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sonuvabug's avatar
sonuvabug
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014

Prodigy 2 for Ford F250 and E350

My brand new Prodigy 2 will be delivered this weekend. I have a 2001 Ford F250 and our 1993 E350 based Class C. I will be towing our cargo trailer with both at various times. I plan to move the Prodigy 2 from one vehicle to another.

As I do not want to be hard wired into either vehicle, do I need two separate harnesses ... one for each vehicle? If you say a Ford coupler will serve both, I do plan to sell the RV and replace it with a Toyota RAV4 for pulling the trailer.

Will I need two separate harnesses ... one for the F250 and one for the RAV4? Can you buy different harness tails/end couplers to use with different vehicles?

Sorry for all of the questions. I did search the forums and could not find an answer to these questions.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jul 11, 2014
    Yes, you can get ready made harnesses for both vehicles or make your own. Either way it will have the same plug on the P2 end. You'll want to get another mounting bracket though, otherwise you'll have to unscrew the bracket and move it between vehicles.
  • sonuvabug's avatar
    sonuvabug
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2014
    ScottG wrote:
    Yes, you can get ready made harnesses for both vehicles or make your own. Either way it will have the same plug on the P2 end. You'll want to get another mounting bracket though, otherwise you'll have to unscrew the bracket and move it between vehicles.


    Never thought about the extra bracket ... thanks. Are the ready made harnesses available from Teckonsha?
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Jul 13, 2014
    sonuvabug wrote:
    ScottG wrote:
    Yes, you can get ready made harnesses for both vehicles or make your own. Either way it will have the same plug on the P2 end. You'll want to get another mounting bracket though, otherwise you'll have to unscrew the bracket and move it between vehicles.


    Never thought about the extra bracket ... thanks. Are the ready made harnesses available from Teckonsha?

    They are available at many RV dealers. You can get them online here.

    Here is the mounting bracket.

    For the wiring adapter, I would call them and tell them what you have for a tow vehicle. They will then suggest the best solution.
    Barney
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    Both your rigs use the same brake controller plug on the truck side. However, it's not easy to reach for R&R. I would recommend buying two Ford Prodigy wire harnesses, and unplug at the brake controller end.

    http://www.etrailer.com/p-3035-P.html

    For the RAV-4, you will need to run all your own wires and use a universal Prodigy harness.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    Also, the Fords do not come with the trailer battery charge relay installed. It goes under the hood. It is supposed to be in a baggy with the owners manual, if you still have all that stuff.
  • sonuvabug's avatar
    sonuvabug
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    carringb wrote:
    Also, the Fords do not come with the trailer battery charge relay installed. It goes under the hood. It is supposed to be in a baggy with the owners manual, if you still have all that stuff.


    Dang ... I knew I'd be found out. I do have the original baggy with a few odds and ends in it. However, I AM NOT an electrickity guy at all. This sounds like I need to run a separate line to the trailer for the breakaway unit battery source or are you talking about something else?
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    sonuvabug wrote:
    carringb wrote:
    Also, the Fords do not come with the trailer battery charge relay installed. It goes under the hood. It is supposed to be in a baggy with the owners manual, if you still have all that stuff.


    Dang ... I knew I'd be found out. I do have the original baggy with a few odds and ends in it. However, I AM NOT an electrickity guy at all. This sounds like I need to run a separate line to the trailer for the breakaway unit battery source or are you talking about something else?


    THe Ford with the factory trailer tow package have the trailer battery charge wire already. The relay goes in the power distribution box under the hood. Its probably the only socket without a relay. Owner's manual describes it too.

    On the RAV4, you will need to run a battery charge wire (don't forget to fuse it!) along with the brake wires. Be sure to use a powered tail-light converter. Toyota cars in general need powered converters because the stock wiring is only sized for the stock lights, and not for the additional trailer light load.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    Oops I missed the part where the E350 is a Class C....

    THat means the RV builder may not have extended the full trailer wire harness. It may terminate in a bundle on the driver's side frame rail, either above the rear axle or possibly below the driver's seat.
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    I have three vehicles that I use to tow my utility trailer.

    I use one Prodigy P3 for the three.

    Each vehicle has its own wiring and mounting bracket. Very easy to move the Prodigy that way.
  • Hybridhunter's avatar
    Hybridhunter
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2014
    RCMAN46 wrote:
    I have three vehicles that I use to tow my utility trailer.

    I use one Prodigy P3 for the three.

    Each vehicle has its own wiring and mounting bracket. Very easy to move the Prodigy that way.


    You might have saved some effort if you had gotten surge brakes. Just sayin.....
    But any brake controller can be moved, but wiring the Rav with be a PITA.

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