URGENT...need info about trailer brakes

[heavy4x4]

My Dad's looking at buying a trailer and found one with a 2950lb capacity and electric brakes (this won't be for vehicles, but will be used for ATV's, wood, etc). We really don't need the electric brakes but this is a nice trailer for a good price.

Here comes the urgent part...we need to buy a trailer this week so we can use it this weekend. My Dad's truck isn't set up (at least I don't think so) for electric brakes. He currently has the standard 4-prong connector. The vehicle is a '97 Chevy Suburban 1500 4x4 with the towing package. What would I need to do/buy to install a 6-prong round connector in place of the 4 prong flat connector in order to make these trailer brakes work?

THANKS!

 

[ugly_blazer]

To make the trailer brakes work you will need a cab mounted controller. Couldn't you just wire up a 6 plug socket using only the 4 wires for the lights and run without brakes? My friend built an adapter cord for his truck that has a 4 prong on one end and a 6 pin on the other to adapt from a 6 pin truck to 4 prong trailer, maybe you could do the same in reverse?

 

[burbBoy]

like was said above. Get an adapter and run the current 4 way plug for the lights. The brakes wont care if they are hooked up or not.

 

[heavy4x4]

Thanks for the replies. I figured I could do what you guys mentioned. I'm more interested in wiring it up TO make the brakes work.

Anybody have some tips or links to trailer brake controllers?

 

[js4x4]

i know you mentioned you prefer to have the brakes actually work, but when I rented a U-Haul trailer with the 6 prong, they made me buy a connector kit so it'd be compatable with my 4 pronger....it was like $5-$10. so its a cheap quickie fix...temporary for sure. Heck, maybe ask the U-Haul guys how you hook up a 6 prong...it can't be THAT difficult. I know here in cali most U haul places hook all kinds of stuff up for towing (hitches etc...) Good luck

 

[gravdigr]

I just completly rewired our 18' trailer and tow rig so this is all pretty fresh in my mind. You will need a female connector for your truck. Any auto parts store should have one. Also you will need a brake controller again available at any auto parts store. They cost $40 and up. The connector you get for the truck should have a wire diagram with it (Incidentally it should be 7 wire rt, lt, backup, running, power, brake, ground). In your case you won't need the power wire unless your trailer has emergency breakaway awitch and a battery. You may also not need the backup light wire.

In any case check the diagram and hook up the wires you need from your existing 4 prong connector to the new socket. Then when you install the brake controller you will need to run a hot wire to it from the battery, a ground preferrably from the battery, and a wire from the brake switch which is usually located down under the dash somewhere by the brake pedal. Then from the brake controller you will run 1 heavy guage wire to the socket you installed. If you ever think you may haul something like a camper then while you are doing the wiring I would just hook up all the connectors that way you'll have them. Just remember to fuse the +12v power wire.

EDIT: actually I got to thinking and if that burb has the towing package it should be prewired for trailer brakes and a 7 wire trailer plug. Contact either the dealer or an RV place and find out. If so you can probably just buy a harness that connects to your brake controller and plugs into a socket under the dash. Then under the rear bumper there may be another socket that you can plug in a harness that connects to your trailer plug socket. Hope that made sense.

 

[Storm Trooper]

Auto parts stores sell adaptors that will just let you plug a 4 prong connector into a 6 or 7 prong connector. No wiring needed at all.
If you want brakes, follow the above recommendations.