Installing a Brake Controller on a 2004 Dodge Ram Without a Factory Tow Package

Updated 12/23/2013 | Published 12/21/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Venturer NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Time Delayed

(76)

$83.71

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(65)

$56.73

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3395)

$121.25

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

Can you help me with where to tie in the harness for the brake controller.

asked by: JIMMY B

Expert Reply:

We have everything you need to install a brake controller on your 2004 Dodge Ram. Since your truck does not have any factory trailer wiring, we will want to install a trailer connector first because the brake controller will tie into the trailer connector, vehicle battery and the vehicles stoplight switch.

You will notice 4 wires on the back of your brake controller. The black wire is for 12-volt power from the vehicle battery via a 30-amp circuit breaker. The white wire should be grounded to either the vehicle battery or to a clean bare metal surface. The blue wire will run to the trailer connector at the back of the truck and the red wire will splice into the cold side of the stoplight switch. The stoplight switch is located on the arm of the brake pedal (see photo). Dodge traditionally used a white wire for this, but they have been known to change the wire color. I recommend using a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993 to test the wire before splicing in the red wire. The wire should only show power when the brake pedal is pressed.

Before you install the brake controller, I recommend installing a trailer connector. If your truck does not have a 4-way flat trailer connector, then I recommend installing the Curt T-Connector Wiring Harness, # C55504. This harness plugs into the trucks taillight harness to provide the light functions. If your truck already has a 4-way trailer connector, then you do not need this harness.

The next part you will want to install is a 7-way trailer connector. For this, I recommend installing our Brake Control 7-Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7. This kit comes with a 7-way and 4-way trailer connector along with all of the wiring and hardware necessary to complete the installation of your brake controller. I have attached the installation instructions and an installation video on a Dodge Ram for you to check out. The truck in the video is slightly older than your Dodge Ram, but the installation process will be the same.

I have also attached a help article on installing a brake controller on a Dodge Ram truck that explains each step of the installation.