So I wired a landrover up to enable it to accept a brake controller. Uk vehicles don't have the set up to allow u to 'plug in' a brake controller. Nor is there a wiring harness u can buy. Nor should u use a feed from the existing wiring loom as the wire won't be thick enough and u risk a fire.
There a number of brake controllers out there. I chose a tekonsha prodigy rs.
(Google for wether your car will 'pair' the prodigy. I know a number of vw's won't enable pairing).
Pairing is when u enable the brake controller to talk to the wireless dongle u plug in the cigarette lighter.
U can use a cheaper unit but in the uk, the brake controller has to be mounted on the trailer. Some people are able to adapt the cheaper unit (which are made for in car mounting) to fit on the trailer but I chose to make my life easier (but more expensive)
So next u have to take a live feed from your tow vehicle (tv) battery and get it to the rear of the tv. I placed mine in plastic conduit and passed it through a gromet, through a hole
In the chassis and then mounted a U.K. S socket on the rear. I took the earth (ground in USA) back to the battery through another wire (in the same conduit). I put in a separate fuse box next to the battery with a 30 amp fuse.
The s socket needs 2 wires to be fitted to the original tow socket, from the s socket, as the 2 need to "speak to each other".
So I have a light board attached to the rear of the trailer - because the wiring on the trailer is old and a fire risk. This plugs into the existing tow socket. The brake controller plugs into the s socket.
Now one day I will rewire the trailer and just use the s socket as the trailer wires will be fed through the s socket. I will have to make connections between the s and the tow socket as in the USA they flash the brake lights for indicators which I can't do in the uk.
Shopping list:
Fuse box.
http://polevolt.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh0000...2ehtml#SID=122
Live and earth 16mm from fuse box to tv battery
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262591740469
U may need new battery terminals to allow additional wire mounting
30 amp fuse (if using prodigy rs)
Prodigy rs. I purchased from Amazon USA
4mm2 wire in black and white long enough to go from fuse box to socket at rear.
Conduit for black and white wire
Cable tie clips (they even do magnetic ones)
American socket - to match socket on brake controller. I cut the American brake controller plug off and wired on a uk one and purchased a uk 's socket' I advise against this. I would never do it again. Just get an American socket to fit on tv.
Perhaps a new original tow socket as u I broke mine getting it open
If after reading this u still want to go ahead and do it. I'll write a 'how to' with photos.
Ps also consider fitting tekonsha brake away set
Ensure new hitch ball (right size) and adjusting plate to ensure right height and torque wrench to get it right tightness.
Also check existing brake wiring (visually for nicks and break down of insulation) and check functioning of brakes and re pack wheel bearings)
Converting the electric trailer cable to European 7 pin
Linear Mode
