Electric Brake Controllers

[stewie110]

Hi All,

I am looking at putting a brake controller in my 2015 defender 110. In my previous car I had a Hayman reese and never had any issues with it. However the market seems to have taken off somewhat since the early 2000's when I previously looked into this subject.

I have two different vendors on my radar but I am keen for feedback, the two I have are RedArc and Hayman Reese. The two models I have been looking at are the RedArc Tow Pro and Hayman Reese Sentinal (Replaced the 05300). I am still unsure why the Redarc is ~$100 more expensive.

I am keen for any feedback options or guidance on the subject..

Thanks

Jimmy.

[gavinwibrow]

Not sure if it helps, but just fitted the Redarc on auto elec's advice after Teconsha? gave up after 4 years. Its very simple (works) and the control unit easily fitted in a disco ashtray with the guts hidden behind.

[Tank]

And it is Australian made and a Quality product, look them up on Google or U-Tube, Regards Frank.

[omvanders]

Two road trips last year from Qld to SA towing a 10x6 tandem trailer full of gear were made easy, thanks in part to the Redarc Pro. A nice feature is the ready access to soft braking on the trailer wheels - independent of the brake pedal - if you get a wobble happening (not that I had cause to use it, but good to know the option was there)

[DoubleChevron]

There is no way I'd fit a "fixed" type brake controller like the old hayman reeces (there new ones over the 5+years are all proportional aren't they ?). I fitted a Tekonsha IQ. Cheap and they are a proportional controller. If you hit the anchors in an emergency, they'll throw the trailers anchors on 100%. WIth the old timer based ones you will have to wait for them to ramp up (what a ****house idea). Then as you gently slow for traffic lights in towns, you'll have the wheels locking on the trailer.

At speed on the highways, I punch the button on top and put it on "boost 1" setting. This aggressively ramps up the braking much more quickly. SO if there is an emergency stop at 90km/h ... it'll ramp straight upto 100% braking capacity. In traffic the "boost" settting can cause lockup on loose surfaces so I turn it off.

http://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-90160-Primus-Electronic-Control/product-reviews/B001P11SCM

The only thing I'd look for in any controller I'm using is that it is proportional. Using a timer to ramps up braking it just ludicrous. You will only ever have brakes when you don't need them :wasntme: I'd have loved to have bought one of the aussie made red arc tow pro controllers. They were nearly triple the price though :(

seeya,
Shane L.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I've been using Tekonsha (proportional ones) for years and am very happy. My RRc has the Tekonsha Prodigy and the D4 the Tekonsha P3, I can transfer them from one vehicle to another so long as each has the cradle.

What I'm less happy with is the difficulty in finding a suitable mounting location. In this respect I'm likely heading to the REDARC Tow Pro for the Defender and Perentie as it only requires the remote dial controller to be fitted through the dash.

[grmas1]

I gather this thread would be as good a place as any to ask. Has anyone fitted a brake controller to a Freelander2? And if so what was found to be the best location for the controller?

[grmas1]

I gather this thread would be as good a place as any to ask. Has anyone fitted a brake controller to a Freelander2? And if so what was found to be the best location for the controller?

Has anyone done this before? I am thinking about locating it down on the Drivers side trim between the floor and centre console.

[LandyAndy]

Hi.
Firstly look for a Redarc Tow Pro,they have a remote head,see the D3/D4 area for pics.Much easier to instal than the old style controlers.
I would also find out if the Freeloader needs special wiring like the D3/D4 do.I would send a PM to Sniegy and ask nicely,he is a LR dealer spannerman.
I had a Prodigy in my D2,the Redarc in my D4 does a much better job towing the same trailer.
Andrew