Replacing Wiring on Old Livestock Trailer with Electric Brakes

Updated 09/25/2017 | Published 09/23/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector with Molded Cable - Trailer End - 8' Long - RV Standard

(925)

$48.88

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

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

(213)

$17.97

Trailer Wiring Junction Box

(821)

$31.95

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

(2763)

$159.97

Ring Terminal -16-14 Gauge - 1/4" Ring ID - Qty. 1

(69)

$1.21

Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/8" Ring ID

(69)

$1.67

Question:

Hi, i have an old livestock trailer that has two sets of wiring. Both need replaced. One is a 4 pin + battery for emergency brake. The other is an integrated brake controller. I just want to clear out all the old wiring and start over. I will likely use two different trucks with this trailer.... A 2010 dodge ram 1500 and a 2016 dodge ram 2500. The 2500 has an integrated brake controller. The ram 1500 does not i dont think. What is the simplest way to rewire this old beast? I am not even sure the brake hubs work anymore and may need a whole new set up... any advice would be appreciated.

asked by: Doug R

Expert Reply:

To replace the wiring in your old livestock trailer and install a 7-Way connector to use with your tow vehicles, I recommend using a 7-Way harness like the Hopkins 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector # H20046. When installing the connector and harness on the trailer, you will want to use a junction box # 38656 and 10 gauge wire # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot), which will help protect the connection points and also give the installation a more professional look. The 10 gauge wire will be needed to run the brake output circuit from the junction box to the brake assemblies.

When wiring the electric brakes, each magnet will have 2 wires coming from it. One wire grounds to the trailer frame and the other will attach to the brake output circuit. You can then use ring terminals like # DW05705-1 for the wiring from the trailer and # DW05702-1 for the wiring on the pigtail. This will allow you to connect the wires to the posts in the junction box.

I have attached a couple installation videos that you might find very helpful.

If you do need a brake controller for your 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, I highly recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 # 90885. This is an excellent, proportional controller that will activate the trailer's brakes at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your truck. You will just need to add the Plug-In Adapter # 3021-P to install the controller. One end will connect to the controller itself and the other end will connect to the built-in port beneath the truck's dash.