Recommended brake controller

[LRChris]

I want to fit a brake controller to my D4 SE. Any recommendations on which controller I should be looking at ? I will be towing a 2.5 ton caravan. Cheers

[aew849]

G'day LRChris,

Not sure about the D4, but I recently fitted a Redarc remote unit to the D3 SE. Basically all you see is the control switch (rotate for gain and press for emerg brake, plus a dual colour led. Very neat installation...(pity the installer stuffed around with the wires).

I went for this because the usual controllers are bulky and there isn't any logical spot for them.


aew849

RR Sport TDV8

Formerly:
2007 Disco3 SE
2004 Deefer 130 TD5
2002 Deefer 110 TD5
1998 Deefer 110 Td1
1980 Series 3 88"

[Platypus]

There appear to be two types of electric controller. I have a Tekonsha in my GQ and will fit a similar unit in the D4 when it arrives. This works via some form of pendulum which alters the voltage applied to the trailer's brakes proportionally to the rate of deceleration of the towing vehicle, so the harder you stop the higher the applied voltage and thus the greater the applied brake pressure.
The other type is simpler and thus a bit smaller and easier to hide as it only applies a preselected voltage to the trailer's brakes and thus whether you brake gently or hard the same voltage is applied to the brakes which could be too much in gentle braking or too little if you need to stop rather more rapidly. But you could always manually increase the voltage by turning the knob which in either variety should be within easy reach.
Paul

[Jojake]

Mate this has been discussed at length in this thread

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/97935-d4-electric-trailer-brakes.html

For my two cents worth I will be fitting the Prodigy P3 to my D4 as I want the progressive ability of brake application that the system offers. I realise that the Redarc is smaller and neater but prefer the overall benefits of the prodigy especially when the lovely lady is towing the van. As I said just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers Dave

[Glynhouse]

I have been towing a van in the 3 tonne bracket for the last 15 years, and am finding it quite interesting that a lot on here use the Redarc or equivalent, in the circles that I has been frequenting for quite a while there is only one controller of choice and that is the P3.
Not saying it is the only one, but for heavy vans most folk may try a few but all seem to end up with the P3.
The D3 I have just bought has a Voyager allready fitted, definately not known as one to drool over but I am going to try it, if nessesary I will Putin a P3.

DD

[Jojake]

Forgot to add yesterday, the P3 Prodigy's are on ebay for around $170 out of Melbourne which seems a good price considering I paid over 200 for the last one from a commercial outlet.
Cheers Dave

[LRChris]

Thanks for your replies.

Any recomendations on the best position to fit the Prodigy P3 controller in a D4 ? Does anyone have a photo of their installation ? Someone mentioned fitting a controller in the ash tray position. Is this possible ?

Cheers, Chris

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Actually I think it's called the Tekonsha P3, the "Prodigy" name is only assumed and some of the functions of the Prodigy and Prodigy P2 are absent from the P3.

[disco4now]

On this thread I have some pictures of the Tekonsha P3 mounted in a D4.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/97935-d4-electric-trailer-brakes-7.html

The extra cable you see is for the screen for the rear camera.

Regards
Gerry

[discotwinturbo]

The Tekonsha is quote bulky and looks a bit messy in a modern car like a D4.....part of the reason I went with the redarc (have had about 4 Tekonshas over the years)

[TerryO]

What ever controller you get remember one thing, if you mount it in some out of the way spot like the ash tray or under the dash etc and you need to use the override function in an emergency you will be stuffed.

Try reaching down to find a lever or button without taking your eyes off of the road while your braking heavilly and your van is pushing you side ways and see what happens? By the time you get to it, it will be way to late, these situations happen in a split second and what also stuffs you further is once you hit the brakes in your car the seat belt holds you in place so if you can't reach the override without leaning forward then your in even more trouble.

On the D3 I mounted my P3 on the left hand side of the dash just above the air vent and just below eye level but in a very easy place to reach. Sure it meant there are two small screw holes in the dash but that is a small price to pay so I can quickly easilly and safely engage the emergency override brakes.

I used to tow our van with the D2a, one day it seriously got the wobbles up on a rough bit of narrow two lane back road just as I reached a small narrow bridge with a Semi coming the other way at 100 k's. Even with the controller mounted on the dash because I had not practised using it I quickly found myself in trouble as the D2a started to go sideways heading straight for the truck. By luck only it straightened itself up and nothing happened. I now once or twice each time I go out with the van practise reaching for the override lever and put the vans brakes on like it was an emergency so it becomes automatic.

All brake controllers have an override function for emergengcy braking situations like mentioned, it you can't reach it easilly then one day you might end up seriously regretting it. I was just lucky that I didn't get squashed by 40 tons of truck.

cheers,
Terry

[gromit]

As already mentioned there are two basic types of electric brake controller.

Digital - Trailer brakes are either on or off.
Analogue - Uses a pendulum to detect the rate of deceleration and applies the trailer brakes to suit the rate of deceleration.
Both types need to be adjusted to suit the load you are towing.

When towing my camper the digital type was a pain. The brake setting was either too great (trailer trying to slow the car) or too little (I was constantly reaching for the override button to apply more braking). Get it set Ok'ish for normal braking then you have to brake a bit harder and reach for the panic button again......

I now only use the pendulum type.
I've used a couple of different Tekonsha's, another American brand on my Defender (name escapes me) and on on the latest company car a Hayman Reece unit. I haven't had any problems with any of them except an older Tekonsha that kept switching on the brake lights (replaced under warranty).

As mentioned, being able to instinctively reach for the override control is very important. If the trailer/van starts to sway you can quickly apply trailer brakes only and stop the sway.


Colin

[discotwinturbo]

What ever controller you get remember one thing, if you mount it in some out of the way spot like the ash tray or under the dash etc and you need to use the override function in an emergency you will be stuffed.

Part of the reason I like my redarc. Visible, and easier to reach then going under the dash.
Also super easy to adjust for both my 2.5 t and 3.5 t trailers. I can quickly adjust the right amount of breaking to how I like it instead of balancing two adjustments.
Override is just a push button, and have used this a couple of times down slippery tracks. It wont lock it on like I could do on my Tekonsha (when i put it hard on) but progressively brakes the trailer in an a moment. The override is very smooth.
Also blends in better to the D4.