Mounting a Tekonsha P3 in the D3 cabin

[Ashes]

I'm looking at a Tekonsha P3 as a brake controller. I think I've got the wiring installation sorted in my head but just want some advice from those who have mounted the controller in the cabin.

Looks like there are 3 obvious spots each with their pros and cons
- above the left knee - looks neat but difficult to reach?
- in the ashtray in the centre console - neat but we often use the area in front for small items
- on the dash above the left hand drives vent - looks easy to reach and read but not the neatest place to put it.

Can the P3 be attached reliably and securely without the mounting bracket? eg. double sided tape directly to the trim and unit or can the plastic mounting cradle itself be attached to the trim without the bracket?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I have the P3 mounted above the left knee on the removable trim panel. It is positioned so it can be seen through the gap between the spokes in the lower LH quadrant of the steering wheel. It is only a slight stretch forward to adjust and is out of the way the rest of the time.

Must advise however, the P3 was putting electrical feedback disturbances back through the electrical system and I received the whole gammut of system failures in the 48 hours after it was fitted. A diode on the brake switch feed solved the problems.

[Lobster]

Hi Ashes

I too have recently installed a Tekonsha P3 in my RRS in a similar position as Lotz-A-Landies.

I can see the display through the spokes on the steering wheel & the manual control lever is very easily reached.

[Ashes]

How did you attach the unit to the trim?

[jonesy63]

A suggestion that a local auto-electrician made to me - think about mounting it above the right hand knee - so you can still use the blinkers.

[TerryO]

In my opinion brake controllers should be in easy quick reach in case of an emergency and for that reason alone its worth having two small holes drilled in your dash above the vent to mount it, as in option three.

It might be considered unsightly to have a brake controller mounted up on the dash but if you need to use the override brakes in an emergency where what ever your towing is trying to jacknife you and you can't reach it quickly then chances are it won't be just your dash that no longer looks 100% intact.

To me the P3 in our D3 looks excellent mounted up on the dash, in this instance I reckon function over appearance is more important ... ;)

cheers,
Terry

[Lotz-A-Landies]

In my opinion brake controllers should be in easy quick reach in case of an emergency and for that reason alone its worth having two small holes drilled in your dash above the vent to mount it, as in option three.

It might be considered unsightly to have a brake controller mounted up on the dash but if you need to use the override brakes in an emergency where what ever your towing is trying to jacknife you and you can't reach it quickly then chances are it won't be just your dash that no longer looks 100% intact.

To me the P3 in our D3 looks excellent mounted up on the dash, in this instance I reckon function over appearance is more important ... ;)

cheers,
TerryTerry

I reckon there wouldn't be much difference in the time it takes you to reach over to a controller and the time it takes to reach under to a controller mounted above one's left knee. In fact my hands are more often at the bottom of the wheel, so it may be a microsecond quicker to get to one's knee.

[Ashes]

I agree the controller needs to be where it is best for manual operation and this may be different per person.

Still would like to know if the controller can be mounted securely without the metal bracket or plastic cradle?

[TerryO]

Hi Diana,

Again in my humble opinion, having the brake controller mounted within arms length just below eye level and nearly straight in front of you is both far quicker and safer when trying to reach the override brake slide in an emergency.

Having to, in a split second, reach down under the steering wheel to try and reach a lever that is mounted in front of your legs is far less likely to end well. Especially as sudden movement can often lock the seatbelt making it hard to lean forward.

*updated* The reason I have opinions about this is about 18 months ago when I was towing a large heavy trailer down a bumpy back road at about 80 kph with the good old D2 it got the sways up big time and nearly turned me straight into the front of a 18 wheeler coming the other way. I tried to hit the override brakes to straighten it up and couldn't reach it. By luck it straighten up by itself otherwise I wouldn't be here but it scared the hell out of me and my passenger. I shortly after bought the D3 and mounted the controller in an easily reached position.

Seriously if you have been through an experience like that you won't care if you have to drill ten holes in your dash to put the controller in a easily reached position because you'll never want to go through that again and I consider myself very lucky that I didn't end up in a serious accident.

cheers,
Terry

[sniegy]

I agree the controller needs to be where it is best for manual operation and this may be different per person.

Still would like to know if the controller can be mounted securely without the metal bracket or plastic cradle?

Ashes,
Have seen many of these & mid to long term they come away.
They look great to begin with but in the end gravity wins with dirt, grit & sand eventually wearing the adhesion away.

Use the cradle & affix it to a panel & enjoy. The holes can be repaired if these are an issue for you later. (can help if req.)

Cheers

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[Graeme]

My P3 cradle is attached to a light aluminium bracket that hooks over the left clip of the cover below the steering wheel in my D4 when in use.