Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Draw-Tite Activator Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Time Delayed
Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness for Tekonsha and Draw-Tite Brake Controller 12" Long
Part Numbers: 5100, 20127
Retail:$89.22
Price:$75.94
Shipping Special
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2001 Chevrolet Express Van - Video
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe - Video
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 1991 Ford F-150 - Video
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2005 Ford Freestar - Video
Show all 6 videos
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe - Video
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 1991 Ford F-150 - Video
Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2005 Ford Freestar - Video
Show all 6 videos
Draw-Tite Activator Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Time Delayed
part number: 5100
Electronic controller activates electric trailer brakes with a preset intensity when you apply the brakes in your vehicle. Power output and braking aggressiveness are easily adjustable to suit your preference. Includes manual override. What this means for you is a greater comfort range when driving in various road or weather conditions. The Act I lets you fine tune both the speed and amount of power going to the brakes.
Features:
- Brake controller activates trailer brakes with preset intensity
- Signal is sent to trailer brakes when tow vehicle's brakes are activated
- Adjustable output control lets you determine the amount of braking force
- Set to maximum when you travel through hilly terrain with a fully loaded trailer
- Back off the power output when you tow a lightweight trailer
- Sync setting lets you adjust the aggressiveness with which the brakes are activated
- Get full power output faster by moving switch forward to increase activation speed
- Achieve smoother braking by moving switch in opposite direction to supply power gradually
- LED indicator on front of unit shows when trailer's brakes are applied
- Light glows brighter as power output increases
- Built-in, slide-bar manual override
- Quick and easy installation
- No need to mount level like proportional brake controllers
- Mounting bracket, wiring harness and hardware included
- Plug-in, vehicle-specific brake-control adapter can be used for certain applications to reduce installation time
Specs:
- Application: trailers with up to 2 axles (4 brake assemblies)
- Designed for use with electric brakes only
- Dimensions: 3" wide x 5-3/8" long x 1" tall
- Limited 3-year warranty
Time-Delayed Braking
The Activator applies your trailer's brakes when the brake pedal in your tow vehicle is engaged. Every time you apply the brakes in your vehicle, a signal is sent - via the brake switch - to the Activator. The controller then sends power out to your trailer brakes to activate them with an intensity set by you, at a rate determined by you. Both the amount of braking power (output) and rate of application (sync) can be adjusted to suit your preference, the road conditions, type of trailer and size of the load. To determine which levels are best for your application, you must test out your towing setup and choose what feels best.
A time-delay controller is so named because there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output. Unlike a proportional brake controller, which activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your tow vehicle, the Activator sends power out in the same way, with the same gradual delay, no matter the braking situation. Although this delay always exists, it can be adjusted by changing the sync setting.
Sync Settings
To adjust the aggressiveness of your trailer's braking action, use the slide control on the side of the Activator to change the sync setting. If you want to reach maximum power output faster, move the switch forward. To get smoother braking action, move the switch backward, thus supplying power to the trailer brakes more gradually. You can alter the sync setting to suit your driving preferences or to improve handling based on changing road conditions or varied trailer loads.
Quick, Simple Installation
Because inertia plays no role in the functioning of this controller, you do not have to mount the unit at any particular angle. As a result, mounting options are limitless, so long as you can still easily access the controller.
Installation of the Activator requires that you either purchase a custom wiring adapter designed to plug into the controller or that you hardwire the controller directly into your vehicle. To hardwire the Activator, you must remove the plug at the end of the integrated wiring harness.
Installation Accessories
For easier installation, a vehicle-specific wiring adapter is available for most newer trucks and SUVs. One end of the custom adapter plugs into your vehicle, and the other end plugs into the controller - no hardwiring required.
Note: If a custom brake-control wiring adapter is not available for your vehicle, a 20-amp circuit breaker (9506P - sold separately) will be required.
See also etrailer.com's exclusive 7- and 4-way brake-control installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately) if you don't already have a 7-way plug at the back of your vehicle.
5100 Draw-Tite Act I Time-Delay Trailer Brake Control
Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness for Tekonsha and Draw-Tite Brake Controller 12" Long
part number: 20127
Tow Ready Replacement Plugin Harness for the Tekonsha P3, Voyager, Prodigy, and Primus Brake Controllers. Also works with Draw-Tite Intella-stop Xtreme, Intella-stop Ultra, Intella-stop Digital and Activator III (5520) brake controllers.
- Wire leads measure approximately 12" long
Video of Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2001 Chevrolet Express Van
Video Transcript for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2001 Chevrolet Express Van
All right, today on this 2001 Chevrolet Express Van were going to install part #: 39523, this is the Tekonsha Power Track brake controller. Now to install this were also going to use part #: ETBC7, the brake controller install kit. Were going to start with that part first. Were going to start off of our wiring harness and start from the rear of the vehicle and work our way up. All right, next well go ahead and take our 7 pole bracket and were going to attach it directly to the bumper. All right, now well go ahead and take our seven to four pole adaptor, well attach it to the bracket, then well take the four pole and connect it to the preexisting four poles on the van.
Well use some dielectric grease to seal the connection up, connect the two four poles together and make a permanent connection out of it. All right, then well continue on with our gray wire and well run that to the front of the vehicle. Now, when we do well make sure stay away from anything moving like the suspension components or anything hot like the exhaust. Now well also take the white wire thats with the gray cable with the ring terminal and well attach that to the frame. Now to attach our ground were going to use a number 14 self-tapping screw.
Now, to run a wire up to the front were actually going to run all the way through the frame. Now, were using a piece of airline tubing to help run the wire through. This also can be a piece of stiff wire or something you can work with. Okay, well pull all the way up to the frame and then well run up through the engine compartment. Again, we want to make sure we stay away from anything moving or that gets hot like the exhaust.
Well run it up along the firewall and pull it out the top and then well use a zip tie to help secure the wire and take up the tension. Next well go ahead and install our circuit breakers. Were going to mount them to the inside of the fender well next to the battery. Now well take our duplex cable and well peel away the gray sheath. Our black wire will go on across the front of the vehicle to the 40 amp circuit breaker for a hot lead.
Then our wire well pull back and leave it out of the way for now. After we have our initial hook up to the circuit breaker well go ahead and take our white wire and then well pull it from the inside out. Now, on this vehicle theres a grommet thats missing in the firewall, so were going to use that hole to run our wires through. If there was a grommet there we would make a hole in the grommet and then run our wires through it. Now, since that weve ran out of cable on our install due to the way how we ran the wire from to rear and the lengths were going to add another piece of cable to it. Well use a ten foot length of wire, were using part #: 10-2-1. Well take this new length of wire and well run it from our 20 amp circuit breaker to the inside of the cabin to where were going to install our brake controller. Now, our black wire will be connected to the 20 amp circuit breaker and our white wire in this bundle will be attached to the factory ground. Okay, now that weve run our wires inside well go ahead and cut them to the length that we need. Then we can go ahead installing the wire harness for the brake controller. Now the wire harness were going to use is universal brake controller plug part #: 20127. Now, we hook up our wires, were going to start with our single white wire. Well connect that to the blue wire on our brake controller harness, then next well go to the gray cable with the black and white wires, well connect those color for color from the brake controller harness and our red wire well run up to the coal side of the brake switch. All right, at this point we can go ahead and start installing the brake controller. Well take our bracket and mount it to the bottom of the dash. Then well go ahead and take the brake controller and well get ready to install it to the bracket. Well go ahead and take one of the attachment screws and make some threads before we attach the brake controller to the bracket. Okay, well go ahead and attach it to the bracket. Well connect our wire plugs together and well zip tie the wires out of the way and well go back underneath the hood and make our final connection. Now, well run two wires to our power supply, one for the brake controller and one for the 40 amp circuit breaker for the 12 volt power supply out back. Normally you want to make your connections straight to the battery. However, due to the lack of room inside the engine compartment, with the battery, we cant really use battery extenders or post extenders. Okay, with our power hooked up well go ahead and attach the trailer to the vehicle and test the brake controller. Now, you can see we have a little green light on the LED. If we move the manual override over you can see how it turns to the green, to orange, to red and it also, since its a time delay brake controller, itll do the same thing when we hit the brake pedal. Okay, and with that, thatll finish it for our install of part #: 39523 from Tekonsha on our 2001 Chevrolet Express Van.
Ask the Experts about this Brake Controller
Do you have a question about this Brake Controller?
- Brake Controller Installation on 1998 Chevy Suburban
- GM did not start using the port under the dash until the 1999 model year. You will need to hardwire the controller into the existing vehicle wiring.
Depending on what the tow package on your vehicle included, some of the wiring might be in place. Does the Suburban already have a trailer connector? If so, is it a 4-pole or a 7-Way?
GM typically ran a blue and an orange wire from the rear of the vehicle up to the engine bay that terminates under the brake booster. In a 12 year old vehicle,
view full answer... - Wiring Diagram Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller # 39510
- Yes we can help. To the right there is a picture that has a diagram of how most brake controllers wire up, if you click it you will be able to see an enlarged version of the picture. Below you will find a link to the installation instructions and to wiring instructions for wiring brake controllers. All brake controllers wire pretty much the same with a white ground wire, a black power wire a red brake switch wire and a blue brake feed wire that goes to the trailer brakes.
If you would like to
view full answer... - Do I Need a Circuit Breaker for a Brake Controller if my 1997 Ford F-150 Has a Factory 7 Way Package
- Since your 1997 Ford F-150 already has the factory 7 way wiring package, the circuit breaker or fuse should already be wired into your truck fuse block. You will however need to use a different part number. You need part # 5100-20260. It is the same controller but it has the wiring connector that will plug into the port or connector Ford provided under the dash. I have included a link to the instructions so you can locate the brake controller port or connector. The instructions are written for a
view full answer... - What are the Dimensions and Warranty for Draw-Tite Activator Part # 5100
- The Draw-Tite Activator has a Three Year Limited manufacturer warranty and the dimensions are 3 inches wide, 1 inch thick and 5-3/8 inches long. I have also included a link to the instructions below.
view full answer... - What is the Red Wire Function on an Electric Trailer Brake Controller
- The red wire on the brake controller connects to the stop light wire on the brake switch located above the brake pedal. You will need to use a circuit tester like # 3808 to probe the wires. You need the one that shows a signal ONLY when the brake pedal is pressed. If you find a wire that has a signal when the headlights are on or when the turn signals are engaged it is not the correct wire.
Brake Controller Wire Colors and Functions:
The white wire is ground
The blue wire is output to the t
view full answer... - Troubleshooting a Draw-Tite Brake Controller # 5100
- You will want to confirm that you have the wires of the controller attached in the correct manner.
The blue wire is the brake output circuit and will be run to the 7-way.
The black wire is the 12 volt circuit wire that will be run through a 30 amp circuit breaker to the vehicle battery.
The white wire is the ground wire and will be attached to the negative side of battery.
The red wire will be run to the brake switch signal that only sees voltage when the brakes are applied.
If that
view full answer... - Recommend Brake Controller For 2003 Subaru Outback
- Brake controllers are not vehicle specific. If you plan to tow a trailer with electric brakes, you would need to install the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness, part # 118461 and the Brake Controller 7 and 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7.
For a brake controller, I would recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, part # 90885, as it is easy to setup and operate. The P2 is a proportional brake controller. A proportional brake controller sends power to the brakes in proportion to the rat
view full answer... - Is a Wiring Harness Needed to Install a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2000 Dodge Dakota
- If your 2000 Dodge Dakota came with a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector, you will need the Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Dodge Vehicles, part # 3020-P, to install the Draw-Tite Brake Controller, part # 5100. This adapter will plug into the back of the brake controller and the plug on the other end will plug into the factory brake controller port on your vehicle.
The factory plug is located underneath and left of the steering column, taped to another harness near the emergency brake p
view full answer... - Brake Controller Wiring Harness Connection Point for a 2005 Dodge Ram with Factory Tow Package
- Yes, the Draw-Tite Brake Controller, part # 5100, will hook up to your 2005 Dodge Ram.
Since your 2005 Dodge Ram has a factory 7-Way, you will need to use the Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Dodge Vehicles, part # 3020-P, to connect the Draw-Tite brake controller to your vehicle. The wiring harness will plug into the OEM harness that is located under the steering wheel, just to the right of the emergency brake pedal. There will be a small junction box with one harness already plugged in. You w
view full answer... - What Parts are Needed to Install a Draw-Tite Trailer Brake Controller on a 2007 Toyota Tacoma
- If your 2007 Toyota Tacoma came with a factory 7-Way trailer connector at the back, you can use the Tekonsha Wire Replacement, part # 3040-P, to install the Draw-Tite brake controller. On Tacoma trucks equipped with a 7-Way, there will be a harness that mates with this wiring harness which may be the one you are referring to. The harness will be located underneath and left of the steering column, taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal. There will be a 5-pin connector that mates
view full answer... - Installation of Draw-Tite Brake Controller Kit 5100-20260 on 2000 Ford F-250 Truck
- The factory brake controller port on your 2000 Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty will be located under the dash near the center console on most vehicles.
First, connect the Draw-Tite Brake Control Adapter, part # 3035-p, to the Draw-Tite Activator I Brake Controller, part # 5100. Then, plug the adapter which is now connected to the brake controller into the factory brake controller port under the dash. Mount the brake controller to a place on the dash that is easily accessible.
I am including a
view full answer... - How to Wire a Draw-Tite Act II Trailer Brake Controller on a 2003 Toyota Tundra
- I would be happy to explain how to wire the Draw-Tite Act II Brake Controller, # 5500, to your vehicle. The wiring functions you have given are very helpful. To be sure they are labeled correctly, you can always test them with a test light # 3808.
On the brake controller black is for 12 volt power, white is ground, red connects to stop light switch, and blue is output to trailer brakes.
On your 2003 Toyota Tundra, the fused battery wire connects to the brake controller black wire. The wire
view full answer... - Brake Controller Installation Instructions And Wire Colors for a 2005 Toyota 4Runner
- The wire colors for the brake controller are white ground wire, black power wire, red brake switch wire and blue brake feed wire that goes to the trailer brakes, see video links.
Your 2005 Toyota 4Runner should have a connection point under the dash near the emergency brake pedal that the 20265, wiring harness will plug into, if your vehicle was set up with the factory tow package wiring.
If this connector was removed for some reason and you need to splice the Draw-Tite Brake Controller, #
view full answer... - Only the Left Side Trailer Brake Locks Up using a Time Delay Brake Controller
- First, since only the left side was locking up, there could be a problem with the brake and/or wiring on that side. You will want to check that the wiring is intact with no cuts, breaks, or nicks. Also make sure that the ground is attached to a clean and corrosion free bare metal surface.
If the brake or wiring is not in working order, a new brake controller would not help. However, I do recommend a proportional controller over a time delay controller because they are the safer way to apply
view full answer... - Brake Controller only Showing 00 When Brakes are Applied and Cannot Adjust Higher
- It sounds like you have a problem on the truck side since the trailer brakes are working on another vehicle.
I would start by checking the trailer connections inside the vehicle connector for corrosion, which could be blocking the signal from the brake controller.
Next setup the brake controller from the beginning following the manufacturers instructions, making sure the controller is mounted properly and the settings are not adjusted all the way down.
If this does not solve the issue,
view full answer... - Can I Charge Battery on Trailer By Connecting To Brake Controller
- You would be able to maintain power to the battery by running a wire from the positive terminal on the trailer battery to the power wire on the 7-way. I would recommend using 10 gauge wire, part # 10-1-1, and connecting to the Black wire on the trailer 7-way, or the pin in the 11 oclock position when looking at the front of the connector to the positive battery terminal (see FAQ). You would then connect the negative terminal to a clean metal surface on the trailer frame for a ground connection.
view full answer... - Trailer Brakes Engage Then Release with Draw-Tite Act I Brake Controller Set Above 30
- This could indicate a problem with the trailer brake magnet wiring or the magnets themselves. To determine if it is the brake controller, try connecting another trailer if possible. If it does the same thing, then there could be something wrong with the controller or the controller wiring.
To test the magnets, start with a visual inspection of the magnets and the wiring. If you can see the windings coming through on the magnets they will need to be replaced. Check that the grounds are properl
view full answer... - Draw-Tite Activator Brake Controller Shows an Overload OL Condition When Trailer is Connected
- The OL on the display for the Draw-Tite Activator, # 5100, indicates an overload condition. This can be indicative of a short circuit along the blue wire of the brake controller. The short could be the result of a bad ground, broken wire, corrosion in the trailer connectors, or any combination of these.
Start by checking the wiring at the back of the brake controller to ensure that the ground is connected to a clean bare metal surface if it was hardwired. You can use a circuit tester like # 3
view full answer... - What Does E2 Error Code Indicate on Reliance Electric Brake Controller
- I contacted our representative at Hopkins about the E2 code that is showing on the Reliance Brake Controller. The representative informed me that this code is an indication of a short on the Blue brake controller wire.
What he will need to do is inspect the Blue wire from the brake controller back for any cut, frayed or exposed wiring. A way to check whether the short is on the tow vehicle or the trailer is to stop and disconnect the trailer wiring. If the E2 code still shows on the brake con
view full answer... - How to Wire a Draw-Tite Brake Controller to a 2003 Ford F350
- The easiest way to install your Draw-Tite 2-4 Brake Electronic Brake Controller # 5100 in your 2003 Ford F-350 would be to use a Tekonsha Wire Replacement # 3035-P. This product will plug into the back of your # 5100 and then plug directly into the plug underneath the dash of your vehicle.
I attached installation instructions and an installation video for you to check out.
Your other choice is to hard-wire it in by first cutting the plug under your dash off and then wire it by function to
view full answer... - What Do I Need to Wire a Basic 4-Way Trailer Connector on a 1996 Toyota Tacoma Pickup
- Since the 1996 Toyota Tacoma has separate turn and brake signals, a converter is necessary. Fortunately, there is a plug-and-play harness, part # 118379, available for your Tacoma that makes installing very easy. It simply plugs in-line with the tail light connectors behind the tail light housings. Then you connect the ground wire to a good ground point on the truck frame and you are done.
I have added a link to the part and a video of it being installed on a 2000 Tacoma. I have also included
view full answer... - Do the Tow Ready and Tekonsha Brake Controller Harnesses use the Same Guage Wire
- The Tow-Ready part, part # 20127, and the Tekonsha part, part # 7894, use the same size wires. The blue and black wires are 12 gauge and the red and white are 16 gauge. They are the same part other than wire length.
view full answer... - Which Brake Switch Wire is Used When Installing Brake Controller on 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
- A brake controller has four wires exiting the rear of the controller, they attach as follows: the red wire attaches to the brake stoplight switch located at the top of the brake pedal. The color of the correct wire on the brake switch is usually a white wire with a tan stripe, but it could vary so it is best to find the correct wire you will need by testing the wires for function. The stoplight switch can have several wires exiting it, you will need a circuit tester like Quickee Tester, part # 3
view full answer... - Electric Trailer Brake Controller Recommendation for a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI
- I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885. It is one of our highest rated and most popular brake controller models. If your Touareg has a factory tow package, then you will just need to connect the wires from the brake controller to the tow package wires under the dash.
The tow package wiring may be located behind the lower appearance panel beneath the dash and to the right of the emergency brake pedal. It may be on the left, wrapped in grey foam. I have included a link to an FAQ article that mig
view full answer... - Installing a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2012 Dodge Caravan with Tow Package
- I spoke with a colleague who worked at Chrysler and he stated that they do not put the trailer hitch and 7-Way wiring on the Grand Caravan at the factory. That is something that the dealer installs. In any event here is what you will need to do. The brake controller will need to be hardwired into the vehicle.
The white wire on the brake controller will need to get connected directly to the negative terminal on the vehicle battery. The black wire will need to connect to a 30 amp circuit breake
view full answer... - Does the Tow Package Wiring on a 2008 Chevy Colorado Match a Brake Controller Color for Color
- On the 2008 Chevy Colorado with a factory tow package, the wiring for a brake controller is located under the dash, to the left of the brake pedal. The wire bundle should have a white tag on it that also lists the functions of each wire. You will need to match the wires to the brake controller by function, not by color.
On the brake controller, white is ground, black is 12 volt power, blue goes out to the trailer connector, and red is in from the stop light circuit on the brake switch.
It
view full answer... - Hardwire Trailer Brake Controller Installation on a 2001 Dodge Van 1500
- Installing a brake controller on your 2001 Dodge 1500 Van is a hardwire installation. In addition to the brake controller and the wiring harness like # 20127, you may also need a 4 and 7 Way Installation kit, # ETBC7 depending on what type of trailer connector is on the van.
If the van already has a 7-Way trailer connector, you will need to add a brake controller installation kit, # 5506. On the back of the 7-Way connector, find the wire that is coming out of the 7:00 position. Cut the wire s
view full answer... - Tow Package Wiring Colors and Functions for a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 New Body Style
- the wire bundle you are looking for looks like the one in the FAQ article I have linked for you. It is located under the left side of the instrument panel to the left of the steering column. The wiring colors should be as follows:
Red/black wire = 12 volt power
White = ground
Light blue/white = input from brake switch
Dark blue = output to trailer brakes
Orange = not used
There also may be some connections that you will need to make under the hood to make everything fully functional.
view full answer... - Voyager Brake Controller Does Not Show Voltage with Manual Override Applied
- The way a brake controller works is sort of like you described. In many proportion controllers, you actually have to be moving to get voltage when applying the brake but will see voltage when applying the manual override. The controller actually senses how much the vehicle is decelerating using an internal sensor. It does not monitor how hard you press the pedal but it does sense when you are pressing the brake. Of course usually how hard you press the brake does effect the rate of deceleration.
view full answer... - Adding a 6-Way Trailer Connector and Brake Controller to a 2007 Ford Explorer with Factory 4-Way
- In order to install a brake controller and a 6-Way connector on a 2007 Ford Explorer that has a factory 4-Way you will need 2 items. First you will need the brake controller itself. I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885, because it is one of our best selling controllers because it is easy to use and set up.
Then you will need installation kit # ETBC6. This kit is needed because all of the wiring is not ran to the back of an Explorer that has the 4-Way. I have included some links that will help
view full answer... - Installing a Brake Controller on a 1988 GMC K 1500 Pickup Truck
- GM did not install a brake controller adapter port in the C/K series pick up trucks, so there are no plug-in adapters that will allow you to install a brake controller without having to run wires.
If you already have 7-way connector at the rear of your truck, then you could use wiring kit # 5505 if your trailer has 2 or 4 brake assemblies or wiring kit # 5506 if your trailer has 6 or 8 brake assemblies. These kits include a duplex wire to run a brake output circuit from the brake controller t
view full answer... - Parts Needed to Install a Brake Controller in a 2013 Ford Edge
- You will need to hardwire in a brake controller on your 2013 Ford Edge.
First you will need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way. For that you will need an Brake Controller Installation Kit # ETBC7. This comes with everything you will need to install a fully functional 7-way and brake controller in your vehicle. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product for you to check out.
If you do not have a brake controller picked out yet check out the Prodigy P2 Brake Con
view full answer... - How to Find the Brake Switch Wire to Install a Brake Controller in a 2013 Ford Edge
- Traditionally (at least from 2004 to 2007) Ford has used a green wire on the brake switch to attach to the red wire on a brake controller. However, the only way to know for sure is to test the wires using a circuit tester like # 3808. Manufacturers can use any wire they want and if they run out of the normal color they use, they grab whatever is available to keep the assembly line moving.
To test the wire use the circuit tester to probe the wires. You need the one that only shows power when
view full answer...
