| Re: Trailer Wiring Posted by jeff taylor on November 20, 2000 at 23:32:40: In Reply to: Trailer Wiring posted by Victor D on November 20, 2000 at 09:56:40:
I can't help you on if there is a brake wire run to the bumper or not, but I'd bet there is not. However, the wire that is in your trailer socket at the bumper that gets hot when you apply the brakes will not make your brakes work. If it is used to do so, it will hopefully pop a fuse, rather than Kentucky Fried Chicken (extra crispy style) your wiring harness. Even if it could do it, brake light function is a simple on/off affair, while a modern brake controller progressively applies the trailer brakes. No vehicle comes factory (to my knowledge) with a brake controller built in(some are pre-wired to accept one though). When you put in the controller it really is safest to get power from the battery and install the proper fuse (most contollers use a 20A). They use alot of power and can work really screwy if undersupplied or poorly grounded. Do yourself another favor, if that controller is old, throw it away, the older ones do wear out. Why risk crashing your tow rig, trailer and cargo on a 50-100 dollar part. After selling/installing about five different brands, I like the Reese Brakeman Compact the best. It's saved my butt a few times in my own rig. I've sold about 50 and never had one come back(probably killed in the crash). Don't buy one that has a pendulum to level the sensors inside, thats old timey. Hope this helps.
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