1997FordF150XLT4.6V8

Hi everyone,

I'm kinda a novice when it comes to towing heavy stuff. In the near future I'm going to be hauling a lot of heavy loads on a dump trailer for house projects. My truck has the 4 pin connector for basic landscaping trailers and such but I'm going to need a 7 pin to control brakes on the new trailer. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction as far as everything I will need to install trailer brakes on my truck. I have heard trucks of my generation that have the tow package come pre wired and have a plug under the dash. Basically I need a parts list and recommendations on good brands to get my truck wired up. I think I have an idea of what I will need like:

Wiring harness for plug under dash.
Controller.
7 pin connector

Any info or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Zach

frobotz

the factory plug under the dash is on the side of the bracket that the OBD 2 diagnostic plus is on. For a controller, I use anything from techonesha, (I like the prodigy but the voyager works well too)

redneck wrencher

Try etrailer.com . They should have everything you need. Here is a wiring harness and 7 way socket for the factory 4 pin tow conversion. http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...id=19971172063 Look in the Towing section for all the other components you will need.

raisin

etrailer X2. That wiring harness and 7-pin look like the factory parts on my '99. Make sure you connect the white pigtail to a good ground. That may be hard to find on a '97. You can always connect to body if you have to and make a jumper wire to sanded spot on frame.

1997FordF150XLT4.6V8

Okay so if i installed this would i still need a controller or is this all i need to make everything on the trailer function. Thanks for the info again just wanna make sure i order everything i need.

Zach

brulaz

EDIT: nevermind - didn't notice that this is a 97 model.

You will need a brake control. Tekonsha P2 or P3 has good reports.

redneck wrencher

You will still need the brake controller and harness. Scroll down toward the bottom of the page in the link and watch the videos. They give you options for mounting the 7 way and show you the connections you have to make inside the cab, under the hood, and at the rear under in the frame. The part numbers are given in the videos and in the text on that page. The whole thing is pretty much "plug and play", except for drilling a few holes and tying up some wires.

frobotz

I run the techonesha controller on mine. I have used the voyager series and it works great. Changes brake pressure fir uphill and downhill runs to keep the trailer under control. I like the prodigy but be ready to pay for it.

frobotz

Yes you will need to controller