Mack Semi for towing boat
 

I have a mack semi tractor I plan on setting up to tow my 40' formula. I have a question, maybe someone has done it.

I plan on having a reciever type hitch fabbed for it. But my question is about the electrical hookups. The trailer has electric brakes. I would need to install a brake controller, I guess a inertia triggered one due to the airbrakes. The other question would be is how to design/make a harnesss from the tractor to the trailer for the lights/brakes? My standard semi style one wont work due to the elec trailer brake issue. Anyone know where to get the parts for a project like this?

draw tire has a kit with brake controller a 7 lead receiver.

The electric brake controller is activated by the same signal that operates the brake lights. Are semis 12v or 24 volt? Don't know if that's an issue. It then directs a variable electrical load down one wire to the trailer brakes. There's typically 4 wires on a brake controller:1) brake signal, 2) 12v+, 3) braking power to the trailer, and 4) I don't remember, maybe ground. So only 1 wire goes back to the connector.

As for a wiring harness, work from the trailer forward. What type of connector at the trailer? Just about any parts store will have the tow vehicle side compatible connector. Run wires from that connector and tap those wires in the appropiate circuit and you're done. Assuming it's all 12v. Should be only 5 wires: 1)electric brakes (blue), 2)running/tail lights (brown), 3)left turn/brake, 4)right turn/brake, 5)ground (white). Yeah, I never remember which is right or left, yellow or brown.

Another thing to keep in mind is traction on a boat ramp.

Post up some pics of the semi so we can get a better idea of what you're working with

bE CAREFULL find all the laws out on it first. Go to mack or ford or any heavy truck dealer to have them wire the truck.

Here is one of ours with the 35 ex behind us. We have never had a problem pulling the boat out of a ramp just go slow and drop air bags.

Jeff, NICE tow rig !!!

i put a ball on the front of my rig. you never know when you will need to thread the needle. if you put a box on the back you can carry a car inside. it's nice to go out for dinner in the car. over.

Only this is is you have to watch the length laws