Parts Needed to Install Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Controller on RV with Ford F53 Chassis  

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The Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller # TK90160 is a great choice for sending power to and controlling your trailer's brakes from your RV. It is a proportional brake controller which means it will activate the trailer's brakes at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your RV. This is compatible with the Ford F-53 chassis.

I recommend adding the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter # 3035-P for easy installation. Because you have the built-in connector under your dash, this adapter can be used to simplify installation of the Primus IQ. One end of the adapter will plug directly into the brake controller and the other end will plug into the mentioned harness under the dash.

The 4-flat connector on the back of your RV is where you will have a couple of options. The Hopkins 4-Pole to 7-Pole Adapter # 37185 you mentioned in your question will work for providing a 7-way for the trailer to connect with, but the remaining 3 wires from the Adapter will still need to be utilized for use with a brake controller.

Typically when a vehicle has the built-in connector for trailer brakes under the dash like yours does, it will also have a rear 7-way connector instead of the 4-flat that you have. The fact that your RV has this built in connector means that the necessary wires to provide the fully functional 7-way connector are somewhere in your RV, but were for whatever reason cut off before reaching the rear of the RV. I recommend seeing if you can find where these are - they may be hidden along the underside of the chassis. It might help to contact your local Ford dealer to see if they have any ideas of where they might be. If you are able to find the wires and they were run far enough back, you can simply connect them to the extra wires on the Hopkins Adapter # 37185 and you will be good to go.

Another option if you do not want to do that or if the wires cannot be found, is to use the Universal Installation Kit # ETBC7, which will include everything that is needed to install and hardwire the brake controller and required 7-way connector to your RV. You will most likely need some extra duplex wire like # 10-2-1 to reach the necessary length. If you do go this route, you will no longer need # 3035-P wiring harness as the necessary wires for this connection are included in the kit. I have included installation details and a helpful article on this process for your review.

expert reply by: Chris R

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