Installing a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2006 Ford F-150 with Factory 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

Updated 03/29/2011 | Published 03/27/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Tow Package Vehicle Wiring Harness with 7-Way Trailer Connector

(91)

$76.33

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1798)

$19.83

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

(3448)

$124.07

Question:

I have a 2006 F150 with a factory 4-way, and a tandem axles trailer with electric brakes. What parts do I need to connect both truck and trailer?

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

If you just want to run the lighting functions on the trailer, you can just use an adapter like Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole and 4 Pole, # 37185. Plug in your 4-Way flat to the back and tape up the rest of the wires with the exception of the white ground wire (attaches to the vehicle frame).

But I recommend wiring the truck with a 7-Way and a brake controller so you can use the electric brakes on the trailer using # ETBC7. For a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, # 90885. Instead of taping off the loose wires in the trailer connector, you will need to hardwire them. The purple wire will attach to a reverse light wire behind one of the tail lights.

Attach the black wire to the black wire in the included duplex cable. Attach the blue wire to the white wire in the cable. Then route both under the truck avoiding areas that may pinch or burn the wiring. The white wire will get routed into the cab and connect to the brake controller blue wire on the # 3035-P wiring harness. The black wire will attach to the positive battery terminal via a 40 amp circuit breaker.

Your truck will have a brake controller port that you can plug # 3035-P into. Sever the blue wire and attach it to the white wire you ran. The plug can then be inserted into the port under the dash.

expert reply by: Michael H