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Topic Closed7 way vs. brake controller??

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Satellitephotog View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: 7 way vs. brake controller??
    Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 1:57am
Hello!! We are in the process of buying a 2016- rP 178 with TV of a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. If I get a 7 way connection installed on my jeep does that mean I'll automatically have brake controls on the Rpod by only installing the 7way? Ive asked two camper dealers and three jeep dealers and I cant get a straight answer from anyone.
   ANY Input you can give me about what I need to do convert my vehicle to be properly prepared would be much appreciated.
   The dealer also recommended that I get a weight sistribution hitch which also includes a sway bar. My TV can take a max of 3500 lbs to tow and 350 on the tongue.
    Thanks for your help in advance.
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 5:06am
The 7-pin connector does not mean you will have brakes.  You need the 7-pin connector in order to have brakes, but you have to have a brake controller installed to make it work.  This could be as easy as a plug and play installation or it could require some rather involved wiring, depending on what your vehicle already has in the way of a towing package.  Most folks like Tekonsha brake controllers, which are about $75 to $150 going from memory.  Plus installation.

The WDH and sway bars are generally considered to be a good idea too.

TT
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 5:58pm
Originally posted by Satellitephotog

If I get a 7 way connection installed on my jeep does that mean I'll automatically have brake controls on the Rpod by only installing the 7way?
No, they're not the same thing.  You need a brake controller as well; its very important.  And don't cheap out - pay the extra $100 bucks or so and get a Tekonsha Prodigy.  Because if you don't, in about a month's time you'll be tossing out the cheap one and buying a Tekonsha anyway.

The dealer also recommended that I get a weight sistribution hitch which also includes a sway bar.
You could squeeze by without them... but, once the trailer is loaded up and you load up the back of the jeep with gear as well, you're going to be pushing that tongue weight tolerance which leads to some white-knuckle porpoising.  The sway bar is touching on being an essential as well - you'll certainly be grateful for it when you're driving in a gusty crosswind, or when being passed by a couple of tractor-trailers.


Talk to your dealer and see what kind of a discount he'll give you on the brake controller and weight distribution/sway control.  I know the money starts to add up fast, but you'll be glad you spent it.  Think of it as buying a toilet without a toilet seat - you could get by without it, but its a heck of a lot easier if you buy the seat as well.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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JohnBG View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Aug 2015 at 10:44am
Get yourself a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 with connector cable from etrailer.com.  That's what I did and glad I did it.

To WDH/sway or not is the proverbial "Ginger or Mary Ann" question...

BTW, when I get confronted with a "Ginger or Mary Ann" scenario, I go off the board and take Mrs. Howell.  She's rich, experienced, and there's probably a good reason they call her Lovie.  Tongue
2010 R-Pod RP-171
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Aug 2015 at 7:08pm
Welcome.  +1 on the above.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Aug 2015 at 8:06pm
Thank you all for the awesome advice!!!im much more confident about the whole situation now. Thank you.
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