What is Needed to Install a Brake Controller and 6-Way Trailer Connector on a 2008 Honda Pilot  

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Expert Reply:

Since your trailer has a 6-Way connector installed you most likely have one of 3 wiring situations on your trailer. The first, and most likely, is that your trailer has electric brakes and a power wire to maintain a battery for auxiliary functions. The second is that you have the same power wire and backup lights at the rear of the trailer. The third, and least likely but possible, is that your trailer has hydraulic surge brakes and a coupler with electric backup lockout.

If your trailer has electric brakes then you will need to install the Brake Controller 6 and 4 Way Installation Kit, item # ETBC6, and a brake controller like the Prodigy P2, item # 90885, on your 2008 Honda Pilot, along with the # 118336 4-Way harness that you mentioned.

We have installation instructions (see link) that detail the complete installation of the 6-Way and 7-Way brake controller installation kits and we have a wiring page (see link) that shows how the wires are attached to the 6-Way connector. You will also need to make sure that the 6-Way connector on your trailer is wired to match the wiring on the vehicle side connector.

If you do not have brakes on your trailer you will need to pull one of the hubs off the trailer and record the inner and outer bearing numbers, and the grease seal number. You will also need the trailer wheel bolt pattern and wheel size. We have a instruction page for measuring trailer wheels and bolt patterns for you to review. With this information I can recommend a hub and drum and a brake assembly that will work with your trailer wheel, bolt pattern, and spindle.

Let me know what configuration you have and I will be glad to make a more specific recommendation.

expert reply by: Robert G

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Tuyen N.

7/9/2010

I have few more questions: 1. Can I get Tekonsha P-3 instead of P-2? 2. My trailer has 6-pin poles and I got #118336. Now, I am using the cable/adapter 6 to 4 pin (comes with trailer) to connect to my TV. The item # ETBC6 has 6 pins. What connector do I need to connect from trailer to ETBC6? 3. The most important question: how to wire them? I know you guys have video instruction but can you walk me through with my Honda Pilot?

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Bob G.

7/9/2010

I will be glad to help walk you through the installation of a brake controller and the # ETBC6 installation kit. The P-3, item # 90195, is also an excellent brake controller. It has more functions than the P2, item # 90885, like diagnostics and boost settings for multiple towing situations. The reason I recommended the P2 is that the one complaint I have had about the P-3 is that it has so many functions that it is sometimes a bit harder to use than the P2, which is more intuitive. Here is an explanation of how to install the # ETBC6 on your vehicle. You will first need to install the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector, item # 118336, on your Pilot. You will then plug the 4-way connector into the 4-way connector on the Adapter 4 Pole to 6 Pole and 4 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter, item # 37175, included in the # ETBC6 Kit. Use a wire tie to keep the two 4-Way connectors connected once the installation is complete. Next, ground the white wire with a ring terminal on it, on the 6-Way connector, to a clean, paint and rust-free spot on the vehicle frame with a self-tapping screw (included in ETBC6 kit) You will then need to run the blue wire for the brake controller output and the red power wire to the front of the vehicle. Attach the blue wire to the white wire in the included Jacketed 2 Wire, item # 10-2-1. Attach the red wire to the black wire in the same jacketed wire. Now, run the jacketed two wire that you attached to the red and blue wires to the engine compartment using the included wire ties to keep the wire secure and away from any moving or hot parts that could damage the wire. The black wire is connected to the silver auxiliary stud on the included 40-amp circuit breaker, item # PK54540, and then from the battery post on the circuit breaker to the positive post of the vehicle battery. Run the white wire in the jacketed two wire into the vehicle cab and connect it to the blue wire exiting the back of the brake controller. Now, inside the vehicle connect a new length of jacketed two wire to the brake controller. The white wire is connected to the white wire exiting the brake controller and the black wire is connected to the black wire exiting the brake controller. Run these two wires through the fire wall and connect the white wire to the battery negative terminal. Connect the black wire to the silver auxiliary post on the included 20-amp circuit breaker, item # PK54520. Connect the battery post on the circuit breaker to the positive battery terminal with a piece of 10-gauge wire. Now there is one connection left to make. Use a circuit tester, item # PTW2993 if needed, to find the brake pedal wire that has power only when the brake pedal is pressed. This wire must not have any residual voltage when the brake pedal is not activated. Once this wire is found connect the red wire exiting the rear of the brake controller to this wire. Following these steps will allow you to successfully install a brake controller and 6-Way connector at the rear of your vehicle.

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