How to Install a Brake Controller in a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

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Question:

I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 5.7l 1500. It came with a four pin trailer light connector from the factory. I purchased a Reese Brakeman Compact controller with four wire adapter to plug into the brake module under the dash. I also purchased the 7 pin female connector and installed on my truck. I am having difficulty determining how to wire the remaining wires on the 7 pin connector. I have a few questions regarding this: Using the adapter from the controller to the brake module under the dash, do I need to still wire the 12V from the battery to the 7 pin plug? Where on my truck to I land the blue brake wire from the 7 pin plug? Is the ground on the 7 pin necessary since the four pin is I am connecting to is grounded?

asked by: Rick

0

Expert Reply:

Start by plugging in the brake control adapter # 3020-P into the OEM harness located under the steering wheel, just to the right of the emergency brake pedal. Then find a place to mount the brake controller. It should be in a position that is easily accessible (See Picture). Connect the wires.

Usually located under the driver's side of the vehicle, right behind the front wheel well is a wire connector. As you can see in the picture there are more wires on the hood side (right side) of the connector than the hitch side. Using a circuit tester you can locate the wire that supplies power to the trailer brakes. Usually it is the blue one. Using a quick-lock, run a wire lead from the blue wire to the back of the vehicle. Enough wire will be needed to make it from the front wheel well to the end of the truck bed. The wire lead will connect to the blue wire on the 7-Way or 6-Way trailer adapter. After mounting the new trailer adapter and plugging it into the original 4-pole connector, installation is complete.

If a hot lead is needed, it would need to be connected to the battery via a circuit breaker # 9510. That wire would then connect to the black wire on the trailer connector adapter.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

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Answer 1

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Answer 2

We have everything you need to install a brake controller on your 2004 Dodge Ram. Since your truck does not have any factory trailer wiring, we will want to install a trailer connector first because the brake controller will tie into the trailer…

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Answer 3

Yes, you will. The Reese Pro Round Bar Weight Distribution System item #RE34FR has built in sway control that will keep your trailer in line with your Ram when you make sudden moves or get passed on the highway by a semi. This system has a tongue…

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Answer 4

The distance from the hitch pin hole to the beginning of the reinforcing gusset of the shank provided with the #RE34FR Reese Weight Distribution Kit is 3-7/8 inches, as shown in the provided photo.

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

If the unloaded tongue weight of your 2015 Evergreen Ascend trailer is around 300 pounds, I don't think the Reese Pro Round Bar Weight Distribution #RE44FR is going to be the best option for you. This will have a minimum tongue weight rating of…

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Answer 7

Possibly; to determine if the Reese Pro Round Bar Weight Distribution #RE34FR is correct for your Heartland North Trail you need to know its loaded tongue weight. You can get this with a scale like the Tongue Weight Scale #e99044. So long as when the…

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Answer 8

I recommend using the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution #FA92-00-0800 for your Forest River Rockwood HW296 pop up camper. This hitch is rated for a tongue weight of 400-800lbs and maximum trailer weight up to 8,000lbs. It uses trunnion style weight…

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Answer 9

The Reese Weight Distribution System w Shank - Round Bar part #RE34FR does not utilize friction sway control. It is simply a weight distribution system that will redistribute the weight of your setup with the spring bars which will help to reduce…

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Answer 10

Thanks for sending us a picture! The 10 x 2-1/4 inch trailer brake shoe pads part #BP04-095 you referenced only works with the manual adjust brake assembly. What you need is the left hand shoe lining #K71-681 and/or right hand shoe lining #K71-682 to…

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Answer 11

Yes, it is very possible to install/fit a 7-way trailer connector on a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. I first recommend looking under the vehicle for a square ten pin connector. This (if present) will be located behind the rear bumper near the spare tire and…

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Answer 12

On my 2004 Dodge Ram (which would be the same as your 2003) the factory trailer connector plug split off from a larger wiring harness on the inboard side of the drivers side frame rail near the rear bumper. There should be a rectangular connector…

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How to Install a Brake Controller in a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

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