Electric trailer brake controller ...

[mojo]

Hi all,

I'm probably buying a camper trailer soon, and the one we are interested in has electric trailer brakes. I've never had an trailer with electric brakes before, but I assume I need to set the Defender up with a brake controller of some sort? So,

- what do you guys use/recommend in terms of controller?
- where do you mount them, and is it a DIY job?

Cheers
Sean

[Tombie]

Redarc Tow Pro

[Tombie]

And yes if you have a little electrical capability it's a DIY install.

[Fluids]

I'll second the Redarc Tow Pro. I installed one in the D2 recently. Control unit is hidden away under the dash with a single illuminated knob you mount on the dash somewhere (connects via a supplied Cat5/network cable to the brake controller). I mounted the knob in the top LH corner of the instrument binnacle ... push the knob for manual activation of the trailer brakes ... I can do this without removing my hand from the steering wheel.

Has 2 modes. 1st is an on-road proportional setup which applies trailer brakes based on how hard you are braking. 2nd mode is on off-road mode where the brakes get applied full strength (based on how high you've dialed the "knob"). Great offroad where you can bias the trailer brakes higher to act like an anchor so there's more braking on the trailer for down hill descents.

My first electric brake controller experience. Very impressed with it !

[Icecream]

And yes if you have a little electrical capability it's a DIY install.

Tombie, where did you tap into the factory wiring harness? Also any chance of a photo of the switch location that you chose.

Cheers,

Ice cream

[mojo]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've also spoken to a couple of mates who have recommended the Redarc, so it sounds like it's the way to go.

Cheers
Sean

[loneranger]

I have a Tekonsha Prodigy on one vehcile I had the wiring installed by an auto electrician and I did the other. When I picked up the 90 from the autosparkie I asked how he wired it in and they said the easiest way was to run the power directly to the battery and the brake wires to the trailer plug and connect in to the trailer harness.

When I did the 110 I did it that way and found it quite easy.

[weeds]

Pretty sure it's a requirement to power the brake controller direct from the battery.......

I had a P3 in the defer and worked well, tried to upgrade to TowPro but it wasn't compatible with with my electric over hydraulic pump[emoji30][emoji30]

[Tombie]

Pretty sure it's a requirement to power the brake controller direct from the battery.......

I had a P3 in the defer and worked well, tried to upgrade to TowPro but it wasn't compatible with with my electric over hydraulic pump[emoji30][emoji30]

Can you provide any reasoning why?

Seems an interesting issue

[weeds]

Can you provide any reasoning why?

Seems an interesting issue


My pump is from Felk Trailers, thought I would try a tow pro in the new lux......couldn't get it to work, well it did to an extent but after first application the pump would receive a few volts and continue to pump. I first used the factory loom than ran news wires without luck.

Installed the P3 out of the fender and no problems.

A guy at work just upgraded his Kimberly with a pump with tow pro and has no issues.

Have the tow pro away in the end....was looking for a neater install but the P3 work that's all that counts.

I fact still have he tow pro knob in the dash

[Tombie]

My pump is from Felk Trailers, thought I would try a tow pro in the new lux......couldn't get it to work, well it did to an extent but after first application the pump would receive a few volts and continue to pump. I first used the factory loom than ran news wires without luck.

Installed the P3 out of the fender and no problems.

A guy at work just upgraded his Kimberly with a pump with tow pro and has no issues.

Have the tow pro away in the end....was looking for a neater install but the P3 work that's all that counts.

I fact still have he tow pro knob in the dash

Thanks... Thats interesting.... At least you got something working

[mojo]

Well I finally got around to buying a Tow Pro, and I'm just trying to work out where to mount the unit and the control knob. If anyone has advice or even better pics of where they've mounted there's it would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Sean

[technophile]

Tekonsha P3 - Second to none.

The Redarc towpro is the "best looking" but they are having some issues with them failing. Not what you want when you are towing a heavy trailer.

The P3 is proven

[tonyf]

I have an earlier RedArc unit in my TD5, mounted at bottom right hand corner of central dash. But the TowPro, which I would use now, needs only one hole for the control knob (and a very small adjacent one for the LED) and it can be mounted on one of your spare switch blanks. The main unit will easily fit behind the dash panel.

[Icecream]

Here is how i mounted my towpro on my 130. I used the head light leveling hole in the Centre facia as it isn't on my car. Only requires the small locating knob hole to be drilled and some modification to the blanking cover.

Cheers Ice Cream.

Sent from my GT-I9195T using AULRO mobile app

[DOS LANDY]

Pardon the title, I put the Redarc control knob on the centre console between the cup holders and it's easy to access and looks neat.

[Tombie]

Pardon the title, I put the Redarc control knob on the centre console between the cup holders and it's easy to access and looks neat.


Would look very neat - concerned what would happen if bumped! Which would be easy to do located there...

[Tombie]

I have an earlier RedArc unit in my TD5, mounted at bottom right hand corner of central dash. But the TowPro, which I would use now, needs only one hole for the control knob (and a very small adjacent one for the LED) and it can be mounted on one of your spare switch blanks. The main unit will easily fit behind the dash panel.


Led is built into the tow pro knob. Only one hole to cut.