Boler Brakes do I need controller

[immrbill]

Discovered my 1980 Boler has trailer brakes. My tow vehicle is a 96 Ford Ranger 4.0 4wd Automatic. Few real steep hills here in the Wheat country of SE Washington state, but we will venture out more once we settle in to the Boler.

Do I need to get a brake controller installed, Mechanic thought pickup wise I'd be alright without controller, but he also thought I could be liable if the trailer had brakes and something was to happen(accident ) and I didn't have them hooked up.

[Harvey]

You cannot properly activate your trailer brakes without a correctly wired & set up brake controller. If you apply power to the electric brakes of your Boler without using a controller the brakes will simply 'lock up' or at least apply maximum braking power they're capable of, continuously until the power is interrupted, you blow a fuse, or a wire gets too hot.

There are several good brake controllers at reasonable prices. I personally prefer the Tekonsha Prodigy series (Prodigy, P-2, or P-3). Not sure if your Ranger is already 'wired' for a brake controller. If it has a factory tow package chances are it is already wired for a brake controller. If not, it is a relatively simple matter to trace the necessary circuits & connect to them. If your truck is already wired for a controller, when you order the controller you can probably order a 'pigtail' made especially to connect your vehicle to the controller you select.

[Borrego Dave]

Yes you do, get a Prodigy P2. Your Ranger does not have the plug & play wiring under the dash, 2011 was the only year. Wiring it in is easy. Go to Etrailer and watch a video for the install on your truck. BTW, as long as your trailer already has brakes it's a no brainer not to use them.

[Bob Miller]

You don't want to come off of Snoqualmie Pass in the rain without trailer brakes. I did once, never again. Trailer brakes are for more than stopping, they will also save your bacon if you get excessive sway. If ya got em' use em'

[immrbill]

Thanks all I'll get on it. My Ranger has the tow package and I wasn't familiar with a trailer with brakes.

[Keaner]

If you have a trailer package on your truck and the trailer is already wired, it's as easy as buying the controller and plugging it in.
Don't cheap out and get a timed delay controller, make sure it's a proportional controller. You'll be glad you got it.

[Keaner]

If you have a trailer package on your truck and the trailer is already wired, it's as easy as splicing in your controller.. easy task.
Don't cheap out and get a timed delay controller, make sure it's a proportional controller. You'll be glad you got it.