Prodigy 2 for Ford F250 and E350

[sonuvabug]

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.

[Brisk]

This link may help with installing the controller in your Rav4. Not sure what year you have.

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-brake-controller-2011-toyota-rav4-90885.aspx

[sonuvabug]

Just returned form our first trip using the Prodigy2 with our 2001 Ford F250 with truck camper pulling a 3,000 cargo trailer. Delighted to say it worked like a charm in the Ozarks and helped keep our trailer in check at all times. I had it set to the Boost 2 level in the hills and it did the job without drama.

What a positive difference compared to when we pulled this exact same trailer without electric brakes.

[Hybridhunter]

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.

[RCMAN46]

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.

[carringb]

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.

[carringb]

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.

[sonuvabug]

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]

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.

[carringb]

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.

[BarneyS]

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

[sonuvabug]

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?

[ScottG]

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.