A truck question

[Gregor 4,846]

Several years ago I bought a tow package kit from the Nissan dealer, for my 2012 Titan.  I installed it myself. The kit consisted of the hitch, the 7 pin round plug, and relays to install under the hood. The truck was already pre-wired, just had to plug in the 7 pin. I recently bought a trailer with electric brakes. Does installing the kit alone, give me electric brakes to my trailer, or do I still need to install a brake controller?  Thanks Greg

[Pullstart 62,803]

That sounds like it depends on your truck’s prewired system.  I believe that year GM truck already had a built in trailer brake controller but I doubt that’s a mandate across the manufacturer’s board.  It needs to be adjustable so you can set your brake sensitivity based on the trailer and load.  It should be able to lock up on dirt with trailer brakes only but not pavement.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,494]

Plug it in to the trailer and hit the brakes ... you’ll hear them click if they are pre-wired...

[Achto 27,509]

Look your dash over. If you have factory installed trailer brake control you will find some thing similar to this on your dash. Nissan's may look a little different but there will be some type of adjustment knobs/switches labeled "trailer brake". 

 

 

 

 

If you don't find any thing like this then you'll have to install a controller. With the correct harness adaptor this should be a plug & play installation. I like a controller with a digital read out.  I pull a few different trailers and the read out allows me to set the brakes for the trailer I'm pulling. Example - 22ft flat bed trailer. I set the number to 25 empty and 35 loaded. This one is just an example of one with a digital read out on it.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-8508211-Proportional-Brake-EVN/dp/B01M59QRWK/ref=asc_df_B01M59QRWK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312153119455&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14249982300988350604&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018899&hvtargid=pla-457188737714&psc=1

 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Achto

[Racinbob 11,045]

I'm thinking your truck was just pre-wired for it and you'll find the wiring under the dash to connect an aftermarket brake controller. The truck owners manual and the towing package should spell that out. 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Racinbob

[Gregor 4,846]

14 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Plug it in to the trailer and hit the brakes ... you’ll hear them click if they are pre-wired...

Hmmm Never thought of that..need more coffee

 

[Gregor 4,846]

1 minute ago, Achto said:

Look your dash over. If you have factory installed trailer brake control you will find some thing similar to this

Nothing like that

 

[Gregor 4,846]

1 minute ago, Racinbob said:

 

 The truck owners manual and the towing package should spell that out. 

I thought that also. Looked at both. Neither of them mention any kind of controller

[Racinbob 11,045]

It seems to me that it's highly unlikely that a truck will have a factory controller when it didn't come out of the factory with a receiver and connector. 

[Gregor 4,846]

I watched a you tube video. "How to install a tow package on Nissan Titan" They did just what I did. They did or said nothing about a controller. May have to call the Nissan dealer.

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

This place sells the OEM trailer brake controller, not sure if it fits your year:

 

https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/nissan-controller-assy-trailer-brake~478a0-ez40b.html

 

But you can see what it looks like.

 

There are other dealers selling the OEM kit as well.

Edited March 22, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[Racinbob 11,045]

There are dozens of aftermarket that work great selling for a fraction of that. The first thing I'd do is see if I could find the wiring under the dash. If it happens to have connectors on the wires it's possible (slim chance though) that Nisan offered a factory controller that year and it would be plug and play. 

[Gregor 4,846]

Book doesn't indicate a spot for one on "Instrument Panel Display"  picture and diagram.

[squonk 41,038]

Don't forget your trailer breakaway battery , charger and activation cable. State Troopers have a field day writing tickets for these at DOT stops.

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

23 minutes ago, Gregor said:

Book doesn't indicate a spot for one on "Instrument Panel Display"  picture and diagram.

 

What year is your truck?

 

Never mind... I see it's a 2012.

 

From what I can gather looking around on the web, the Titan from 2016 on is prewired with a harness plug tucked behind the glove box.

 

Yours being a 2012 probably doesn't have this and OEM trailer brake controller may not be available for your year model.

 

 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[Gregor 4,846]

Nissan says I need a controller. OK  Get me one. "Sorry, we don't sell them"

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

13 minutes ago, Gregor said:

Nissan says I need a controller. OK  Get me one. "Sorry, we don't sell them"

 

Lots of aftermarket options at etrailer (and I'm sure others)

 

https://www.etrailer.com/bc-2012_Nissan_Titan.htm

 

https://www.etrailer.com/question-44178.html

 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[WHX?? 48,795]

2012 he said Jeff.

Does sound like you need a controller but bet the wires are there for it. Heck they were on my '95 GMC! 

Don't get too cheap with an aftermarket one. When I got my enclosed the dealer sold me one that was right around 100-125 ish CRS but has a sensor in in that knows how fast/hard you are braking and decelerating . Works better in the '95 than the built ins on a '17 Dodge 2500. 

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

Just now, WHX24 said:

2012 he said Jeff...

 ...has a sensor ...

 

Yeah, noticed that after I posted... edited my post.

 

Some of the ones I looked at a few years ago had what they called a 'three axis accelerometer'.  I installed one of these for a neighbor who pulled a large landscaping box trailer with 2 axles.  Forget the brand but it worked great.

[Achto 27,509]

3 minutes ago, Gregor said:

"Sorry, we don't sell them"

 

Stop by a local auto parts store, they should have one. Remember to get the adaptor harness for your truck. There should be a place to plug the adaptor into your truck in the fuse block or a loose plug some where.

 

Here is one complete set up for your truck. Reese is a good brand

https://www.trailerjacks.com/trailer-brake-control-for-04-17-nissan-titan-w-plug-play-wiring-adapter-reese-brakeman-iv-eletric-trailer-brakes-module-box-controller?language=en&currency=USD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6LBtf_D7wIVslPVCh1oBgeEEAQYBCABEgLhhPD_BwE

[WHX?? 48,795]

Sounds like a good deal & gonna be darn near plug & play. 

[Gregor 4,846]

I looked under my dash. It looks as though it is pre-wired. Maybe I am worried about nothing. It is a pop-up camper. 2200# dry. But I don't know what the law says. If you have electric brakes, they have to work??????

[squonk 41,038]

From E trailer :

n the USA a tandem axle utility trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 7500-lbs should have brakes installed. Any trailer over 3000-lbs must have brakes on all wheels in most states, but laws do vary. Some states require braked axles on trailers with a GVW as low as 2000-lbs; other states have a higher limit. It is best to check with authorities in your local area.

 

Even that doesn't work all the time. Years ago The NY state Troopers and County Sherriff's had different ideas on what was allowed and not allowed. Made for a crazy day at the Napa Store! 

[WHX?? 48,795]

Generally all trailers over 3k lbs or more than one axle are required by law to have brakes. Like Squonk says Johnny law might not see it that way if you have them and not hooked up. He might just let the judge sort it out. I would get them working if the camper is equipped just to ease the wear and tear on truck brakes. Sides you never know when you might have to hook up to a big tandem to go on a mission from God.... 

Edited March 22, 2021 by WHX24

[squonk 41,038]

Nothing like going on a family vacation and getting your trailer red tagged by DOT a few hundred miles from home! 

 

(Think I sold 6 break away kits that day!) 

Edited March 22, 2021 by squonk