installing a brake controller and hitch

Brake controllers are super simple to install. You will need the plug n play harness adapter for your specific vehicle. The hardest part is finding a location to mount it. It took me about 15 mins to install mine.

As far as WD goes it depends on which one you get. If you get an EQ then the L brackets will require a little work. If you go with something like a Blue Ox then all you have to do is slide the chain brackets on top if the a frame and tighten. You may have to move a propane tank or battery, so it's good to get all the measurements for the one you are using and compare it to the TT. Other than that the WDH just slides into your receiver. You will have to adjust it anyway after you leave the dealer since the TT will be empty and most of the time the dealers never get it adjusted right. So you might as well do it right the 1st time. You may be able to have the dealer torque your ball on the WD if they're easy to deal with.

For Brake Controller your vehicle is probably already wired. Buy the adapter for the Prodigy to avoid splicing ($25 +/-). My Chrysler product plugin was near the emergency brake on the firewall.

OP's Hitch

You're looking at a basic WD hitch, and nothing wrong with that setup, I ran it for 9 years and it's the most common WD hitch type you see on the road today, mainly due to cost IMO. You did not mention the specs on your trailer, so there may be better choices for a couple of hundred bucks more. Equilizer, Reese Dual Cam, and Blue Ox Sway Pro all have big followings and are superior to what you're looking at as they have built in sway control.

If you decide on the EZ Lift setup, it's not hard to install your self and dial in correctly.

As others advised, go with a Tekonsha controller as they probably have a pigtail adapter for your truck making it plug and play in most cases. What model truck btw?

X2 on the Prodigy brand and eTrailer.com. I've been using the same unit for 7+ years with no challenges.

APT wrote:
Not all WDH and brake controllers are the same. $1000 is on the high side, but $500 for a mid-range WDH, $125 for Prodigy P2/P3, plus installation for both.

Please get at least the Equal-i-zer vs. the EAZ Lift.

X2
Don;t buy any other brake controller than a Tekonsha Prodigy II or III. Tekonsha supports their products well and they also sell the vehicle-specific pigtail connectors. Unless you have an import vehicle, installing the controller is easier than putting in a new light bulb. There are a couple of brake controller systems that may surpass the Prodigy but the Prodigy is a darn fine brake controller.

AFAIK, any Ford pickup truck built after 2003 has it's own factory controller (if ordered with the trailer package).

Not all WDH and brake controllers are the same. $1000 is on the high side, but $500 for a mid-range WDH, $125 for Prodigy P2/P3, plus installation for both.

Please get at least the Equal-i-zer vs. the EAZ Lift.

Which brake controller and which WD setup? At over $1,000 you should be getting some good stuff, otherwise I'd tell the dealer 'no deal.' JMHO

Its not hard but needs to be done right. Dealers always make extra money on doing the additional work. But on my first TT I paid to have it done. Now I would do it myself. The controller hooks into the wiring harness of the TV and you might need an adapter wire for that. Go to etrailer.com and tell them the TV you have and which controller you would like, they will give you assistance. You can also order your hitch from them. The only trick is the set up the WD bars properly, measure twice drill once. Just take your time. Part of rving for some is the joy of doing the work.

Happy trails

The WD hitch part just bolts on and slides into your existing hitch (do you have that?)....The sway control needs some holes drilled. Depending on how far home is, you could take it home without the sway control.

What type of brake controller are they planning to install?