Recommended brake controller

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.