Trailer brake question

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Capt. Bondo
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Trailer brake question

Post by Capt. Bondo »

This years spring commissioning budget is targeted at getting my trailer road worthy to haul H:)ppy Place to all the cool places I want to sail.
I have never had electric brake before, and the PO had installed a flat 5 prong plug on the trailer.
As I add the brake controler and the extra wire to my E150 I wondering if I should have a heaver type of connection between the van and the trailer.
From what I have been reading the flat 5 prong is recomended for trailers with hydraulic surge brakes and the 5th wire is for electric over ride for reverse.

What do you folks that have electric brakes have for your trailer connection, and your thoughts about your setup?
H:)ppy Place
78 Chrysler 22

You can go to a Zen Master or you can go Sailing, either way you end up in about the same place..... a Happy Place
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trev
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Post by trev »

I have the big round 7 pin connector. With electric brakes you need another wire to charge the battery on the break away system.
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Capt. Bondo
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Post by Capt. Bondo »

Good point Trev.
My son mentioned that to me a while back also, but I listen to him as well as he listens to me :shock: bah, bah bah
H:)ppy Place
78 Chrysler 22

You can go to a Zen Master or you can go Sailing, either way you end up in about the same place..... a Happy Place
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Jmckamey
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Post by Jmckamey »

All travel trailers and others with elect. brakes use a seven pin connector. With that connector you could run a hot wire from the battery and charge the boat batteries while towing too.
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mcrandall
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Post by mcrandall »

Good idea about the charge line! Anybody ever done it?
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lecker68
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Post by lecker68 »

When I had the Newport I had a 6 pin connector and had a 12V lie going to boat battery so it was charged when I launched. I was trailering all the time.
Catch the wind and ride the wave, Have fun
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mcrandall
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Post by mcrandall »

Too Cool!
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1975 C-22 currently named Stardust (soon to be "Angela Marie")
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Paul
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Post by Paul »

Lecker, explain a 12V lie. Is that when you tell it it's 12V when it's really only 6?
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lecker68
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Post by lecker68 »

OOPs missed the N in line so so sorry.
Catch the wind and ride the wave, Have fun
Lyle
1980 C-26 #1100
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/34432376@N06/
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tgentry
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Post by tgentry »

Hey, Capt Bondo,
We tow our C-26 with a E-150 as well. 5.4 and towing package. It's done a great job for us so far.

I use the 7 pin round connector. Since the batteries on the boat charge via solar panel I didn't worry about that extra line. Do be sure you have a breakaway box, and run sufficient size line (10g min) for your brakes.

Cheers,
Tom
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Beady
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Post by Beady »

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

This link shows how to wire different plugs on the 7 pin plug the white wire is a constant 12v line to power the break away or to power the 12 volt fridge when towing. I had to install a break controller on my Explorer to pull the camping trailer.

brian
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Beady
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Post by Beady »

Guys I think I posted white wire as 12 volt pos. Should be pin 4 black wire.
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Post by astrorad »

ok, here is the question...you have a breakaway switch...now you need a battery to operate it if the trailer and tow vehicle separate while in motion.

On my 5th wheel travel trailer it is the house batteries that do that...are the boat batteries/battery hooked up to operate the electric brakes when the breakaway switch engages??

Something better be hooked to that switch or else your trailer and boat may just pass you up as you hit the brakes.
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trev
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Post by trev »

My camper also has the break away wired to the house bank but for a boat trailer most would go with a small battery on the tongue instead of messing with any wiring coming out of the boat.

I put this one on my C22 trailer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TAP-Enga ... ccessories
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Post by astrorad »

Trev....that looks like a good solution...thanks for the info.
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Post by lecker68 »

I have surge brakes and the break away is a cable and lever that releases a spring and when spring is released it will lock up the brakes. I tried it out and almost could not believe how fast it stops.
Catch the wind and ride the wave, Have fun
Lyle
1980 C-26 #1100
S/V My Getaway
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34432376@N06/
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