Trailer braking system

[Mark Beavin]

I take it there is no built in trailer brake controller on my coach. At least I don't see one. What brands do you all use? Hoping to tow my race trailer with my Beaver.

[David T. Richelderfer]

The threads I have read seem to indicate the wiring for trailer brakes is installed at the time of coach manufacture, but the controller must be added by a subsequent coach owner.  Our coach has a controller installed under the dash, visible in front of my left shin/knee.  It is a Genesis.  I know the prior owner used it when towing an enclosed car hauler.  I have not used it.  It looks like the following:

https://www.amazon.com/Hayes-81790K-Genesis-Receiver-Controller/dp/B003VB0COY/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1545835415&sr=8-4&keywords=genesis+trailer+brake+controller

[Mark Beavin]

I need to know which wiring harness for plug and play or do I have to hand wire?

[Gerald Farris]

Mark,
I am not sure that your coach has trailer brake wiring, but if it does, there will be 2 loose wires in the receiver area that can be traced back to 2 loose wires in the LF electrical bay area with the use of a tone generator. There is no plug and play wiring harness, just the possibility that two unused wires exist between the two locations if they were not used for a different purpose in the last 23 years by a previous owner.

Gerald

[Mark Beavin]

It looks like the coach was pre wired as the 2 wires needed red and white are connected at the trailer receptacle. The white seems to be a neutral or return and the red should be hot when the brakes are pressed but is not. There were 6 loose wires in the electrical bay and I put power to each one and got nothing at the plug. Now I need to find the source of that red wire so I can wire it to the controller. What is the best way to go about this?

[Gerald Farris]

Mark,
Like I said in the previous post, use a tone generator to locate the wires needed. If you are not familuar with the use of a tone generator, just Google the phrase "tone generator tool" and you will find many options from $300 Fluke tools to $25 Harbor Freight tools, or you can just borrow one from a friend. For what you are doing, the $25 units should do just fine, and you can find operating instructions online.

Gerald 

[Mark Beavin]

Have a Habor Freight close by. Will add to my tool collection. Thanks again!!

[Gerald Farris]

Mark,
If you are not familiar with the use of a tone generator/circuit tracer in locating wiring this YouTube video may help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apIpHPgkevQ

This is the Harbor Freight version of the tool. https://www.harborfreight.com/cable-tracker-94181.html


Gerald