Heres a stupid question.... is this the plug in that my trailer brake controller plugs into? Our truck is a 2004 Suburban. I haven't purchased a brake controller yet, so if there are specific things I should be looking for in one, let me know please!
I think a brake controller on a 11 year old vehicle will have to be hard wired and not a plug-in. Is the trailer hitch and wiring from the factory? You might want to ask a Chevy dealer.
Our 2009 Burb has a builtin controller. I could not remember if the 2004 was built in and it is in Kentucky so I couldn't look. Google is a wonderful thing except now I will be getting ads for trailer parts.
Not to promote a particular brand, but Hopkins makes a nice line of "plug and play" brake controllers. They sell the wiring adapters specific to your vehicle that plug straight into your fuse/accessory panel, no hard wiring needed.
Mind you, this covers vehicles that have the base towing package from the factory, but most p/u/suv's come that way nowadays.
I really like my Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller. I believe it is one of the best and they have plug and play harness packages as in the link below (for your 2004). Very easy install. I've had mine for 6 years and has been flawless.
At the boat show, somebody was selling a conversion kit for $799. I have been pulling boat trailers for years and never seen the need to upgrade above surge brakes for a tandem axle trailer but I never pull with an undersized tow vehicle. The race car trailer was a different story, applying only the trailer brakes straightened the trailer and kept it from jackknifing. That was a change your pants highway moment.
I really like my Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller. I believe it is one of the best and they have plug and play harness packages as in the link below (for your 2004). Very easy install. I've had mine for 6 years and has been flawless.
Great Dane does your trailer have surge brakes or electric? I believe that surge brakes are self contained and doesn't need a aftermarket brake control like electric.
Great Dane does your trailer have surge brakes or electric? I believe that surge brakes are self contained and doesn't need a aftermarket brake control like electric.
This is a great question. Most boat trailers are non-electric surge brakes (disc or drum). I know that there are some available that have an electric driven actuator for the surge brakes, but much more rare. I've not known any boat trailers to have the traditional electric drum brakes with the electromagnet to actuate the brakes (like most car/travel/5-wheel trailers). Probably a corrosion issue.
Great Dane - I believe you said you got your boat from Miller Marine. I did too and they sell the Yacht Club and Shoreland'r trailers. I got the Yacht Club and it has traditional surge brakes that dont require an electric controller. The brakes are all self contained. I assume it is similar with the Shoreland'r.
This is a great question. Most boat trailers are non-electric surge brakes (disc or drum). I know that there are some available that have an electric driven actuator for the surge brakes, but much more rare. I've not known any boat trailers to have the traditional electric drum brakes with the electromagnet to actuate the brakes (like most car/travel/5-wheel trailers). Probably a corrosion issue.
Great Dane - I believe you said you got your boat from Miller Marine. I did too and they sell the Yacht Club and Shoreland'r trailers. I got the Yacht Club and it has traditional surge brakes that dont require an electric controller. The brakes are all self contained. I assume it is similar with the Shoreland'r.
Yup, got it from Miller, and yes it is a Yacht Club trailer. Model number PTB2244T. I'll have to ask someone at the dealership, maybe I don't need the controller after all. Thanks again for the great info everyone!
Also have a Yacht Club trailer and from Miller and the model number sounds familiar. I am pretty sure yours is surge brakes, so no controller would be needed.
