How To Add a Brake Controller to a 2012 Kenworth T800  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hey Jonathan. To operate a gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer's braking system with your Kenworth T800 you're going to need to install a brake controller, a 4-way wiring harness for the lights, and a 7-way wiring harness. I have listed all the parts you'll need below in case your Kenworth doesn't have a 7-way connector:

4-Way - Curt Powered Tail Light Converter item # C59236

7- Way - Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7

Brake Controller - Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller w/ Universal Wiring Harness item # RED52VR

The Curt item # C59236 is going to splice into your tail light wires and provide the signal for the lights. The Universal Installation Kit item # ETBC7 will plug directly into the 4-way and then require a power wire ran to the battery, a ground, and then the blue brake controller wire will be ran directly to your cab.

The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty item # RED52VR comes with a universal wiring harness. You'll have to connect the blue wire you ran from the 7-way. You'll need to find a 12v power source for the black wire, and the red wire will need to be connected to wire that has a 12V signal when you step on the brake pedal. Then you'll ground the white wire to a suitable grounding location nearby.

I attached a couple of wiring diagrams below so you can see how to get these parts setup.

Does your Kenworth have a 7-way round plug? If so you can skip all the 4-way and 7-way wiring and use the Pollak Trailer Connector Adapter item # PK12-724.

You can add this information, along with any other questions you have, where it says Add Comment.

expert reply by: Jerred H

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ETBC7
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RED52VR
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