Installing a trailer brake.

[withac]

Not sure where to post this since it includes inside stuff, outside stuff, and electrical stuff.

I need to install a trailer brake on my 2000 '**. It has the factory receiver hitch and the plug for the trailer brakes/light. I need to buy a stabilizer hitch and brake controller and hook it all up.

Any ideas on what to look for, what to avoid, and how to wire it up/set it up?

 

[jmildoc]

get the bulldog trailer brake..... look on JC whitney.... they are supposed to be really good... right now they have some deals too!!!

 

[withac]

Thanks.

Just did a little online shopping. Didn't see a Bulldog but one site said "With factory 7-way" or "Without factory 7-way." I'm sure I have the factory set up because it has the hitch, brake/light plug, and came with the aux. tranny cooler. What does 7-way mean and how do I tell if I have it or not?

Edit: Nevermind. I just looked at it, I've got the 7-way. I don't see a pre-wired plug under the dash though so it looks like I'll need to wire it up, I assume it will come with instructions.

 

[blueflamed03]

my 03 had a simple plug and go, pre wired. Crawl under back where spare tire is, look and see if you have the whole assembly under there for plug...

 

[withac]

Thanks guys. The back end is already wired, I imagine it was factory installed because it has the tow package. At least the plug will run the lights on my four-wheeler trailer so I would imagine it's wired for the trailer brake too. I did do some looking online at parts and in my owners manual. Looks like there is a trailer brake plug in the box under the dash so I'm thinking all it will take is to buy the correct adapter, splice the wires from it to the wires from the controller, and plug that bad boy in.

 

[blueflamed03]

then there is a complete kit that you can buy the adapter plug that plugs right in, install in about 5-10 minutes.

 

[notmiked]

do you have HD tow kit?

My '01 Tahoe has the HD tow kit. It came with a 7-pin plug by the hitch receiver in the back of the truck and a harness in the glove box. The harness connects to the connector box (I don't think it is a fuse box, but looks like one) by the driver's left foot. You simply connect your brake controller to the harness and plug it in.

 

[jordankreutzer]

I had a similar situation, in that I have the tow package on my 01 but I had no way to connect the brake controller to the "plug box." You will have to come up with the cable that connects the two, and once you have that you will be ready to go in no time. I went to the stealership and got mine for a bargain basement price of $90. You might be able to find one on ebay or something though. Good luck!

 

[withac]

Thanks guys, we're good to go. I took the controller out of my Dodge and mounted it. I bought a plug for around twelve bucks. I spliced it to the controller and plugged it into the panel under the dash, peice o' cake. Everything works fine. Took the trailer camping last weekend. After years of pulling it with the Dodge and 33" tires and no front and rear gear upgrade (so you know what that did to my gear ratio and power) it was nice to actually have some power, be able to accelerate, and hold my speed going up 6% grades.