Brake controller

[chockwald]

I need to install an electric brake controller for a trailer with electric brakes. I was looking at a Tekonsha Prodigy (my son has one installed in his Fleetwood Discovery), but I'm not sure if that will work with my low tech 1982 Newell. I guess this question is for those of you who own a Newell Classic who have installed a brake controller. What do you recommend, and is it something I could install?

[fulltiming]

Clarke, I see no reason why the Prodigy wouldn't work on your coach. Since my coach had a brake controller already installed, I don't know how much effort it would be to track down the wires that must be tapped into under the dash. If the wiring to the rear is already available, it should not be too big a job. Otherwise it could be a challenge to run an additional wire to the rear.

If you coach already has the trailer wiring plug (sorry I don't remember if there was one when you came to see us) the wiring already exists and it will just be a matter of finding the right wires up front to tie into.

[chockwald]

What I have right now is a round 4 pin jack in the rear which extends running lights, turn signals, and brake lights to whatever I am towing. I think I would need a 7 pin jack to include the brake controller, right?

[fulltiming]

A 7-pin Bargman would be the typical connection for a trailer with brakes. What type trailer do you have in mind towing?

[chockwald]

Planning on towing a car hauler trailer....something we can put the T-Bird on.

[fulltiming]

Clarke, most of the car hauler trailers I have seen do have the 7 wire plugs. You can use the same wires for the lights but would have to find or add wires for the brakes and for 12 volt power if you get a trailer with a battery and for some, a wire for the backup lights.

Typically the 7 way flat blade tow vehicle adapter is wired with the ground to lug 1, the electric brakes to lug 2, tailights to lug 3, 12 volt for battery charging lug 4, left turn lug 5, right turn lug 6 and auxiliary/backup lights to the center lug. When viewed at from the back side of the connector the notch is between lugs 1 and 2, and the lugs are laid out starting from the notch and going clockwise 2, 6, 4, 3, 5, 1.

[chockwald]

Great information, Michael, thank you very much! I'll print this off and use as a guide. A side note. Got a call from Steve Ward this morning. He saw my post about the brake controller and called to let me know he has a "new in box" Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller he will sell to me. He had bought it for another vehicle and ended up not installing it.

[Richard and Rhonda]

Hey Clarke,

Just be aware that there are two styles of the 7 pin connectors. One is an RV style and one is the style that truckers use. My Newell has the latter, and they are not interchangeable. The RV style has blade pins and the trucker style has round pins. They look the same from the outside. It really doesn't make any difference, except your plug in and your extension cord have to match plug styles :-)

[fulltiming]

Yep, Airstreams used the round pin connectors but virtually all trailers now use the flate blade style. Good point Richard.

[chockwald]

Thanks, guys!

[chockwald]

Normally there would be a "brake switch" near the top of the brake pedal, but, as we all know Newell's have air brakes. I can't find a typical brake switch. What should I look for?

[fulltiming]

Might be easiest to tie into the Brake Light terminal on the Front Terminal Board, in front of the passenger's feet.

[chockwald]

OK.....got the brake controller installed (Tekonsha Prodigy). The main issue was finding the brake switch that sends the signal to the rear brakes. I was not able to find the source on the front electrical panel (under dash in front of driver's seat), but was able to find the signal at the relay in the right rear engine bay. Since I didn't have enough time between Saturday and when I leave for Texas on the 9th to spend another "dozen" hours, I ran a line from the rear relay to the brake controller up front....I'm not happy with that solution, but when I get back I'll take a few "dozen" hours and do it right. We're going to visit the Newell plant on our way to Texas (OK, it's not exactly on the way, but since we'll be within a day and a half of Miami we'll head there) and I'm going to have them give me some assistance in finding the correct point up front to tap into the brake signal.....it'll probably take them 3 minutes...LOL. Anyway, I'm set to pull the big trailer with the T-Bird. Thank you Michael for your assistance, and I really do appreciate the time you take out of your day to help fellow Newell owners.

[chockwald]

Got a call from Steve Ward this morning after he read this post. I should have remembered that he had been dealing with a brake light issue, and finally found his problem in the wiriing located in the steering column. He is pretty sure the wire I need is the "red one" in the wiring bundle that runs into the steering column....doh! The only place I didn't look. Well, at least I know what to do when I get a chance. I will let you know how that turns out.