Greetings and another brake question

[Ffmedic2112]

Greetings from central Ohio. We just purchased a '77 model 1977. We upgraded from a delapidated pop-up. The camper is in great shape considering age but I'm totally new to electric brakes. I understand I need to get a brake controller but my question is concerning the wiring. The camper has a 4 pin connection. Is this normal for electric brakes or do I need to upgrade to a 7 pin on the camper and my truck? If the 4 pin is sufficient do the electric brakes run off the camper's 4 pin and the controller run on the brake wires of my truck's 4 pin? I hope this question makes sense to all

 

[RRBUSB]

I'm still learning, but if your trailer only has a 4 pin connector, you need to check further to see if you have electric brakes on the trailer. I'm thinking you need more wires than the 4. Do you have additional wires that are not hooked into your wire connector?

I am sure someone with a lot more knowledge will give you a better answer. Enjoy the rig, and as you have probably noticed, there is a lot of information and helpful people on here.

 

[PappaP]

Like rrbusb said, I'm also still learning. But I do know that you would need 7-pin connections for electric brakes to work, the 4-pin is just for brake lights and turn signals. Here is helpful link also that poprichie had posted.

Trailer Wiring Diagrams | etrailer.com

 

[raamw]

In Illinois the law is any trailer with a GVW of 3000 pounds or more requires brakes, dual axle trailers of between 3K and 5K need only one axle with brakes and over5K all axles need brakes. Your vehicle sticker will show the GVW since most states base their licensing fees on GVW, they also require a brake away brake capability
Now if it has 4 pins, that is just for the lights, you have a ground, right, left and both (running lights....headlights on)
To be safe I would not want to tow a trailer of over 2K without brakes since a trailer will easily jack knife you in a split second

To have electric brakes I believe the minimum would be 5, the fifth wire would be for brakes, you don't see that much but the standard is a 7 pin which includes a positive for recharging the battery on the trailer

check out this site for detailed wiring info

Trailer Wiring Diagrams | etrailer.com