Brake Controller Recommendation for a Truck with Air Brakes and a Trailer with Electric Brakes

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Question:

I just purchased a 33 gvw truck with air brakes. I thought I could simply plug in to the 7 point connector to the back of truck and connect to the trailer. The trailer has all the dot safety and break away controls on it. I was told that the truck needs a converter from air to electric. Seems strange since I have electric for lights.

asked by: Mike L

0

Expert Reply:

The trailer brakes work on a separate circuit than the lights. You have a couple of options to control the electric brakes on the trailer.

One option is to use an air over electric brake control, # HA100400C. This unit connects to the air brakes on the truck and when the brakes are applied it sends an electric signal back to the trailer brakes.

The other option, and what I would do, is to use an electric brake controller like # 90885. For either of these controllers, the red wire attaches to the cold side of the brake switch or any dedicated brake light circuit, like the center high mount stop light (CHMSL). It must connect to a wire that only shows power when the brake is pressed and not also when the turn signals or running lights are on.

The black wire connects to the positive battery terminal on the vehicle via a 20 amp circuit breaker # PK54520 for 2 to 4 brakes or a 30 amp circuit breaker # PK54530 for 6 to 8 brakes.

The blue wire will connect to the back of the 7-Way in the 7:00 position. On # 90885, the white wire grounds to the negative battery terminal. I have included a link to the isntallation details for 90885.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

John S.

7/13/2024

90885 brake controller will not operate trailer brakes properly. Those brake controllers look for truck nose to dip to operate the proportional brake control which larger (with air brakes) truck do not do. Only an air over electric brake controller will operate brake properly, like the HA100400C

Lee

4/8/2025

I want to buy an H100400C When I search that number it comes up as a pencil hitch. Please help me find the controller

Jameson C.

4/8/2025

@Lee That brake controller is no longer available as it was discontinued.

Phil

4/28/2025

@JamesonC is there a similar replacement available now to replace H100400C?

Jameson C.

4/28/2025

@Phil I wish we did but we do not. Only solution would be a proportional controller that uses an inertia sensor instead of tapping into your air brakes like the P2 part # 90885.

Answer 1

Hey Anthony, Here at etrailer we have a controller or two that will do the opposite (take the air system from a tow vehicle and make it work with electric trailer brakes), but we don't have any controllers that will work with air brakes on the…

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Answer 2

Hey Cliff, the diameter of the coiled wire rope of the Fastway Breakaway Cable part #FA80-00-2060 that you referenced is 3/16 of an inch. Are you worried it might break?

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Answer 3

Yes, it does John. So long as you have the Ford Performance Heavy Duty Modular Front Bumper with the tow hooks, the easiest way to flat tow it is to use the Curt Custom Base Plate Kit item #C59JR. This adapter connects right to the tow hooks without…

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Answer 4

To tow your trailer that uses an RV style 7-way blade style connector with your semi that has a 7-pin connector, you need to construct an adapter that will also combine the brake signal into the right and left directional signal pins. This can be…

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Answer 5

A bushing is not required for the c-hook end (sometimes called an open eye end) of a slipper spring like the 4-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Open Eye End #e33SR. The closed eye of this spring does have a bushing included; I have added a link to a video…

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Answer 6

Slipper Springs like #e33SR do not use a bolt and bushing for the open eye end of the spring. It connects directly to the hanger using a slipper spring hanger kit.

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Answer 7

I think we have just what you are looking for. Check out our Stake Pocket Tie-Down Anchor, #WFSPDR. This anchor mounts in the stake pockets on your trailer and gives you a d-ring tie-down point. These will work great with the Bulldog Winch Tie-Down…

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Answer 8

I was able to get a dimension sheet from my contact at Curt for the Curt Hitch part #C15800 that you referenced. See attached pic. I also attached a set of the installation instructions for this hitch.

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Answer 9

Either way is correct. It depends on if you want to keep the semi-style 7-Way (if you need to tow that type of trailer) or if you will never be towing a semi-trailer. If you need to keep the 7-Way semi active on the truck, then you would need to make…

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Answer 10

Yes, the Draw-Tite Ultra Frame Service Body Trailer Hitch Receiver part #41990-16 is designed specially for the purpose of attaching to larger frame vehicles like a semi so this will work perfectly for you. The Draw-Tite Ultra Frame Service Body…

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Answer 11

Hey Donnie! The only thing we would have is the Tuson Heavy Duty Truck Module Kit for DirecLink Brake Controller item #335HDCON-9PIN, which it sounds like you already have. This one is specifically designed for the Volvo semi's. It works with the…

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Answer 12

Technically you can use an electric controller like the Prodigy P3 #90195 on a Semi as long as you have that stop light switch signal. Some people prefer an air actuated controller like the Hayes Air Actuated Trailer Brake Controller #HA100400C but…

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Brake Controller Recommendation for a Truck with Air Brakes and a Trailer with Electric Brakes

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