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Dealership says brake controller not needed

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ChrisScout

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I’m towing for the first time, 2022 RTL-E, 2,500 lbs RV. I bought a brake controller but I haven’t messed with cars at all so asked the dealership to connect the wires that came with the truck so I could plug in the controller, since they won’t do aftermarket anything, this way they just do the wires that came with the truck.
They keep saying that the brakes for the trailer will engage when I use the truck brakes as long as 7 pin connection is made. I’ve checked the owners manual, talked to other people and this isn’t matching but I’ve called back and spoke to them 3 times and they are sticking with this story about not needing a brake controller to engage trailer brakes. Are they wrong? It’s Sheehy Honda in alexandria.
 
#2 ·
I have f450's and ram 3500's that we pull trailers with at work, every vehicle that doesn't have a factory brake controller has an aftermarket one added to it. That being said I believe you need one. Look up honda ridgeline brake controller on YouTube there are several videos on how to install them on 2nd Gen ridgelines.
 
#3 ·
There is no brake power to the 7 pin connector without the brake controller. Honda makes adding this easy as there is a 4 pin connector under the dash that you plug the controller into. You can use the universal harness that comes with your truck but you have to splice it together with the harness for the controller. Or you can buy a plug and play harness that is already spliced together. Mount the controller, plug in the harness and you are good to go.
 
#4 ·
Apex said:
There is no brake power to the 7 pin connector without the brake controller. Honda makes adding this easy as there is a 4 pin connector under the dash that you plug the controller into. You can use the universal harness that comes with your truck but you have to splice it together with the harness for the controller. Or you can buy a plug and play harness that is already spliced together. Mount the controller, plug in the harness and you are good to go.
Click to expand...
Exactly this.

Yes, you need the brake controller to activate electric/hydraulic brakes. The dealership is badly misinformed.

I don’t know which brake controller you are having installed, but if it doesn’t offer a plug-and-play wiring harness for the Ridgeline then return it and buy one that does (RedArc Tow-Pro Liberty is one such.)

Your Ridgeline is pre-wired for the TBC. With a Ridgeline-specific wiring harness, installation of a TBC is a very simple process that you can do yourself if you have just a little mechanical aptitude.
 
#8 ·
Some trailers have "surge brakes" that don't require any brake controller or any other setup. The brake is fully integrated in the trailer and works by having the mass of the trailer push forward on the tongue during braking. That forward push actuates a master cylinder that applies the trailer brakes. It's a rather ingenious system, but has some drawbacks. It's commonly found on boat trailers.

Most campers and bigger utility trailers have electric brakes. These get power from the tow vehicle via the 7-pin connector.

The Ridgeline is pre-wired for a trailer brake controller, but like many trucks, does not include one from the factory. The brake wire on that 7-pin connector will not energize without installing a brake controller. So if your trailer has electric brakes, then you will not have trailer brakes unless you have a brake controller installed.

I installed a RedArc Tow Pro Liberty brake controller and posted some pictures here:

The nice thing about the RedArc is that they offer a Ridgeline wiring harness that makes the electrical connection a snap. It literally just plugs in at each end. You do not end up using the pigtail that came with your Ridgeline and instead use the harness from RedArc.

As far as the physical installation goes, that's really difficult to answer without knowing how handy you are. It is NOT the most simple thing in the world, but it's not rocket surgery either. You have to crawl under your dash and mount the controller rigidly to something because it absolutely CANNOT move. Then you have to mount the knob somewhere reachable. There are lots of possible mounting locations for the knob, but you need to be okay with drilling holes into your Ridgeline. Mounting the knob may require removing dash or console panels. I guess my thinking is that if you have experience with installing car stereos or car alarms or remote start or whatnot, then this should be pretty easy for you. If the thought of drilling holes in your Ridgeline or removing dash panels makes your stomach turn, then I'd go have it installed elsewhere.
 
#10 ·
Our set-up:
(Controller) https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-Tow...keywords=tekonsha+90885&qid=1620972570&sr=8-3
+
(Wiring adapter) https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-3070-P
= done!

IMGP3249.JPG

The hardest part of this installation is locating the plug on the Ridgeline as it is tucked up into the corner amongst other wiring, but it is accessible without any need to do any disassembling of your Ridgeline, just plug-n-play.

Added note: We actually have the 90185 controller, but apparently it is no longer in production?

Bill
 
#13 ·
I would suggest going to etrailer and getting a suitable brake controller- there are several options, and the proper adapter cable/connector so its plug and play with your RL's existing brake controller connector tucked up under the driver's dash- steering column. There are videos on locating it, kinda tough. There should be no wiring involved.
 
#14 ·
I would ask the dealer to put a meter on the truck's plug to show you that the trailer brake pin out has power to it when you step on the brake. It will take 2 seconds to do.

If they don't want to do that to prove it has power, ask for something in writing that says you do not need a brake controller. (Spoiler alert.... they won't do that either.)

(Of course, you could put a meter on the plug and check yourself)

Image
 
#17 ·
mloganusda said:
I have a 2018 FWD Ridgeline that has no factory brake control wiring. What do I do to add a brake controller to tow a small RV trailer?
Click to expand...
If I had no experience I would do as noted above and let a shop install the wiring. It's not that difficult but tracing down wires can take awhile where they can do it in no time.

You have to tap into break lights, turn signal lights, run wires for controller, etc.
 
#20 ·
mloganusda said:
An RTV trailer under 2800 pounds as my tow rating is 3500 pounds max.
Click to expand...
For something like that, you could easily get by with surge breaks. If getting a TBC wiring harness installed ends up being a hassle, look into a surge brake coupler for the trailer instead.
 
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