Removed cigarette lighter for a project...

[mrmo]

My opinion, is you have a truck capable of towing, so it’s just “proper” to have the brake controller. It looks good and there’s a good chance you or the next owner will be glad it’s there at some point.

Thats a clean install on the Redarc controller...does it come with that labeled trim piece? I have that on a "to order" list but dont remember that piece. Looks good like that.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Thats a clean install on the Redarc controller...does it come with that labeled trim piece? I have that on a "to order" list but dont remember that piece. Looks good like that.

You buy that bezel separately (can't recall maybe it was from Redarc). Then you use a white paint stick to color the recessed letters.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Totally silly to have a truck with a tow package and not have a trailer brake controller.
Lack of trailer brakes may mean the idiot hauled a trailer without brakes and abused the truck's brakes.

Or it could mean that the “idiot” bought a truck that had a tow package on it and said idiot never actually towed anything?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Or it could mean that the “idiot” bought a truck that had a tow package on it and said idiot never actually towed anything?

Could be either way - but it's amazing the number of people that hook onto a utility trailer, load it with rock or dirt and drive away - no trailer brakes.
All one has to do is look at the receiver - you'll know if it's been used at all.
Very easy to determine. I used to inspect used vehicles for prospective buyers.
Observations, clues - you can tell how a vehicle has been used or driven.

 

[Camaroboi13]

All one has to do is look at the receiver - you'll know if it's been used at all.
Very easy to determine. I used to inspect used vehicles for prospective buyers.
Observations, clues - you can tell how a vehicle has been used or driven.

Oh I gotcha. So because I tow a 17 foot bass boat 2 or 3 times a year without a brake controller one can only assume that I’m hauling 10,000 pounds of rocks and dirt back there every day. Makes perfect sense ??

 

[Lunentucker]

I pull maybe two or three loads a year when putting down mulch in the spring.
Never had any need for a trailer brake controller, but the tow package gives me what I need to hook up and go.

The trailer full is 70 bags. If they're wet it'll be about 50 pounds per bag.
So 3000-3500 lbs.

Anyway, I took the cigarette lighter out and installed a USB powered battery tender that's wired back to my batteries.

When I need to charge up I turn the power on and let the USB recharge my batteries overnight.

Honestly though, it's not been doing a great job. I'm thinking it may be time to replace them batteries.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I pull maybe two or three loads a year when putting down mulch in the spring.
Never had any need for a trailer brake controller, but the tow package gives me what I need to hook up and go.

The trailer full is 70 bags. If they're wet it'll be about 50 pounds per bag.
So 3000-3500 lbs.

Anyway, I took the cigarette lighter out and installed a USB powered battery tender that's wired back to my batteries.

When I need to charge up I turn the power on and let the USB recharge my batteries overnight.

Honestly though, it's not been doing a great job. I'm thinking it may be time to replace them batteries.

Then don't visit Iowa - you can be fined and told to leave your trailer.
Most states say 3,000 pounds and you must have trailer brakes (surge brakes count)
Enforcement does pull people over around here.
(and if you drive an old nasty looking full-size van north on I35 the IHP may gather and pull you over and ask to look in the back if they hear people back there)

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