Trailer brake controller mounting

[Red_Z]

Hey all,
Today I joined your ranks with the purchase of a 2000 Excursion XLT PSD. I've only driven it a couple of hours now, but I love it.

I need some advice hooking up a brake controller. It didn't have a trailer brake controller installed yet, so I've picked up a controller and am ready to mount it. I've got the pigtail and have found where to plug it in, but I need help mounting the actual unit in the dash. Before I just go screwing the thing in any old place, I was wondering if anyone can offer good suggestions for where to mount. It looks like it can go just to the right of the fuse box panel. Do I just screw right into the plastic there? I'm guessing I need to pick up some of those metal backing plates to put behind the plastic and screw into? Can I get something like that from Home Depot or do I need an auto parts store? Thanks in advance.

Dave Zavelson
Austin, TX

[jogiba]

Check this out.
http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbt...o=&fpart=1

I just screwed my bracket that came with the Prodigy just under the cubby hole in the dash like they did.

[dmftoy1]

It depends on what type of brake controller you've got as some have to be perfectly level to function well. So make sure you can get it to the position that you want whereever you mount it. If you've got a prodigy then it's not as critical and you can just mount it where you've indicated. (that's where mine is). I used 2 coarse threaded wood screws and pre-drilled the holes (small) and it's holding really nice without backing plates. Probably be a nicer installation to use machine screws and a backing plate though.

Regards,
Dave

[75highboy]

I use sticky-back Velcro. I knew I was going to sell my '01 F-350 soon, so I Velcro'ed it to the dash vertically where the 4x4 switch is located on a ESOF truck. This F-350 had manual shifting transfer case. When I sold the truck, the Velcro came right off. On my Excursion, I mounted it with Velcro below the cubby hole. There's an indent area there that seems to be just for a brake controller, but really it's for clearance for the manual transfer case shifter. I bought a package of Velcro at Wal-Mart. It is 3/4" wide and comes in black or white. It was not quite $3. One package will do probably 5 controllers! I used white on the last truck, but it shows too much on the Excursion. I bought black this time around and it blends right in. I guess I'll have to take a pic. One warning, wipe the area down with rubbing alcohol to remove any "Armor-All" type stuff.

[Red_Z]

Thanks to all for the tips. I ended up installing tonight using a couple of sheet metal screws just below the cubby. Everything went well and I should be all set for my tow this weekend. Thanks alot.
Dave

[JOE_M]

Diddo,with 75HIGHBOY velcro's the way to go.