Draw-Tite Activator II Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Time Delayed
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford

Draw-Tite Activator II Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Time Delayed
part number: 5500

Electronic controller activates electric trailer brakes with a preset intensity when you apply the brakes in your vehicle. Digital display is simple to read. Power output and braking aggressiveness are easily adjustable. Includes manual override.

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
• Digital display is easy to read
• 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 4 axles (8 brake assemblies)
  • Designed for use with electric brakes only
• Dimensions: 3-3/16" wide x 6-1/8" long x 1-1/4" tall
• Limited lifetime warranty

Time-Delayed Braking

The Activator II 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 II 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 II 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, one of the following will be required:

20-Amp circuit breaker (9506P - sold separately) for 2- to 4-brake applications

30-Amp circuit breaker (38630 - sold separately) for 6- to 8-brake applications

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.

5500 Draw-Tite Act II Time-Delay Trailer Brake Control

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford
part number: 3034-P

Install your electric brake controller quickly and easily with this custom wiring adapter. Simply plug one end of the adapter into your brake controller and then plug the other end into the built-in harness beneath your vehicle's dash.

Features:

• Wiring adapter eases installation of your electric brake controller
• Custom connector end plugs into the built-in port beneath the dash of your vehicle
• Other end plugs into the back of your electric brake controller
  • Compatible time-delayed brake controllers: Draw-Tite Activator I (5100), Draw-Tite Activator II (5500), Draw-Tite Activator III (5520) and Tekonsha PowerTrac (39523)
  • Compatible proportional brake controllers: Tekonsha Prodigy (90185), Tekonsha P2 (90885), Tekonsha P3 (90195), Tekonsha Primus IQ (TK90160) and Tekonsha Voyager (39510)
• Limited 1-year warranty

Installation of Tekonsha Brake Controller Adapter

This adapter plugs into the connector beneath your vehicle's dashboard. To reach the connector, first locate the notch in the access panel in the center of the dash, near the passenger side. Using a trim panel puller, carefully pry the panel out and undo the locking tabs to remove the panel. You will find the mating connector behind this portion of you dashboard.

To install your electric brake controller you need to connect the wiring of the controller to your vehicle. Certain manufacturers offer pre-wired options, typically known as tow packages, wherein these wires are run for you from the dash to the trailer connector on the back of your vehicle. Often, a brake controller wiring harness is included with your tow package. This harness plugs into a port beneath your dash and connects to the four wires of the brake controller. If, however, you have a brake controller with a plug in place of the four loose wires, you can use the Tekonsha adapter.

This adapter requires no hardwiring. It is designed to plug directly into your electric brake controller for the simplest installation possible. Because there are no wires to connect, installation is not permanent. You can unplug and remove your brake controller at any time and securely stow it away.

3034-P Tekonsha Brake Control Wiring Adapter with 2 Plugs

Ask the Experts about this Brake Controller
Do you have a question about this Brake Controller?

• Draw Tite Activator 2 Displays Decimal or Dot and Does Nothing When Manual Switch is Activated
  
• According to the instructions, when you have a decimal or dot displayed, it signals that there is no trailer connected. Without a trailer connected, there is no complete brake circuit so pressing the manual switch will do nothing. Try connecting a trailer first and following the setup portion of the instructions. In case you do not have your instructions, I have included a link to them below. I attached an FAQ page on brake controllers that you might find informative to the right.
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• Malfunctioning Draw-Tite Activator II Brake Controller on a 1997 Ford F-150
  
• Here is the typical brake controller connection method. Red wire to cold terminal of brake switch(cold terminal gets 12v only when brake pedal is pressed). Blue connects to trailer brakes. White is ground, and Black goes to a 12v power source. We offer a wiring adapter, part # 20260 that would plug into the OEM socket under the dash, and the bare leads on the adapter would wire directly to your controller.
  view full answer...


• Parts Needed for Brake System to Flat Tow a 2006 Jeep Unlimited Behind a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  
• We have just the system you need. The RoadMaster Even Brake Portable Braking System, part # RM-9400, can quickly be attached to the brake pedal and does all of the braking for your towed car proportionately to the motorhome.
  view full answer...


• What Does The 8.0 Display Code Mean on # 5500 Activator Brake Controller by Draw-Tite
  
• When this brake controller shows an output when there is no trailer attached it usually means there is a wiring problem that needs to be addressed. If the output code is not showing without the trailer hooked up and then appears when the trailer is hooked up, the trailer is mis-wired and you will need to make sure the trailer brake wiring is connected to the proper terminal and that there are no problems with the wiring or magnets in the trailer brakes. The terminal inside your 7-way trailer
  view full answer...


• What Does the SC Error Code Mean on the Activator II Trailer Brake Controller
  
• On the 2-8 Electric Brake Controller, item # 5500, the code SC indicates that the brake controller output circuit is short circuited at some point between the point where the blue wire exits the rear of the controller and where it ultimately ends at each brake assembly at the brake magnet. The most common situation that causes this is a damaged or corroded trailer connector, either the socket on the vehicle or the plug on the trailer. Carefully examine the metal pins on the plug and socket fo
  view full answer...


• How to Install Brake Controller Wiring on a 2004 Nissan Armada
  
• You are looking for a 6 pin connector located near the emergency brake pedal. It is usually taped to another wiring harness. You will need a wiring adapter, part # 20266 to complete the connection.
  view full answer...


• Recommended Hitch, Brake Controller and Towing Accessories for 2006 Chevy Express Van
  
• For a hitch, I would recommend the Draw-Tite Class III receiver hitch, part # 75189. This hitch offers a 5000 lb towing/ 500 lb tongue weight capacity. For greater capacity, a Curt Class IV is available, part # 14090. The Class IV offers a 12,000 lb towing/ 1200 lb tongue capacity. The hitch capacity could be higher than the actual capacity of the vehicle itself, please check the owners manual for the stated capacity of the vehicle. I would recommend a proportional brake controller like the T
  view full answer...


• Why is my Brake Controller Reading Overload and How Can I Find Where the Problem is?
  
• If your controller, item # 5500, is reading overload without the trailer connected then that means there is a short in the blue trailer feed wire on the vehicle. If the controller is reading overload only when the trailer is connected then there is a short or overload in the trailer wiring or breaks. Use a circuit tester, item # 3808 if you need one, to test the wiring to find out where the short is. If it is on the trailer end and you cannot find a wiring problem then the problem may be
  view full answer...


• Wiring # 5500 Draw-Tite Activator II Brake Controller On 2009 Ford F-250 and F-350
  
• If you are hard wiring the Activator II electronic brake controller, item # 5500,on your 2009 Ford Super Duty, then you will need to use a 30 amp circuit breaker, item # PK54530, to wire the black wire on the brake controller to the battery. If you are using the factory wiring harness you will need to use the Brake Controller Wiring Adapter for Pre-Wired 2008 Ford Super Duty Vehicles, item # 20270, (also works on 2009). Vehicles not equipped with factory trailer tow package, may require fuse
  view full answer...


• Will The Activator II Brake Controller, Part # 5500 Work on a 2010 Toyota Tundra
  
• Brake controllers are not vehicle specific, they can be used on virtually any vehicle. The Activator II Electronic Brake Controller, part # 5500 would work just fine on your Tundra. If your factory installed tow package includes the 7-way trailer connector on the rear bumper, the controller can be plugged into the connector under the dash using a Brake Controller Wiring Adapter, part # 3040-P. If the factory tow package consists of the 4-pole connector that supports the lighting functions
  view full answer...


• Trailer Brakes Not Working When Moving Activator II from a 2000 to a 2008 Toyota Tundra
  
• Since you have the factory 7-Way and brake controller wiring, I would imagine everything is correct on the truck. Additionally, using the custom fit brake control harness, part # 20265, eliminates concern of the brake controller being wired incorrectly unless the harness is faulty which is very unlikely. I would use the instructions for 20265 to make sure that the pins are in the proper location. I have linked to these instructions below. The single decimal point, as you may already know, ind
  view full answer...


• Brake Controller not Functioning When the Brake Pedal is Pressed on a 2004 Chevy Suburban
  
• Based on what you have described, it sounds like that there is a problem with the internal circuitry of the brake controller, or a fuse in the power distribution box on your 2004 Chevy Suburban. In the power distribution box, there is a separate fuse for the brake controller stoplight switch wire. This is to protect your vehicles brake light circuitry. If this fuse has blown, then it could also cause the problem. I have included a link below that shows the fuses and their locations in the po
  view full answer...


• Brake Controller Puts Out Voltage Through Blue Wire with No Brake Applied but Brakes Do Not Engage
  
• You will need to test the brake controller wiring using a multimeter (something that can measure a minimal amount of volts). Check the red wire connection. It should be attached to the wire on the stop light switch that only has voltage when the brake pedal is pressed. If your red wire is connected to a wire that carries even a few volts when the brake pedal is not pressed, it is not the correct wire. Make sure that the white ground wire is attached to a clean metal surface and that it is fre
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Poor Brakes on a Triple Axle Trailer with One Wheel Locking Up
  
• Wire size, brake shoes, hubs or magnets could be the problem here. You will need to inspect the trailer brakes to see what is causing your situation. We have a video (see link) that will help you to determine the problem and I will outline how to check things for you. If the brakes on one or more axles are worn significantly more than on other axles you may need to replace the brakes. In this situation I would replace all of the brake shoes at the same time to ensure even braking (see link).
  view full answer...


• Wiring a Brake Controller on a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LS
  
• Yes, you will be able to install the Draw-Tite Activator II Brake Controller, item # 5500, on your 1995 Chevrolet 2500 Silverado LS. You will not need the Universal Brake Control Wiring Adapter 1999-02 Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, item # 20263, on the 1995 model because there is no factory port under the dash to plug the adapter in to. Chevrolet did not start putting the brake controller wiring port under the dash until 1999 so you will need to hard wire the brake controller on your 1995 model truc
  view full answer...


• Wiring the # 5500 Draw-Tite Activator on a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  
• Wiring a brake controller no the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban should not pose that big of an obstacle. The wires for the brake controller are under the dash and fairly easy to find (see link) and there is a plug, located above the spare tire, which is used to install the 7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness, item # 30955, at the rear of the vehicle. If your vehicle does not have the factory wiring already connected you will also have to make two connections under the hood to complete the brake controller
  view full answer...


• Installing Activator II Brake Controller Part # 5100 on 2007 Chevy Silverado
  
• In the 2007 model year, GM offered two Silverado models. The Silverado Classic used the older body style from the previous model year. To install a brake controller on this vehicle, a wiring adapter like part # 20264 is used. If you have the factory supplied wiring adapter, the wire colors are different as you have found. The red wire on the factory adapter connects to the black brake controller wire, the light blue wire on the harness attaches to the red controller wire, the black harness wire
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Activator II Brake Controller Only Shows Dot when Trailer Connect to 2002 Dodge Ram
  
• For the Activator II, # 5500, when the unit only displays the dot when the brakes are pressed and when the manual override is used means that there is no connection between the brake controller and the electric trailer brakes. On the brake controller, make sure the output is not at the lowest setting as this could cause this problem. Next, check the blue wire coming out of the brake controller. Using a circuit tester like the Quickee # 3808, probe the blue wire and then step on the brake. If
  view full answer...


• Reese Pilot Brake Controller on 2000 Ford F250 Not Reading Trailer
  
• You did a great job troubleshooting here. Trying a different trailer as well as a different controller did a pretty good job of ruling the trailer or the controller out as being the problem. The newer controller that you tried sent a small amount of voltage along the brake output circuit looking for the trailer connection, and did not find it. The most likely culprit is a corroded or damaged trailer connector on your truck. Take a look at the pins in the connector. If you can see any green co
  view full answer...


• Brakes Lock Up On Horse Trailer When Connected To 2005 Ford F250 With Valley Brake Controller
  
• It sounds like you are going to need to check the wiring on your whole towing setup. You will need to use a circuit tester like the Quickee Circuit Tester, # 3808, and want to start by checking the brake controller wires to make sure they are connected properly. You should have power in to the controller on the black wire and power leaving the controller on the blue wire when the brake pedal is pressed or the manual slide knob is activated. The red wire should have power on it only when the
  view full answer...


• Does Factory Brake Control Need to be Removed to Install a New Brake Controller in a 2009 Ford F-350
  
• Your factory brake controller is actually using the same port that the # 3034-P brake control wiring harness will plug into, so you will need to remove the plug from the back side of the factory unit to install the Tekonsha controller, but you would not need to remove it completely. Once you unplug the factory unit, you will get an error code in your dash. To remedy this, you can try removing the battery cable for three minutes and replacing it, but if this does not reset the error you will
  view full answer...


• Will a Tekonsha Wire Harness for Ford Fit a 2010 Ford E-150 Cargo Van and Pilot Brake Controller
  
• If your 2010 Ford E-150 cargo van has the factory installed 7-Way connector at the rear of the van then all you will need is a brake controller and the Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Ford, item # 3034-P, that you selected to complete your installation. If your Reese Pilot controller has blunt cut wires coming out of the controller you can use the Brake Controller Wiring Adapter for Pre-Wired Ford Vehicles, item # 20270, which comes with blunt cut wires and butt-connectors to attach to your brake
  view full answer...


• Setting Up a 2009 Ford E-350 Van without Factory Towing Package for Brake Controller Wiring
  
• There are 3 options from the manufacturer for the 2009 E-350 Ford Van. Factory 7-Way trailer wiring, factory 4-Way trailer wiring, and no existing trailer wiring. I will go over all three since you did not indicate which one your vehicle has. If you have the factory 7-Way trailer wiring, you will be able to use the 3034-P wiring harness that you selected to easily install your prodigy brake controller. When looking for a port under the dash, it will be near the top of the instrument cluster,
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Activator III Brake Controller Installed on 2012 Ford F350
  
• I spoke with one of my contacts at Tekonsha, who tells me that if this is occurring while the trailer is NOT connected to the vehicle, there is a short circuit somewhere on the brake controller output circuit. Sever the blue wire exiting the rear of the controller (be sure to leave enough room to reconnect it if need be). If this fixes the problem, you have confirmed the short. If this is the case, take a length of 10-1-1 wire, connect one end to the blue wire leading to the controller. Rout
  view full answer...


• P3 Trailer Brake Controller on a 2011 Ford E-250 Shows Open Ground Error with Van Running
  
• The open ground error that the P3 is displaying means that it has lost its ground connection to the vehicle battery. This could be a faulty ground inherent in the wiring on the vehicle where # 3034-P plugs in. To see if that is the issue you can bring out a separate car battery if you have one available and sever the white wire on the harness and connect it instead to the negative terminal on the second battery. If that stops the error then you know the issue is a bad ground. You could get s
  view full answer...


• Which Wiring Harness for Tekonsha Prodigy Controller #90185 in a Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis
  
• This wiring adapter, part # 3034-P, is compatible with the Tekonsha PRODIGY Brake Controller # 90185. On the Ford F-53 motor home chassis for years 1999 through 2011 the trailer brake controller connector is located behind the instrument panel (behind the steering column). It may be necessary to remove the instrument panel to gain access to this connector. On 2012 models Ford relocated the connector to under the dash behind the parking brake release.
  view full answer...


• Wiring Diagram for a Tekonsha Prodigy Trailer Brake Controller on a 2002 Ford F-250 Super Cab
  
• The wires on the Tekonsha Prodigy # 90185 or the P2 # 90885 are as follows: White is ground Black is 12 volt power Blue is out to trailer brakes Red is in from stop light switch The 2002 Ford F-250 will have a factory port in which to plug in a brake controller harness # 3035-P. I have included a link to the installation instructions and a video showing a typical installation for you. The instructions also have a diagram of what the factory side plug will look like as well as the functi
  view full answer...


• Parts Needed to Install a P2 Trailer Brake Controller on a 2012 Ford F-250 with Factory Controller
  
• You are correct about the factory brake controller on a 2012 Ford F-250. It will not work with electric over hydraulic trailer braking systems. You will need to use the # 3034-P harness with the P2 # 90885. I have included a link to the installation details for you. Also, by disconnecting the factory controller it will send a fault code to the dash. To have the fault removed I have included a link to an FAQ that explains what you will need to do.
  view full answer...


• Brake Controller Plug-In Harness Recommendation for a 2011 Ford E-450
  
• I just checked with Tekonsha and they confirmed that the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter # 3034-P that you referenced will work on your e-450 Class C motorhome. If you are also looking for a brake controller check out our Tekonsha P2 Brake Controller # 90885. This is one of our best selling controllers because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup.
  view full answer...


• Parts Needed to Install a Trailer Brake Controller on a 1999 Ford E-350 Econoline Van
  
• In order to install a brake controller on your 1999 Ford E-350, the first thing you are going to need is a 4-Way trailer connector # 118344. I have included a link to the isntallation instructions for you to view. Next you will need a 4 and 7-Way installation kit # ETBC7. This will provide the 7-Way, while retaining the use of the 4-Way, and all of the wiring needed to install the brake controller. I have included some links that will explain the ETBC7 installation for you. And finally you
  view full answer...


• Parts Needed to Install a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2005 Ford F-350 Cab and Chassis
  
• If your 2005 Ford F-350 has a factory installed 7-Way trailer connector then all you will need is a brake controller and the correct wiring harness. For a brake controller I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885. This is one of our most popular controllers because it is easy to set up and use and it is reliable. It is a proportional controller and can be mounted a full 360 degrees in the direction of travel. It is also compatible with electric over hydraulic braking systems and regular electric
  view full answer...