Installation of Brake Controller on 1997 Ram 1500 Club Cab with Factory Trailer Plug  

Im stuck trying to find the elusive blue plug under the dash of my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Club Cab pickup with 5.9L V-8. When I bought the truck in 2000, the original owner said it was equipped with the factory towing package, and I had no reason to doubt it. Ive towed with it, but never needed a brake controller until now. Im purchasing a new BigTex 16foot tandem axle utility trailer with brakes on the rear axle. Reading the owners manual, I discovered the reference to the blue plug. The only other reference in the section about towing was that the headlight switch would fail prematurely unless a relay was installed, but that it was installed as part of the factory towing package. I checked the relay box near the battery and theres one marked for trailer. The dealer offers either the Curt Discovery 51120 or Tekonsha 90160 Primus IQ controllers. Without much knowledge, I ed the Curt, because it was cheaper. I ordered the 51332 adapter kit from etrailer.com on Friday evening and received notice it was shipped that night and was amazed that it arrived on Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day. Amazingly good service! I looked for the blue plug, without success, and then looked at more videos and advice on your site. The photo of the plug on the 2008 Ram is no where near as cluttered as the same area in my truck. Its so cramped my cell phone is difficult to get into position to photograph it. I watched a video of the installation for a Tekonsha controller and your expert included advice on how to determine if the factory towing kit is installed. First clue is the bracket for the 7-pin connector is welded to the hitch. Mine is and the bracket was made to put the box at the angle to match the lower lip of the bumper. 2nd clue is if theres a Chrysler badge on the lid of the connector. Nope, mine has a 77 and Theodore Bargman Mfg. on the lid. Ive probed the connector and found that the turn signals, tail lights, and backup lights are all functional. I still cant find the connector though. Ill take the truck to the trailer dealer on Thursday and see if their guys can locate it. If not, well need to come up with a new plan. What would you suggest? BTW, now that Ive done all the research, Im considering switching to the proportional controller from Tekonsha, instead of the time-delay from Curt. Thank you for all the good work youve already done.

asked by: William N

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