Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Topic: Enclosed trailer plug compatability (Read 915 times) previous topic - next topic

Enclosed trailer plug compatability

July 12, 2021, 09:41:42 pm

I am considering purchasing a very good used enclosed trailer to take my motorcycles along. The plug for the trailer looks to be a flat blade 6 prong type and the plug (see pics) on the coach appears to be round blade for the plug the PO used for a blue ox. Are they compatable? Is there an adapter? And does Foretravel coaches come with brake modules as the trailer has electric brakes. Anyone that has some knowledge with this please advise.
Peter

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #1 – July 12, 2021, 09:48:45 pm

You may have a flat five on your trailer , never seen a flat six. Set that round six free and update to a 7 pin round. New industry standard.
Scott

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #2 – July 12, 2021, 09:50:55 pm

I saw an adapter to go from the Round to the flat pic just now. That will not handle the brakes right?

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #3 – July 12, 2021, 10:03:09 pm

I guess I should just outright ask with a 7x12 enclosed trailer hauling 2 bikes do I require the trailer brake? Especially with the retarder

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #4 – July 12, 2021, 10:08:53 pm

Reading further does any one know if the foretravel has brake controller harness tucked under the dash

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #5 – July 12, 2021, 10:27:49 pm

Yes and no. There are spare wires to use. I just installed a brake controller and had already converted to seven pin plug couple months ago.most states require brakes at above 3000
Scott
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Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #6 – July 12, 2021, 10:33:48 pm

There is no factory brake controller harness, however, there are extra wires running from the dash to the rear of the coach, which can be wired for a brake controller. Check your owners manual for wire assignments.

Your round 6 pin connector on the coach is stock. The center pin is unused from the factory, and can be wired to supply brake voltage, but I've wired mine to supply constant charge voltage to the towed vehicle. These connectors are available on Amazon Amazon.com: CURT 58080 Trailer-Side 6-Pin Round Wiring Harness Plug: Automotive and at most trailer sales shops.

Quote from: dicksop – July 12, 2021, 10:08:53 pm

Reading further does any one know if the foretravel has brake controller harness tucked under the dash

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Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #7 – July 12, 2021, 10:36:24 pm

Under 3000# trailer should be fine without brakes . Nice to have, but the bus wont care.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #8 – July 12, 2021, 10:39:43 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – July 12, 2021, 10:36:24 pm

Under 3000# trailer should be fine without brakes . Nice to have, but the bus wont care.

I totally agree bus won't care, NHP writing me a ticket for that and other items will and you are correct about being under 3000lbs GTW
Scott

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #9 – July 12, 2021, 10:48:15 pm

I've towed car trailers for 40 yrs. I have never had the the brakes looked at. I disconnected my electric brakes on one axle of my two car trailer when , in the rain, I noticed the trailer sliding on the off ramp with both axles locked up.
The only ticket i have received was for no vin # on the trailer .

I have my trailer brake controller mounted under the tail light. I set it when loading .

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #10 – July 12, 2021, 11:09:55 pm

Under 3000# is legal in state where I am licensed (WI) makes me legal wherever my bus and I are legal.
Check you state/province requirements.
Bus won't care...

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #11 – July 12, 2021, 11:53:27 pm

Here come the Cal. haters any trailer over 1500 lbs. must have brakes in CA.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #12 – July 13, 2021, 12:46:38 am

First you need to know what the regulations are for the Alberta are. It's really easy to
wire a Foretravel for trailer brakes. I don't mess around I put in the 7 pin plugs in my
coaches and do the same for trailer or toad. If your trailer comes with brakes I would
use them. In BC I don't have to have brakes on my Suzuki but I did anyway as it is just
safer and if any thing happens I am covered.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #13 – July 13, 2021, 07:48:39 am

How many wires need to go back to add a brake controller? 1?

Keith

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #14 – July 13, 2021, 08:37:15 am

Quote from: craneman – July 12, 2021, 11:53:27 pm

Here come the Cal. haters any trailer over 1500 lbs. must have brakes in CA.

If they are registered in Ca.
HERE WE GO again with all the trailer brake doos and don't. I'll bet you trailer doesn't even have brakes on it.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #15 – July 13, 2021, 09:07:22 am

Quote from: hdff – July 13, 2021, 07:48:39 am

How many wires need to go back to add a brake controller? 1?

Keith

So when I wired my seven pin plug I added the brake wire, and since I was there added the 12v power charging wire. Put a taillight converter in the coach for brake light and turn signal control. Also at back of the coach added a reverse light leg to plug. Allows putting led back up lights on the back of your trailer. At the seven pin plug I also added a good ground lug. The power wire will need a circuit breaker and the brake controller will need a separate one also. They do make a additional fuse box that can be put at the back of the coach prior to the plug after converter. Nice touch . I also mounted 7 pin plug as high as possible to prevent damage.
Scott
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Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #16 – July 13, 2021, 10:09:35 am

Quote from: bbeane – July 13, 2021, 08:37:15 am

If they are registered in Ca.
HERE WE GO again with all the trailer brake doos and don't. I'll bet you trailer doesn't even have brakes on it.

My 5 trailers that are over 1500 lbs. loaded, all have surge brakes. The law is for loaded trailers not empty trailers. I have three 24' boats & trailers and 2 car trailers. They all had the brakes on them when purchased.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #17 – July 13, 2021, 10:27:33 am

Agreed, in WI, gross weight of trailer and contents ( or toad) needs to be 3,000# or less.
I tow a 2 door tracker convertible, under 3,000# total weight, 100% legal in WI, and I believe all 50 states via reciprocity.
In any event, that has never been checked by anyone and I feel very safe with that load and no brakes.
F150? Or bigger? Brakes for sure!!!

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #18 – July 13, 2021, 10:29:38 am

Keith you only need one wire and it needs to be at least a 12 gauge wire or
relay at the back of the coach.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #19 – July 13, 2021, 11:28:44 am

Peter asked me to walk him through the trailer brake hookup.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #20 – July 13, 2021, 11:38:49 am

Sorry about the first part. The first picture is where the spare wires are in the front.
Second picture is controller, third picture is the extra brake pressure switch I put in
so the trailer brakes only come on when the brakes are applied. and the forth picture
is the extra wires at the back of the coach. I used the red wire as it is the heaviest.

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #21 – July 13, 2021, 06:29:01 pm

So during my brake controller installation I'd desired to separate the brake controller from the Retarder circuit. On my U320 they used twin brake pressure switches for brake application. One side of the switches is always hot and the other becomes hot with the application of the brake AND during retarder use it becomes hot because it is back feed with power from the retarder to the brakes switches even when not actuated. Both switches are in parallel. I placed two 15 amp power diodes in parallel between the two switches on the extra parallel switch to prevent power back feeding the second pressure switch. Any time the brakes are applied power is sent to the brake controller from that separated second switch. No power is sent during retarder application, even though brake lights are displayed on my coach during retarder use.
I DO NOT WANT TRAILER OR TOAD BRAKES APPLIED DURING RETARDER USE EVER. The brake controller only activated during brake application. I use my retarder sometimes for miles at a time. This would destroy trailer / toad brakes if they were active. If retarder is set to activate with brakes then trailer also activates.
Scott

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #22 – July 13, 2021, 07:34:16 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 12, 2021, 11:09:55 pm

Under 3000# is legal in state where I am licensed (WI) makes me legal wherever my bus and I are legal.
Check you state/province requirements.
Bus won't care...

I have read that all states accept our home states driver's license, so if legal in your home state, you are ok, in the other states.
But, each state can and many do, have different laws for equipment. I.E. triple towing, is ok in some states, not all states. Brakes are needed based on towed weight, per the state I am in. Same with overall length of the coach and trailer.
This site explains what we need to know as we cross state lines.
State Regulations on Travel Trailers and Driving Laws

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #23 – July 14, 2021, 10:48:36 pm

So I have been reading the posts thankfully sent by all to assist me. ALL great! Another question perplexes me. In the photo below Beside the power plug is a air connector ("left side").
Pardon my ignorance but what is this air outlet for ??
(. this can't be for a braking system would it?)
The P.O. did not give any info and I believe the only cables I got from him were for power and the safety cables. Thoughts?

Re: Enclosed trailer plug compatability

Reply #24 – July 14, 2021, 10:52:50 pm

Yes Braking System for toad

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