Trailer brake controller

[Deucenut]

Hello all. I have a 2005 Journey 39k. I am trying to instal a trailer brake controller. Under the dash I found a strange looking connector that is labelled "trailer brake controller". This may sound like a dumb question, but is that a factory wire and plug setup or something another owner has installed? Those with similar models to mine, was your wiring harness labelled? Thx.

[FIRE UP]

Deucenut,
That is most likely a factory plug/harness. Many of the manufacturers place those harness's in there for future applications by owners. It's nice convenience and usually is wired all the way to the rear, but no guaranty. Sometimes, like on our '99 Bounder we had, it did go all the way to the rear of the coach but, it did not enter the back of the plug. Instead, it was coiled up and tied to other harness's back there. So, while you've found the front section, you might have to dig around to find the rear section if, it in fact is wired all the way to the rear. Some, have it already in the trailer plug. You might be one of the lucky ones.
Scott

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by Deucenut

Hello all. I have a 2005 Journey 39k. I am trying to instal a trailer brake controller. Under the dash I found a strange looking connector that is labelled "trailer brake controller". This may sound like a dumb question, but is that a factory wire and plug setup or something another owner has installed? Those with similar models to mine, was your wiring harness labelled? Thx.

On my 2004 39K I connected a prodigy brake controller to those wires and it worked (and still does). I'd think it it is factory wiring.

[Deucenut]

So I didn't know which wires on the pigtail were for what and I couldn't find it anywhere online. So I called winnebago who told me it had been installed by freightliner. The good folks at Winnebago emailed me a picture explaining exactly what each wire was for. Now I had seen adapter plugs at the Rv store I purchased the brake controller at and thought maybe I could get an adapter for my freightliner chassis since Winnebago had supplied a freightliner part number. So I called freightliner...yep I could get an adapter...you ready? $152!!!! I almost starter laughing when the parts guy told me. So back to just cutting off the end of my pigtail.

So I have 4 wires coming from my brake controller:
-power
-ground
-a wire to the stoplight switch
-a wire to the trailer plug for the brakes.


The pigtail in the motorhome has 5 wires:

-Brake Input Signal
-Back Lighting Circuit
-Electric Brake Output Circuit
-12v Power (30 amp fuse)
-Ground

Now the power and ground are obvious, but which wire goes to the brakes and which wire goes to the stoplight switch as the brake controller directions state? Any help would be great. I've attached a snapshot of what Winnebago sent me.

[Deucenut]

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

On my 2004 39K I connected a prodigy brake controller to those wires and it worked (and still does). I'd think it it is factory wiring.

Do you remember which wires you used in the pigtail?

[rgvtexan]

The pigtail in the motorhome has 5 wires:

-Brake Input Signal ---------------------36G red/white little wire
-Back Lighting Circuit
-Electric Brake Output Circuit---------- 36T red/ white big wire
-12v Power (30 amp fuse)
-Ground

The attch is how mine is wired, your controller wires may be different colors.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Deucenut

So I have 4 wires coming from my brake controller:
-power
-ground
-a wire to the stoplight switch
-a wire to the trailer plug for the brakes.


The pigtail in the motorhome has 5 wires:

-Brake Input Signal
-Back Lighting Circuit
-Electric Brake Output Circuit
-12v Power (30 amp fuse)
-Ground

Now the power and ground are obvious, but which wire goes to the brakes and which wire goes to the stoplight switch as the brake controller directions state? Any help would be great. I've attached a snapshot of what Winnebago sent me.

Brake Input Signal = wire to stoplight switch
Back Lighting Circuit = I have no idea!
Electric Brake Output Circuit = wire to the trailer plug for the brakes
12 V Power (30 amp fuse) = power
Ground = ground

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Deucenut]

Thanks for all the clarification guys. It looks as though I have wired it correctly. Tomorrow I'll hook up the trailer and check it out if it ever stops raining here in the Pacific Wetcoast....I appreciate all the help.

[pavepaws]

I also installed a Prodigy and got the wiring diagram for connections through their tech support. Bought an extra pigtail from Prodigy and hardwired to the (Freightliner) underdash connector. This way the Prodigy can also be used in another vehicle. Definitely would not an outrageous price for a connector. My Prodigy went inoperative after one year, contacted the manufactured and the exchanged it at NO cost. Has a lifetime warranty. I drove to a local RV supply store and Prodigy had a unit ready for me in stock. Just handed in my defective unit.

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by Deucenut

Do you remember which wires you used in the pigtail?

No, I don't remember - looks like others have provided the information but I can crawl under there and look if you need.
Bob