Installing a Brake Controller in a 2018 Winnebago Forza 34T

Updated 07/30/2018 | Published 07/28/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6648)

$165.67

Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot

(323)

$3.60

Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

(159)

$57.18

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$13.03

Question:

I have a 2018 Winnebago Forza 34T which is already equiped with the 7 pin trailer plug. The coach has air brakes. Which wiring harnes would I need to install the Prodigy P3?

asked by: Charles A

Expert Reply:

After checking numerous wiring diagrams for both the chassis and the body of the 2018 Winnebago Forza 34T I was able to determine that the coach was built on a Freightliner chassis. There isn't a plug-in type of brake controller for this chassis though so a brake controller will have to be partially hardwired in.

While searching for the brake controller wiring on the chassis I was unable to find anything labeled as such. Unless Winnebago techs know of where wiring for a brake controller is located the brake controller wires will need to be ran to the battery, brake switch, and 7-Way manually.

The brake controller white wire is the ground and needs to connect to the negative battery terminal. The black wire is 12-volt power in and will need to connect to the positive battery terminal via a 30-amp circuit breaker. Blue is output to the trailer brakes and will need to connect to the back of the 7-Way in the 7 o'clock position. And the red wire is input from the brake switch and connects to the cold side of the switch. You can use wiring kit # 5506 but you will likely need additional wire # 10-2-1, sold by the foot, because of the length of the coach.

A couple of things to consider: 1) to find the cold side of the brake switch use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the brake switch wires. You need the one that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. If it has power at any other time, such as with the headlights or turn signals on, then it is not the correct wire. 2) if your coach has an exhaust brake that lights up the brake lights when active then it will likely apply the trailer brakes as well.

expert reply by: Michael H