Electric Breaks question

[gr82bamom1]

Ok, 1993 Coleman Evergreen, previous owner said it didn't have electric breaks, but the manual briefly mentions them (not enough to know how to connect to TV). There is a small plastic plug (with 2 male connectors) popping out of the same hole as the lights connector on the trailer, which I assume has something to do with the breakaway system. What do I need to add to my TV to make this setup work?

[AustinBoston]

Ok, 1993 Coleman Evergreen, previous owner said it didn't have electric breaks, but the manual briefly mentions them (not enough to know how to connect to TV). There is a small plastic plug (with 2 male connectors) popping out of the same hole as the lights connector on the trailer, which I assume has something to do with the breakaway system.

What color are the wires?

What do I need to add to my TV to make this setup work?

Assuming the trailer has electric brakes (if the wheels bolt on to a brake drum, it has electric brakes), you will need to do the following:

1) Install a brake controller.  With most tow vehicles today, there is already a wiring harness for doing this.  With most controllers, all you need is the correct adapter and it just plugs in and mounts.  You need to mount it so that it is more-or-less facing forward and within the driver's reach.  

1a) Get a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller.  A bit more money, but worth every penny.  If someone tries to sell you a timer-based controller, leave the store and do not go back.

2) Wire a 6-pin or 7-pin jack on the trailer and on the tow vehicle.  The 7-pin is more common, and allows easier switching from one trailer to another.  Someone will post a link to the typical 7-pin diagram.

3) If the trailer has a battery, mount and wire a breakaway switch on the trailer.

4) Ask any clarifying questions here.

Austin

[wavery]

Even if the trailer has brake drums and all the other parts that make-up "electric brakes" the trailer may still not have brakes. In order to have brakes.....they must work.

I don't mean to be a wise guy about this. Before you go out and buy a controller, you may want to do some testing to be sure that you have working brakes.

I would recommend pulling the drums off (if it has them) and checking the brakes to be sure that #1.. they work..#2..they aren't completely worn out.

Once you know exactly what you have, you can make a more informed decision about adding a controller and wiring. If you don't have brakes or they are beyond repair, it's not that expensive to install a whole new set-up.

BTW, while you have the wheels off would be an excellent opportunity to pack those wheel bearings.

[tknick]

Another way to tell if you have brakes is to look at the type of plug you have on the PU.  If it is anything other than a 4 pin flat, it probably has some kind of brakes (either surge or electric).  Also you can look for at the back side of the wheels and look for wires coming out of them.  Wires mean electric brakes.  Then see Waverly's post about inspecting the brakes.  

It sounds like the wires he is describing are the connectors for hooking up a battery.

HTH
travis

[AustinBoston]

It sounds like the wires he is describing are the connectors for hooking up a battery.

I was thinking of that, which is why I asked about the colors.  Black & white = battery.  Blue = breakaway brake switch.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

There is a small plastic plug (with 2 male connectors) popping out of the same hole as the lights connector on the trailer, which I assume has something to do with the breakaway system.

The white plug is probably the plug to connect your battery.  Email Fleetwood and see what they say, or take it to a dealer and have them look at it.  If it was the owners manual that mentioned the brakes, they usually include information on most models built that year.  You can't go by the plug to decide if you have brakes.  My 1985/6 Coleman Sun Valley had a 6 rectangle plug, and there wasn't a spot for brakes.  Is the Evergreen the handicap PU?  Do you have any pictures of it?

[gr82bamom1]

The wires are black and white - so they must be for the battery!?! A third wire has been cut and I cannot tell by the tail showing if it is black or blue. The manual only says Evergreen and doesn't list other models. I have a standard four prong connection for the lights.

The Evergreen is a handicapped model. It has a large step and wide door. There is also enough floor space to place a wheelchair. The original owner purchased to use with his son. We are the third owners and have only had it since April. I can post a picture after our next campout with GLPUC.

[AustinBoston]

The wires are black and white - so they must be for the battery!?!

"Must be" is a bit strong.  They are probably for the battery, (my guess would be better than 95%) but if someone unfamiliar with trailer wiring conventions worked on it, the wrong wire colors may have been used and it could be something else.

A third wire has been cut and I cannot tell by the tail showing if it is black or blue. The manual only says Evergreen and doesn't list other models. I have a standard four prong connection for the lights.

It sounds like it was wired fro things that someone along the chain did not use and disconnected.

Do you have any kind of electrical meter or a 12V indicator light?

Austin

[tlhdoc]

"Must be" is a bit strong. They are probably for the battery, (my guess would be better than 95%) but if someone unfamiliar with trailer wiring conventions worked on it, the wrong wire colors may have been used and it could be something else.

There is a small plastic plug (with 2 male connectors)

The wires are black and white -

It sure sounds like the battery wires to me.

[Morin]

This sounds a lot like my situation when I bought my PUP a few months ago.  To ensure beyond a doubt I had brakes I installed new ones completely.  It is not expensive and should not run you more than 400.00 - 450.00 to get new assemblies, wired the correct way (7 inch brakes).

If you know nothing about brakes - taking the drum off to look at the assemblies will mean nothing to you really.  You can look at it but if you're not sure how they function then youre just wasting your time.  take it to a local trailer place (they are better priced than the RV dealers) and have themn take a look.  i can not speak of all places but the trailer joint in my area is really good and honest.

[wavery]

It sure sounds like the battery wires to me.

Sounds like battery wires to me too and obviously AB thought so too (95%) but I have to agree, a lot of people that run new wire on a trailer often just grab some wire that they find in the garage and pay little attention to color.

I rented a U-Haul trailer a few months back and I had trouble with the tail lights. I found that someone had wired them with (what looked like) a long brown 110v extension cord.

It's probably best to be sure what they are.