I have an '86 F150 Lariat XLT 4x4 heavy duty suspension. Just got a trailer for my boat that has electric brakes. Going to put on a class 4 WD hitch. How hard is it to put in the controller? What is kind of controller should I get (or avoid) Any advice, or tips would be great!

 

Contact the trailer manufacturer and get their instruction sheet. Be safe, and do it right the first time.

 

It is a Calkins roller trailer, and they are not in business anymore . . . .

 

There are basically 2 kinds of controllers.
Time based - Applies the trailer brakes based on how long your TV brakes are on with increasing strength. The longer you brake the harder the trailer brakes are applied. This system has no idea how hard you are applying the brakes on your TV. There is an adjustment you must make each time you hook up especially if you have different load weights each time. For example: boat gassed up or empty.

Proportional - This type can sense how hard you are braking and automatically adjust the braking power applied to the trailer. The newest type have accelerometer sensors which don't have to be leveled.

Time based type work fine for an occasional tower but I would go with the better ones if I towed more than once or twice a year.

Installation is not hard, usually power & ground for the controller and one wire to trailer connector which has a brake line fuse. (Self resetting circuit breaker type).

When I bought my RV trailer the dealer installed the cheapest (time based) controller he could find on my van. I had no idea about the different types at the time. I don't even know what brand it is.

The people on a RV forum I read, rave about Prodigy controllers.

 

We will be only actually towing the boat twice a year. Once home for the winter and then back to splash it in the spring, 22 miles one way. In between, we will pull it out to the parking lot at the marina occasionally for inspections and cleaning. Sounds like the time based one would work, but I like the functionality of the proportional. Bet there is a huge price differential though. That may be the deciding factor. Appreciate for the input!
PS: We are in the same neck of the woods as you, Kennewick Wa, not too far away.

 

Hey neighbor, well sort of. My daughter is in Kennewick on 8th Place. She moved there summer of 09.

 

Small world isn't it? We have been here since '91, love it here!