Installing a Trailer Brake Controller on a 2012 Dodge Caravan with Tow Package

Updated 02/14/2013 | Published 04/18/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Replacement Brake Control Plug-In Harness for Tekonsha and Draw-Tite Brake Controller 12" Long

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10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 30 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

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Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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Question:

My van came with a factory installed tow package, build code AHT including a 7-pin receiver code XEY. A local hitch shop is unable to install a brake controller due to the factory wiring configuration. Is it not just a simple procedure as demonstrated in your installation video on the 2008 Dodge Caravan? The installer at the hitch shop has lots of experience installing brake controllers, but the factory wiring seems to be a real hang-up.

asked by: Douglas G

Expert Reply:

I spoke with a colleague who worked at Chrysler and he stated that they do not put the trailer hitch and 7-Way wiring on the Grand Caravan at the factory. That is something that the dealer installs. In any event here is what you will need to do. The brake controller will need to be hardwired into the vehicle.

The white wire on the brake controller will need to get connected directly to the negative terminal on the vehicle battery. The black wire will need to connect to a 30 amp circuit breaker, # PK54530, mounted under the hood and then from the circuit breaker to the positive battery terminal.

The red wire will connect to the cold side of the brake switch. Using a circuit tester like # PTW2993, probe the wires on the brake switch above the brake pedal until you find the one that carries a signal only when the brake pedal is pressed. If you find a wire that also shows a signal with the turn signals on or the running lights on it is not the correct wire.

Last, you will need to route the brake controller blue wire through the firewall, under the vehicle avoiding hot and moving parts that could damage the wire, all the way back to the 7-Way. There should be a wire on the back of the 7-Way attached to the 7:00 position. Cut this wire several inches back from the connector and splice to it the wire you ran back from the front of the vehicle to complete installation.

For extra wire, you can use # 10-1-1 sold in 1 foot increments.

expert reply by: Michael H

John S.

2/5/2013

hi,dont I also have to run black wire to trailer white?. I already have flat plugbrakes,signal runninglights to connect to trailer wiring?.Only 1 30amp breaker not another 20amp with wire to trailer. Hope this is understandable? thanks, John

Patrick B.

2/14/2013

If all you have is a 4-flat trailer connector, you will need some more components. Take a look at the ETBC7 kit. We have a bunch of different videos on this kit with all kinds of makes and models. The ETBC7 paired with a brake controller is all you need if the vehicle already has a functioning 4-flat trailer connector.