Bob,
I don't think that you understand. The brake controllers we have been
talking about are hydraulically activated brake units that send an electric
signal to your trailer's electric brakes. Because of this it is compatible
with any trailer that has electric brakes. If your trailer does not have
electric brakes I would highly recommend switching them over.
The hydraulic part is only for determining when and how much electric
current goes to the trailer's brakes. Your other options are a timed
electric controller or a pendulum activated controller.
There used to be available actual hydraulic trailer brakes that tied into
the tow vehicles brake lines, but these have LONG ago disappeared. I do not
think that anyone was talking about one of these setups.
About the wiring harness, wire it in the modern configuration. If it does
not match how your trailer is wired, open up the trailer's plug and change a
couple of connections so that it does match modern, this way you will be
able to tow any other travel trailer without rewiring. Since you will be
needing the plug for the truck's end, you may want to go ahead and get a new
one on the trailer's end.
If the other trailers that you are talking about are horse, boat or utility
trailers there is a 7 to 4 adapter that just plugs in to your truck that
allows the lights on these trailers to work without rewiring. Assuming that
your truck is wired to modern.
I believe that Champion Trailers has a diagram online on trailer plugs, but
I do not remember the URL.
Scott Scheuermann
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Kiger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Multiple recipients of VACList" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2001 11:17 PM
Subject: [VAC] Brake controllers
> Thanks to all for the varied responses to my query on Hydraulic Brake
> Controllers. I am inclined now to go with an electric controller for
> several reasons. First, I may be pulling friends trailers who are not
> equipped with the connections.
>
> I have several questions about Brake controllers in general:
>
> 1. Vintage Airstreams have different pin configurations than modern
trailers.
> Do we have to rewire every time we switch between vintage and modern?
> Is there an adapter that can cross wires inline
>
> 2. If we use a hydraulic unit, we must need a separate electrical
> connector for lights
> and power. What kind of plug connects these signals?
>
> 3. One of the vendors today asked me if my PU was wired for the 7 prong
plug?
> I assume that it is not and I will have to tap in and run a wire harness
from?
> (lights, brakes, turn signals, back-up lights, house power, ground)?
>
> I assume turn signals occupy two wires so that would add up to seven.
Correct?
> It's a pain to change pullers but in the end, I am sure it will be worth
it.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to
> http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html
>
> If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary
original
> text from your reply.
>
>
>
To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to
http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html
If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original
text from your reply.
