[AT] Brake controllers revisited

[Thomas O Mehrkam]

As said you will need new backing plates and drums.

It does not have all that expensive but is probably worth the upgrade.

Tekonsha is a good controller as is several others.   In newer trucks 
1995 or so the cabling is there for the brake controller. There should 
be a cable under the dash.  You need access to the brake lights, power 
and have to run a wire to the back of the truck.  On my last two ford 
tricks that wire was already there also.  You can either splice into the 
wires at the connector or there is a connector kit what will plug right 
in and give you access to all.

On my older F150 I had to add a fuse.  There was a wire tabled for Brake 
power in the firewall drier side.  On my 2001 F250 the wire ran into the 
fuse box in the engine department.  I seem to remember having to add the 
relay and fuse.  Available at the auto store.  Look and your owners 
manual it should have some information about it.

On newer trucks th2 7 way connector is already installed and all you 
have to do is ad the controller.  On brand new trucks with towing 
package The controller is included from the factory.

I think Walmart has all that is needed.  Most any auto parts will have 
the cables and controller. Or the place where you purchase the backing 
plates and drubs can be of service.



On 6/3/2016 3:32 AM, Alan Nadeau wrote:
> In the past I have used Tekonsha brake controllers with complete
> satisfaction.
>
> To upgrade to second axle brakes will require more than the backing plates.
>
> The non-brake axles usually have the flange, for attaching the backing
> plates, already welded to the axle tube.  If not, there will be the expense
> of acquiring and attaching those flanges(I'm not sure I have ever seen those
> flanges being available as a separate part).  The axle probably also has
> "idler hubs" now which have no provision for brake drums.  The brake drums
> are machined as part of the hub so upgrading to "brake hubs" requires the
> purchase of new hubs as well as the backing plates.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard Walker" <richardwalker at pobox.com>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Friday, June 03, 2016 1:24 AM
> Subject: [AT] Brake controllers revisited
>
>
>> A year or two ago there was an informative thread about electronic brake
>> controllers.  Not sure how to search for it.
>>
>> Am moving from California to Oregon soon, hauling a lot of stuff, and
>> need to fit my F-250 with a controller for my twin-axle trailer having
>> existing electric brakes on one of its two axles. My last experience
>> with a controller was thirty years ago with the mechanical kind that
>> plumbed into the brake lines.  So I'm kind of clueless about today's
>> electronic controllers.
>>
>> Any recommendations for brands and models?
>>
>> Also would it be advisable to add electric brakes to the axle without?
>> So I'd have two axles with brakes?  Cost seems to be around $100 for two
>> new backing plate kits, so I'm thinking that might be cheap insurance.
>> There are some steep grades between Southern CA and Northern OR.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>> Richard
>>
>>
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