Trailer Wiring on a 2008 Dakota

[stevem]

we decided to go with a dakota rather than the gmc canyon, bigger heavier, more power, roomier etc etc

the dakota has a factory tow package(never used) and a 4 pin connector

obviously i need to add our brake controller and switch to a 7 pin

is there a connector under the dash for the BC and are wires lead to rear of the truck already?

a constant 12v to the trailer would be a bonus to maintain the tt battery

[lindy]

With the factory tow package all wiring to rear should be there with both a 4 and 7 pin plug (at least my 08 Dakota with factory tow package did). As for the brake controler, if no one had installed on before, go to the dealer and get the brake controller wiring harness. It's has a small plug that plugs into the trucks existing wiring harness and has the correct leads to wire a BC into it. Wire up the BC as directed and the Plug and Play.

[Dave_Monica]

I'd be suspicious that it's a factory tow package with no 7 pin plug at the hitch. You should check into a few other things. The tow package would normally include a larger trans cooler, HD alternator, higher rear end gearing and a class 4 hitch (maybe only a class 3 on the Dakota). There should be a label on the hitch itself identifying capacities.

If you were to check the VIN at a Ram dealer, you'll know for sure.

Dave

[stevem]

you are right it has the "light duty" package

so i have hardwire the bc and add the tranny cooler

bc shouldnt be too bad, fused positive and negative directly from the battery, a lead to the 7 pin connector, but the brake light switch has me baffled. it has 6 leads to it!!

suggestions?

i'll deal with the tranny cooler later

[stevem]

finally sorted out!!

got power, ground and brake feed to the controller, picked out the correct wire on the brake light switch(1 of 6), led all the wiring to the back of the truck, fused power supply, perfect!! and it operates great

lesson learned though, not all factory tow packages are the same!!

thanks for the help lindy and dave

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by stevem

finally sorted out!!

got power, ground and brake feed to the controller, picked out the correct wire on the brake light switch(1 of 6), led all the wiring to the back of the truck, fused power supply, perfect!! and it operates great

lesson learned though, not all factory tow packages are the same!!

thanks for the help lindy and dave

True that! Every manufacturer has there opinion !

[stevem]

it was tricky!!

getting a cable with three wires through the bulkhead was a real challenge

i went through the same grommet as the hood release cable(cut a small slot next to the cable)

fed the cable(cabtyre 12/3) from the controller to the battery area, added an in line fuse and connected to the body ground connection. ran more 12-3 to the hitch area, now i also have 12 v to the trailer(on a seperate fuse) and a spare wire back there

brake switch has 6 wires, the switch disconnects from the pedal bracket with a simple twist. a vom test id'd the correct wire(either 0 or 12 volts) when activating the switch. its actually the second wire from the left and its the biggest one(white with red stripe). splice in the bc sensor wire and its done