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New User
Posts: 4
Location: Fisher, IL | Hi. I have a 2000 F150. I recently bought a trailer...I was told by the mechanic that checked the trailer that I did NOT need a brake controller as the trailer brakes are run through my light hook-up. This seems very strange to me! Everyone I know uses a brake controller-any opinions? (I looked in my owners manual but could not find any info). Thank you for the help. |
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Expert
Posts: 2958
   
Location: North Carolina | Welcome to the board .. If you are pulling a horse trailer, you need and WANT a brake controller for the brakes on the horse trailer. If your horse trailer does not have brakes ... get rid of it ASAP... Only a very small trailer doesn't have brakes.... think lawn mower trailer. Also ... get rid of your mechanic, he / she doen't know the subject of which he /she speaks. Brenderup people: relax... |
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: Fisher, IL | Thanks! That is exactly what I thought but since I am not an expert by any stretch I just wanted confirmation. Thanks again |
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Member
Posts: 41
Location: n/a | Trailer brakes and a brake control are a good thing to have. Pull a loaded trailer without the control on and working and pull with it... You will never go back to not having it... The trailer brakes with the controler are and can be a life saver... I have the same truck, 4x4, pulled a three horse ponderosa slant with front dressing and I had it loaded with two horses. Trailer controler started to not work properly and the F250 was the only thing stopping the trailer... The brakes may be good but you need more than that with some fat old horses back there.. (sorry girls, just picking) Well we got it fixed right away of course... A brake controler is in the cab of your truck, normally right under the steering wheel where it can be reached by the driver for any load difference adjustments. |
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Regular
Posts: 93
Location: Northwest Indiana | I agree with hosspuller and get rid of your mechanic. Some options you could investigate for a brake controller. You could go to a truck customization shop and they should be able to correctly install a brake controller. Or some to the U-haul place are able to do this too. If you are handy and cheap you can do it yourself. I would reccommend this website for instructions www.etrailer.com. They have instructions on how to do the install yourself and sell all the needed parts. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
Location: Tipton, IN | Another mechanic that needs to stick to mechanical work, and let an electrical guy handle the rest. You need a brake controller, and possibly a new mechanic/ auto repair shop. |
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Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA | It's illegal not to have a brake controller on a horse trailer in my state. |
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Veteran
Posts: 109
| Well just another reason to have the brake controller. What state are you in? I think that I may look up the rule here for my own interest. |
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: Fisher, IL | I'm in Illinois. Defintely getting one this weekend-thanks for all the replies! |
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Do I need a brake controller?
