Hello, this is my first post and I wanted to call on your forum's knowledge in addressing a problem I'm having.

I'm about to buy a pop-up camper and in my preparations I found that the electrical socket near the rear hitch of my Ram was corroded. I've replaced it and checked with a multimeter, and all the lights on the camper should get their juice when I pick it up, except for one...

I cant get any reading for the trailer brakes output. I did some searching on this forum and found a reference to the following site, which implies that I need to buy extra parts to utilize the trailer's electrical brakes.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Replies greatly appreciated!

http://www.etrailer.com/faq_dbc.aspx

Welcome to the forum

I am not sure what year your truck is but I am sure that none of them came with brake controllers. You will have to purchase that(walmartor a local parts store).

But pulling a popup trailer it should not have electrical brakes on the trailer so you may not want to invest into one.

Brad

It's a 1996 Ram 1500 5.2 liter. The pop-up does come with electric brakes and weighs 3400 lbs.

well if it does come equiped with electrical brakes then you need to purchase this:

It would be helpful if you supplied some more information regarding what "that" is. I know I need one for my trailer.

Is the socket on the truck a 4-way flat or 6-7 round. The tailer brake controller is something that you are going to have to purchase and the brake,reverse if needed and accessorry powerwiring, will need to be added. Most do not mess with reverse lights. Go to U-Haul and they will install the setup for under 50. bucks in 25 minutes with relays. Their price for the controller and 7-way socket, is average with everyone else.

It's a 7 pole round socket. I verified with the seller of the pop-up that her plug is that type.

if thats the case you just need the brake controller. Im not sure but your truck should have a plug under the dash for a brake controler. Mine does but its an 01. not sure what years have it. heres a nice setup i found but have yet to buy. You can also buy the wiring harness from him.
In the second action, it says the harness is for 96-present, so if you have a factory tow package, you should be all set.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tekon...mZ250156455565

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Prodi...mZ250084213210

yes, according to the owner's manual it has a connector under the dash. I just bought a brake kit at Walmart, and I think I have the extra wiring that came with the truck when I bought it. I'll see tonight or tomorrow if it all works out. Thank you for your replies, and I'll let you know how it goes.

make sure you follow the wire diagram...when i set mine up, the wires were not color matching. I match the colors together and the brakes were locking up as soonas i touched the brakes. after looking at the diagram, and reconnecting the wires correctly, the brakes worked properly.