brake controller for trailer

[T5Pete]

anyone had a brake controller fitted to a T5GP? I need one for moving a nag around in a trailer, and the horse

[Skoda VW]

I installed one in MY11 T5 2 weeks ago. What do you need to know?

[Skoda VW]

Heres what I did.

I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE IF YOU FOLLOW MY ADVICE.

The Problems -

1. VW use CANBUS system and there is no "Brake Switch" as such. It is part of the brake master cylinder assembly.

2. The 13 pin Euro to 7 Pin Flat adaptor supplied by VW is annoyingly short. Also if you buzz out the connector the brake pin in the flat connects to pin 2 in the euro which is "rear fog light"....WTF. When they made the adaptor they went colour for colour and blue in the Euro standard is for fog light.

I thought about taking the 13 pin off and installing a standard 7 pin round, but there is a switch built into the 13 pin euro socket and due to the CANBUS and not knowing exactly how the electronics in the vehicle react to the switch state I decided to leave it installed.

Solution -

I made my own adaptors and cut the cables off my caravan and trailer. I installed 7 pin round sockets on both the caravan and trailer which allows me to easily change towing cars. Same as what trailer hire companies have done to their rigs.

I purchased the Euro connectors off Ebay (I had trouble finding anyone who stocked them in Oz). Pin 12 in the euro connector standard is listed as "Coupled Trailer" or "Not assigned" depending on which website you use. I used this pin for electric brake as there is no assignment in the spec for Electric Brakes. They don't use them in Europe.

There is a trailer interface box connected to the CANBUS mounted in the Multivan under the front passenger seat. I did all wiring on the trailer socket side of interface box loom to keep the brake controller completely isolated from the CANBUS.

In the wiring loom there is also a 2 pin connector floating about with nothing connected to it. One wire Yellow and the other White/Brown. These two wires go directly to pin 10 and 11 in the euro socket. Pin 10 "Switched 12V" and pin 11 "Earth return for pin 10". I took the wire out of pin 11 on the socket and put it into pin 12. I used this wire for the brake control output to the rear. Use the other wire to connect to a relay for switched 12V for your fridge. Only perm 12V on pin 9 is availble in the socket. REMEMBER wire your adaptor for these changes.

I tapped off the stop signal on the output of the trailer contol box and used it as the brake input to the electric brake controller. THERE ARE THREE PROBLEMS USING THIS AS YOUR BRAKE SWITCH SIGNAL.

1. If you have criuse control on and you apply brake to the trailer using the override switch on your controller the cruise control will not auto disengage. I figure if your trying to stop sway in your rig you don't want to back off on the accelerator when applying trailer brake anyway.

2. When you apply brake to the trailer using the manual overide, the brake lights on your car won't come on only the ones on your trailer. If I'm towing my caravan you can't see my car brake lights if your behind me anyway so no prob.

3. When you apply trailer brake manually I think it gives a faulty lamp indication on the dash. It goes out when you restart the car. May be able to get rid of if you fit a isolation diode in line. Think I did this on my Skoda but can't remember. I would need to have another look.

Wire up 12V and Earth as normal to your controller and your done.

The controller I use is a proportional unit and cannot be mounted with an angle greater than 70 degrees. I mounted the controller in the hazard switch pocket. I removed the hazard light assembly and cut the back of the box off. Used double sided tape and a screw from the side to scure the controller.

I have wired my 2008 Skoda Scout a few years ago and have towed many km's without issue. The only difference is that they perm mount the adaptor on the car and I did all the wiring in the flat 7 pin connector at the back and not directly at the interface box.

13 Pin Euro
1 Left Hand Indicator Yellow
2 Rear fog light(s) Blue
3 Earth for contacts 1 to 8 White
4 Right Hand Indicator Green
5 Right Hand Side lights, marker lights & number plate light. Brown
6 Brake lights Red
7 Left Hand Side lights, marker lights & number plate light. Black
8 Reversing light(s) Pink
9 Positive direct from battery (Power) Orange
10 Positive ignition key on (Fridge) Grey
11 Earth return for contact 10 White/Black
12 Signalling connection to trailer White/Blue
13 Earth return for contact 9 White/Red

[T5Pete]

Brill, I don't have the stock VW towhitch, it's just an aftermarket one so no canbus wiring to worry about. Just wondering what controller people are using, the tow place quoted over $500 to fit one, some HR one has a pendulum in it or something. I guess you just give it 12v then an output to the back to drive the brakes. its for towing horses so something a little nicer than just on would prob be good.

[Skoda VW]

I used Tekonsha Primus IQ. Use the same controller in my Skoda. Paid $109 for it on eBay.

[URL="http://www.tekonsha.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1400&catID=1435&part= 90160"]