heads up towards the front. Don't know yet where they end up...

Pod2Vibe · 03-02-2016, 12:49 PM

X3 on the Prodigy RF, I use it in multiple vehicles and it works flawlessly in the Solera MBS.

Prism 24G · 03-02-2016, 01:02 PM

On 7pin connector you have one free hot connector, that will be enough to
supply brake controller

ShermanD · 03-02-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pod2Vibe

X3 on the Prodigy RF, I use it in multiple vehicles and it works flawlessly in the Solera MBS.

Thanks for the response and the suggestion but I not a believer in drive by wire anything. If it works on a radio frequency, IT CAN BE HACKED.

BTW any new American tow vehicle that comes factory equipped with the towing package already has an integrated brake controller already installed so the need for a unit that can be used between vehicles is a thing of the past.

I have already talked to my local trailer guy and they will install the controller if I want them to. Worst case scenerio if they have to run wiring from the 7 pin connector to the front of the vehicle is $300 complete,

It would be nice to know what others have paid to have a brake controller installed in a 2015 - 2016 MB Sprinter chassis motorhome, whether the wiring for the controller has been run to cab area, and where it is located.

Pod2Vibe · 03-02-2016, 01:54 PM

Base Sprinter cutaways do not come with a tow package.

We were just passing along the best way to accomplish adding a brake controller in an MBS, per your request.

Maybe you don't understand the device. Once the handheld is paired to the controller, it is locked. Never know though, a hacker could be tailgating you and somehow know you have a Prodigy RF. They could then force you to stop and put it in pairing mode, which is a three step process that includes powering the unit down and holding down the brake pedal, etc..

FWIW, in addition to the buddy of Total Loss, google how many people have damaged their German vehicles electronics by having someone cut into their wires for a brake controller. Would hate to see you lose the use of your brand new rig, once you receive it.

Total Loss · 03-02-2016, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShermanD

I have already talked to my local trailer guy and they will install the controller if I want them to. Worst case scenerio if they have to run wiring from the 7 pin connector to the front of the vehicle is $300 complete,

Probably could be done simply.
Just do not tap into the can-bus system for the brake, positive and negative.
2 wires should run from the rear- one connected to the brake tab on your 7 pin, one connected to the taillamp brake wire on the ANALOG side (tap into the brake wire on one of the taillamps).
Those 2 wires should run up to the controller.
12 volt and negative should be connected from the controller directly to the battery.

This is how I would do it after discussions with my Mercedes guru.
If you want to power down- pull the plug from the backside of the controller when sitting.

This keeps the system off the digital can-bus wiring system.
$300 seems a little steep.
Make sure he knows Mercs .

ShermanD · 03-02-2016, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pod2Vibe

Base Sprinter cutaways do not come with a tow package.

We were just passing along the best way to accomplish adding a brake controller in an MBS, per your request.

Maybe you don't understand the device. Once the handheld is paired to the controller, it is locked. Never know though, a hacker could be tailgating you and somehow know you have a Prodigy RF. They could then force you to stop and put it in pairing mode, which is a three step process that includes powering the unit down and holding down the brake pedal, etc..

FWIW, in addition to the buddy of Total Loss, google how many people have damaged their German vehicles electronics by having someone cut into their wires for a brake controller. Would hate to see you lose the use of your brand new rig, once you receive it.

I appreciate your concern and I will take it into consideration.

NOW can we PLEASE KEEP THIS TOPIC ON SUBJECT

instead of telling not to do this or that, IF YOU DON'T have the INFORMATION I SEEK,, please REFRAIN FROM CLUTTERING UP THIS THREAD just to KEEP REHASHING THINGS PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SAID.

THE ORIGINAL QUESTION WAS

does anyone have either a 2015 oe 2016 MB Sprinter chassis motorhome
AND
have they HAD A BRAKE CONTROLLER INSTALLED IN IT.
if so
WHAT DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE
I you did it yourself
IS THERE A BRAKE CONTROLLER HARNESS RUN TO THE CAB AREA
and
WHERE IS IT LOCATED

now fellow forum users.

CAN YOU COMPREHEND THE QUESTIONS I HAVE JUST ASKED
if so
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CHANGING THE SUBJECT
for
OTHERS MAY BE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT
if THERE IS A HARNESS
and
WHERE IT IS LOCATED

tande · 03-02-2016, 05:45 PM

WoW! .....no good deed goes unpunished......all GOOD info.

Goalieken · 03-02-2016, 06:17 PM

I got the Prodigy RF on my Mercedes GL Bluetec. It works great without having to tap into the mercedes wiring harness and also my dash.

Pod2Vibe · 03-02-2016, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShermanD

I appreciate your concern and I will take it into consideration.

NOW can we PLEASE KEEP THIS TOPIC ON SUBJECT

instead of telling not to do this or that, IF YOU DON'T have the INFORMATION I SEEK,, please REFRAIN FROM CLUTTERING UP THIS THREAD just to KEEP REHASHING THINGS PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SAID.

THE ORIGINAL QUESTION WAS

does anyone have either a 2015 oe 2016 MB Sprinter chassis motorhome
AND
have they HAD A BRAKE CONTROLLER INSTALLED IN IT.
if so
WHAT DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE
I you did it yourself
IS THERE A BRAKE CONTROLLER HARNESS RUN TO THE CAB AREA
and
WHERE IS IT LOCATED

now fellow forum users.

CAN YOU COMPREHEND THE QUESTIONS I HAVE JUST ASKED
if so
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CHANGING THE SUBJECT
for
OTHERS MAY BE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT
if THERE IS A HARNESS
and
WHERE IT IS LOCATED

Hey Newbie, All Caps is not necessary and no one was off topic. No one was telling you what to do, either. Just passing along good info for all.

Btw, you may want to check the community rules about All Caps in the Posting standards section, as it is very frowned upon.

Fyi, Fellow MBS owners are here to help. Since you don't have your MBS yet, might not be a good idea to turn off members that do. Just sayin'

Cheers,

namusmc · 03-02-2016, 06:57 PM

ShermanD
No one on this forum has any information that is helpful or acceptable to you. Contact your local dealer and they will provide you with the level of service you deserve.

Total Loss · 03-02-2016, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namusmc

ShermanD
No one on this forum has any information that is helpful or acceptable to you. Contact your local dealer and they will provide you with the level of service you deserve.

Bet they can't wait for Sherman...at 165/hr.
My bud was quoted $500 install from the stealer....bargain.

Pod2Vibe · 03-02-2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Total Loss

Bet they can't wait for Sherman...at 165/hr.
My bud was quoted $500 install from the stealer....bargain.

No doubt.

See that is the thing about the Prodigy RF "Brake Controller", You install it yourself for $0 and yes it works great with the MBS in addition to my Audi Q5 TDI. (or any other vehicle that you need to use to tow said trailer)

Criteria met:

Brake Controller Installed in 2015 MBS - Check

Install Cost - $0 - Check (DIY, no dealer needed, mount controller box on trailer with included hardware, plug in and pair with handheld remote, done)

Remote can mount on dash of 2015 MBS (or any other year) but is also totally mobile - Check

Bonus round:

Best purchase ever - Check

ShermanD · 03-02-2016, 10:12 PM

I guess I am just wasting my time on this site.. hope your happy, you chased another one away.

Total Loss · 03-02-2016, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShermanD

I guess I am just wasting my time on this site.. hope your happy, you chased another one away.

BTW...My buds Mbs is a 2015.
I was trying to give you advice on the Merc can bus digital systems which do not function like a typical Ford or Chevy and can cost you dearly if you do not understand them.
I happen to know the mechanic that screwed up my friends rig-he is no schlub. Just not familiar with the merc system.

Folks were trying to help you. You seem to have the attitude.
Good luck with your endeavors.
Sorry I wasted my time.

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