[TJ Willy]

Yea, you are right... this is simple and does not need a write-up, but just for those curious or maybe just looking for a part number - here you go. And by the way, my factory plugs were on the driver's side and I have an 04.

http://www.simplyjeep.com

Just click on the article in the middle of the page or click on Topics for a listing.

HTH's,
Phil

[lostjohn]

On my 97 the plug is on the passenger side and is similar to the four pin flat plug. Later model TJ's use a different style. HTH

[03jeeper78]

Have you tested it? I have an '03, and the plug will fit on either side of the jeep, however, when it's plugged in on the driver side, the trailer lights don't function properly.

[jpittman]

TJ Willy

Excellent article, thank you. Speaking of trailer wiring...

Has anybody installed a brake control? If so, what are your experiences with it? I'm thinking about putting a Prodigy on my '03 TJ. Will be getting an Adventure Trailer and I believe it will be around 1500 lbs. and California requires brakes for that weight. With the mountains we travel would like to have extra help in braking from the trailer.

Yes, I have done a search and couldn't find anything on trailer brake controllers. Are they just not used?

[wherndon]

Originally Posted by 03jeeper78

Have you tested it? I have an '03, and the plug will fit on either side of the jeep, however, when it's plugged in on the driver side, the trailer lights don't function properly.

When I used the driver's side on my 2005 it reversed the turn signals on the trailer.
Bil

[55willystruck]

JPittman-

I am not familiar with the "Prodigy" controller-who makes it? I have however installed numerous brake controllers made by Tekonsha -forget the exact spelling. Depending on the vehicle, they may or may not offer a direct plug-in to your existing wiring. I recently installed one on my dad's '03 Duramax, that was a snap-direct plug in-with the correct adapter that is, only had to drill two holes to mount the unit. I installed one on my '78 Chev 3/4ton the same day, which was a little longer process-had to hard wire everything. It's pretty simple really, only 4 wires to mess with. If I remember correctly, you have one from your negative battery terminal, one from the controller to the brake pedal sensor, the one running out the back to your trailer plug, and the fourth I forget exactly where it went-to the positive terminal??? The one that sticks out the most was hooking to the negative.

Anyway, the Tekonsha units are a good unit, I've sold and installed tons of them in the past, and the new ones are every bit as good, maybe better. I forget the exact "tuning" procedure, but if you only plan on pulling one trailer with it, basically once you set it, you're good to go. You dial it in according to a shade of orange with everthing hooked up, and your foot on the brake, then adjust the "gain" as needed. It helps just driving around on back roads playing with the thing to basically get the right "feel" you want of how much it will brake. Once you've found a setting you like, you're done-just go drive it and each time you stop, it will brake too. Keep in mind though that any time you change the weight of the trailer-adding more gear, running a different trailer of different weight, etc., you'll want to re-adjust the gain and re-set your brake feel before hitting the open road. This is very easily done by just rotating a dial on the controller as you brake, only takes a couple seconds to do. Also, don't be surprised if you don't get a light on the controller when NOT hooked up-it will only sense a signal when the plug is hooked at the receiver end, thus completing the circuit, and will only show a green light as long as the trailer is plugged into the Jeep.

Also, if you've done everything right up front with the install, and can't seem to get it to work properly, the problem is most likely your ground. I can't tell you how many times I've installed brake controllers and not had them work properly immediately. Usually what happens is somebody buys a nice new receiver hitch and ball/stinger, then hooks it all up and wonders why the controller doesn't work right. Well, it's as simple as a bad ground-and in most cases, a direct result of all that paint on the new receiver and stinger! This was also the case with my dad's duramax-I bought a new dual axle carhauler trailer, he wanted to borrow it but needed a 10,000 lbs. stinger-new controller wouldn't work and he wondered why. Ended up sanding the paint off the stinger where the ball hooks on, then sanding the paint out of the hitch pin hole, as well as around the 2" tube. With that done and everything hooked up, everything worked great. If you hook the brake controller up, then find your blinkers don't work properly, again, this is most likely the problem-clean off the paint so there is a good ground contact and it'll fix your blinker problems.

Oh, and lastly-don't forget you need to keep your controller as basically centered as possible, pointing as nearly front-to-back as you can get. Mounting it sideways, or crooked will mess up the way the brake controller itself senses your stopping, and will alter the way it brakes the trailer.

Oh, and thanks for bringing this up-I forgot I still need to get this done to my new rig as well sometime within the next couple weeks! Don't like pulling without them!

Best of Luck,

Mike

[jpittman]

55willystruck

Mike, Prodigy is made by Tekonsha, a proportional controller. Mario at Adventure Trailers uses one in his Jeep and says it is the best on the market at this time.

Thank you for that excellent reply, it really helps. I went to the Tekonsha website and found the controller, wiring instructions, etc. I will have to wire it myself since there is no direct plug-in like on my Dodge truck. I have done alot of wiring of lights and this looks very easy to do. And yes, I am adding a battery switch to charge the trailer battery.

Thanks again for the help and good luck on your project.
John