New to this>>>>

[Thomas J. Froats]

Just got my 2006 Niagara and will be pulling it with a 2007 1500Dodge Ram. 4.7 V8.  I am really new to this, and have never pulled any this big before. Do I need electric brakes? if so how do I use them? What is the best brand to buy?  When I had the electric pug installed the dealer wanted $250 to wire a controller in, is that about right? Can I do this my self?  As I stated before I'm really new to this and want to make our frist pu trip a good experiance.

[Tim5055]

Just got my 2006 Niagara and will be pulling it with a 2007 1500Dodge Ram. 4.7 V8.  I am really new to this, and have never pulled any this big before. Do I need electric brakes? if so how do I use them? What is the best brand to buy?  When I had the electric pug installed the dealer wanted $250 to wire a controller in, is that about right? Can I do this my self?  As I stated before I'm really new to this and want to make our frist pu trip a good experiance.

Do I need electric brakes?   Actually, you do have brakes.  They are installed on all newer Fleetwood pop ups.  What you need is a brake controller to electrically tie your truck brakes to your trailer brakes.

if so how do I use them?  Once installed, they will activate anytime you step on your brake pedal.

What is the best brand to buy?  You will get many opinions on this, but I use a
Tekonsha Prodigy

When I had the electric pug installed the dealer wanted $250 to wire a controller in, is that about right?  If that included the controller (probably a very basic one) it sounds about right.

Can I do this my self?  I don't know, how handy are you?  Mt Ford just plugged in under the dash, maybe Dodge has a similar set up.

For more information, check out my Pop Up Brakes Web Page .  Look for the information on Time Based Controllers (basic) vs. Inertial Controllers (better).

[PattieAM]

I originally towed my 06 Niagara with my 2000 Durango, but wanted to tow with my Ram 1500, so needed the brake controller installed - from mid 1997 model Ram's (with heavy duty tow package factory equipped) the vehicle is pre-wired for this and it's a simple plug in (this from the trailer place I visited and was installed/out the door in 15 minutes and less than $100 - brake controller and installation).

[bonscott]

Just got my 2006 Niagara and will be pulling it with a 2007 1500Dodge Ram. 4.7 V8.  I am really new to this, and have never pulled any this big before. Do I need electric brakes? if so how do I use them? What is the best brand to buy?  When I had the electric pug installed the dealer wanted $250 to wire a controller in, is that about right? Can I do this my self?  As I stated before I'm really new to this and want to make our frist pu trip a good experiance.

The break controller themselves usually run $100-$150 so $250 installed is about right.  Took them about 2 hours on my SUV to get it installed.

As for if you need them.  For a trailer that big you most definitely need them.  And it may be the law in your state anyway.  In Michigan for example you must have electric brakes on any towed trailer over 1200 lbs (may be down to 1000 now, I can't remember).  So if you get pulled over and have no breaks you'll pay more in a ticket then what it would cost you to install the breaks, plus they probably wouldn't let you tow it away either since it's against the law.  Certainly worst case scenario but something to keep in mind.

[OC Campers]

We have a Dodge 1500 and had a brake controller installed.  My hubby is fairly handy but Dodge hid the spot where the controller needs to be hooked up.  We ended up taking it to a local truck accessory shop and they installed the controller for us.  With a camper as big as the Niagra, I would definately have a brake controller.  We second the Prodigy.  On our first tow vehicle we let U-Haul install one and it was nothing like the Prodigy we installed on the tuck.  It is worth the few extra bucks, plus you are carrying precious cargo (wife and kids).  

Jacqui