Brake Controller Recommendation for a 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually and 5th Wheel Trailer

Updated 09/14/2015 | Published 09/12/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Activator IV Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 4 Axles - Time Delayed

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$103.31

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

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$36.84

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Dodge

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$18.66

Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole

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$61.55

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

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$159.19

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

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Question:

I have 1 1999 dodge 3500 dully cumming diesel automatic trans with an exhaust brake. what kind of controller is best for me. pulling a 5th wheel weighing 10800 lbs

asked by: Dave C

Expert Reply:

For your 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually and 5th wheel trailer I recommend using a proportional brake controller. A proportional controller will apply the trailer brakes in proportion to how much the truck is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on the trailer and truck brakes.

The proportional controller I recommend is the P2 # 90885 because its easy to set up and use and it is reliable.

If your truck came with a factory installed 7-Way connector then you will also need wiring harness # 3020-P to plug into the controller. If your truck came with a factory 4-Way then you will need to add a 7-Way using # 37185 and some additional wire # 10-1-1 sold by the foot. On trucks that came with just a factory 4-Way the brake (blue) wire does not run all the way back to the 4-pole at the rear; it stops at the connector that is located under the driver's side wheel well. In order to finalize the installation you must splice into this wire and continue it back to the plug and connect to the blue wire on 37185.

If your truck does not have a trailer connector at all you will first need to install a 4-Way using # 118329. Then you would install a 7-Way using installation kit # ETBC7 that is going to include the parts needed to install the brake controller. With this set up you would not use # 3020-P like you would for a factory 4 or 7-Way connector. I have included some links that show and explain the ETBC7 installation for you.