This is the scenario: a FC with new brakes and no brake controller on the TV. the cable of the light stop tail light is attached to the brake cable, in this case when the brake pedal is pressed the light comes to the brakes of the FC making it braking. what can be wrong if the 12 volts that works on the light stops go through the cable of the FC.
With all due respect, this is a dashboard fire waiting to happen. The brakelight circuit is a trigger for a controller to send measured amounts of current to the brakes, the line itself isn't going to handle the amperage of botht the break lights and the full power to shoved to the brakes.
While this may work when going 60, the first time you press the brake pedal doing only about 20 mpng and the trailer brakes come on full blast, it will cause damage to your car as the trailer puts the TV back.
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[quote author=CAMAREIBOL link=topic=1840.msg15431#msg15431 date=1346709642]
perhaps because not all vehicles (not my case) can not wire a brake controller?
I can't see why not all vehicles can be wired for a brake controller. Just because there isn't a plug doesn't mean you can't do it. My van wasn't plug and play and a local trailer company wired it up correctly.
Best Regards,
Norm
first, what's a FC?
second, are you saying that the brakes of the "FC"? were jury-rigged into your Tahoe's brake lights? :anono1:
there's no way the trailer's brakes can be modulated, without a brake controller.
if your '05 Tahoe didn't come with the factory tow package, which includes the plug'n'play controller cable, then you have to have it wired up for one.
as far as i know, pulling a trailer, that has brakes, without a controller, is illegal. they have to function normally and you need a controller for that to happen.
[quote author=01YZF6 link=topic=1840.msg15456#msg15456 date=1346776436]
FC is a Folding Camper I think...
nobody is getting down on you Camareibol, we just dont want to see anything bad happen that can easily be prevented.
OH! i'm so used to popup or tent trailer, i forgot that that's another term for them.
[quote author=CAMAREIBOL link=topic=1840.msg15431#msg15431 date=1346709642]
perhaps because not all vehicles (not my case) can not wire a brake controller?
any brake controller can be hard wired in your vehicle. if you straight wire the trailer brakes to your stop lights, you're basically just going to lock the trailer brakes every time you touch the brake pedal. as already mentioned, you might as well just slam on the brake pedal every time you go to stop
the brake controller regulates the amount of power going to the trailer brakes, so they can be adjusted to apply a little at a time instead of all the way instantly. the same way the light switch on the dash can adjust the brightness of the dashboard lights.
along with the fact, as already pointed out, the brake wiring won't hold up. you'll either continously blow fuses, or burn the whole thing to the ground
[quote author=Firefighter joeman link=topic=1840.msg16455#msg16455 date=1348686069]
I have never heard that. I never used my electric brake on my 1500Lb 10 foot landscape trailer when pulling it with my F350, but I did use them when pulling it with small Geo Tracker.
depends on the weight of the trailer, not the tow vehicle. in GA, if the trailer weight is 1500 or more, to be legal, you have to have working trailer brakes. some states give a little more weight, some give less. I would expect his "FC" to weigh more than 1500, but it would depend on his state laws
[quote author=papachaz link=topic=1840.msg16489#msg16489 date=1348737880]
depends on the weight of the trailer, not the tow vehicle. in GA, if the trailer weight is 1500 or more, to be legal, you have to have working trailer brakes. some states give a little more weight, some give less. I would expect his "FC" to weigh more than 1500, but it would depend on his state laws
Here in Ontario, the law states that if the trailer is equipped with brakes they must be functioning. This over rides the weight requirement for having brakes on the trailer.
ALL Brake controller give a VARIABLE output to the trailer brakes! DO not connect trailer brakes to the stop light or to ANY on-off RELAY. Causing it so will put the brake on fully (screeching tires, premature brake ware, pull too much amps and fry wiring etc.....). Not so good!
There is 2 main types of controllers - There is the cheaper "Timed" and the better "Inertia" based ones which could be analog style or pure solid state. Cost is as little as $65 buck on sale - to the newest Solid-State version which is closer to $200 each.
[quote author=CAMAREIBOL link=topic=1840.msg15431#msg15431 date=1346709642]
perhaps because not all vehicles (not my case) can not wire a brake controller?
Just because the TV was not pre-wired for break controller does not mean CAN'T add one. Most NON-TRUCKS are not pre-wired for ANY trailer lights at all. Any Electrical Car guy that can install a car radio or for trailer lights can wire in a Brake Controller.
Most Brake controller need 4 wires.. run a Red to a switched and fused Positive, Black to nearest Ground, Blue to the back of the TV into the 7 way connector, White(or other color) to break pedal switch.
There is alot of websites to find out which wire to use coming from the brake pedal to connect it to.
Good Luck
[quote author=Retired Alex link=topic=1840.msg16495#msg16495 date=1348753017]
Here in Ontario, the law states that if the trailer is equipped with brakes they must be functioning. This over rides the weight requirement for having brakes on the trailer.
x2! from what i understand, it has nothing to do with the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. it's whether or not the TRAILER has electric brakes or not.
if it has them from the factory, then a controller is required, regardless of the vehicle's capability.
[quote author=rabird link=topic=1840.msg16524#msg
16524 date=1348793952]
Not all of em require hard wiring!
No under dash wiring necessary
Note that runs about 300 plus still need to charge or power the trailer rear controller....and is mostly marketted for rental cars. No idea how well it works not knowing if your breaking. Cheaper to pay to put in hard wire. Never had issues with that on leased vehicle. Installed price s/b less than 200.
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