Thread: Brake Controllers???

Originally Posted by gromit

This thread could easily become an Engel vs Waeco type discussion because if you fit one and it works OK for you you would probably recommend it.

Correct. I use a standard Hayman Reese brake controller to tow a horse float. "Works ok."

Never towed a camper trailer.

Originally Posted by vogue

Also join myswag.org - camper trailer forum, for all the help and ideas you need.

Already on 'myswag' forum, just wanted opinions from Defender owners as that I what I will be fitting it too.

Thanks anyway

Originally Posted by wardy1

How heavy is the trailer?
Tekonsha is great for a 2T van, most trailers are less than 1500kg all up (very generous). I use a Redarc for my O'briens camper which is about 1100kg all up (water tank and gas full plus all the crap in the tool box) and it works a treat. Also made in Oz.

The trailer will be around 850kgs empty, and then by the time you load water, gas bottles, jerry cans, food, and the grog maybe 1050-1100kgs.

Col

Im watching this with interest... Im from the UK so know nothing of these types of controllers!

However, I think I will shortly be looking for a unit that could tow/stop a camper trailer (in the future) but more importantly needs to be suited to a loaded 4 horse float.

So, is weight of trailer an issue for these devices or are they all capable of working on any trailer?

Also, my 110 has the large 7 pin UK style electrical socket, will this need to be changed to one of the flat style that seem to be more common over here?

Sorry for the hi-jack!

Jon

John

No need to change the socket. You can get the large 7 pin plug from Supacheap. Also if fitting a brake controller all you need to do is the following.
In the socket there are 2 feeds for left and right tail lights (pin5 and pin ???). You just join these 2 feeds into a single feed which leaves you pin 5 free. Then use pin 5 for the wire to the electric brakes on the trailer. This wire comes from the actual brake controller and determines how much force has been applied to the brakes. Most Aussi plugs are wired this way.

HTH

Ivan

Originally Posted by Ivan

John

No need to change the socket. You can get the large 7 pin plug from Supacheap. Also if fitting a brake controller all you need to do is the following.
In the socket there are 2 feeds for left and right tail lights (pin5 and pin ???). You just join these 2 feeds into a single feed which leaves you pin 5 free. Then use pin 5 for the wire to the electric brakes on the trailer. This wire comes from the actual brake controller and determines how much force has been applied to the brakes. Most Aussi plugs are wired this way.

HTH

Ivan

Thanks Ivan. From your description above there is only 1 wire that goes from the controller to the trailer brakes / trailer mounted system, presumably the system is grounded via the ball and hitch?

Also, (apologies if this is a stupid question) the horse float that we would be towing is not ours - are all electric trailer brakes compatible with all controllers or do I need to find out what system the trailer has on it before choosing a controller?

Thx
J

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

Thanks Ivan. From your description above there is only 1 wire that goes from the controller to the trailer brakes / trailer mounted system, presumably the system is grounded via the ball and hitch?

Also, (apologies if this is a stupid question) the horse float that we would be towing is not ours - are all electric trailer brakes compatible with all controllers or do I need to find out what system the trailer has on it before choosing a controller?

Thx
J

Hi Jon.
The trailer is earthed through the white wire in the plug, the coupling makes a very poor earth.

Have a look here for the Australian standard wiring for all the different plugs.
I assume you have a large round 7 pin

trailer wiring diagram

It this helps

Tony

I'm on my 2nd tekonsha unit in 11 years and 250,000km of towing