I am looking into putting a trailer hitch on my truck so that we can move. But I get a little bit confused when the mechanic starts talking about electrical equipment. Do I want a round 7 or a flat 4 or both? And is it necessary to also install a trailer brake controller?
Depends on if the trailer your using is equipped with brakes, if so then yes you need a brake controller and a 7 pin connector, if not all you need is a 4 pin, which only operate the trailer lights, the extra 3 on a 7 pin are for a ground which a 4 pin makes through the hitch, which is why sometimes you see the lights flickering on some trailers, a 12 volt power supply to charge your emergency break away battery and a power supply coming from the controller. and if you plan on renting one ask to see if it has electric or surge breaks if surge all you need is a 4 pin, but make sure they explain the back up feature to you in case you have to back it in somewhere
This Site Might Help You. RE: Is a trailer brake controller necessary equipment? I am looking into putting a trailer hitch on my truck so that we can move. But I get a little bit confused when the mechanic starts talking about electrical equipment. Do I want a round 7 or a flat 4 or both? And is it necessary to also install a trailer brake controller?
Lightweight trailers (3000 lbs and under) do not require trailer brakes. Trailers over 3000 lbs are required to have brakes. There are three types of trailer brakes. There are air brakes, which are commonly found on trucks and tractor trailer rigs. They are not used on the type of trailer you are talking about. There are surge brakes, which have a hydraulic control mounted on the trailer tongue. When the towing vehicle slows, the momentum of the trailer pushes against the ball, and this activates the trailer brakes, These are common on rental trailers (U-haul) and some boat trailers. There are electric brakes. These are controlled by an electric brake controller, and are wired into the vehicle brake light switch. When you hit the brakes,power is sent to the electrical brake actuators on the trailer and the brakes are applied. The trailer brake control can be adjusted to provide the right amount of braking power being applied to the trailer under different conditions. You want less braking on an empty trailer than a loaded one. If you are going to be renting a trailer to move, you do not need a brake controller. A 4 flat wiring connector will provide the wiring for the lights that you will need, you will have to buy an adapter seeing as the rental trailers have no connectors on them. If you are going to buy a trailer, decide on the trailer (so you know what type of brakes you have) and then have the needed wiring and controller installed.
1. A simple flat 4 will be all that you need but before you do anything check your truck because depending on the year, make and model you may already have one installed from the factory. 2. Electronic trailer brake controllers are important tools when towing trailers that are too heavy for your vehicle to stop effectively. An electronic trailer brake controller will ensure your vehicle and trailer stops smoothly and in a proper distance.
The purpose of a truck is to do whatever you ask of it. For a lightweight trailer all you need to connect are the trailer lights, a flat four connector. For bigger trailers you need trailer brakes, a brake controller, and a round seven connector. You can get a plug-in adapter to go from your round-7 to a flat-4 if you haul a light trailer. You cannot go from a flat-4 to a round-7 with brakes without re-wiring the truck. Do it right, do it once.
