Recommended Brake Controller and Install Procedure for 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Question:

I just purchased a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE, it has the trailer prep package. I am planning to get the Draw-Tite 75684 hitch, The wire harness30159 and the 4 to 7 pole adaptor30717. I have a small pop-up camper 1500 lb. empty weight with electric brakes. Which brake controller should I get and how does that install with the prep package on the vehicle? Would like to keep the cost reasonable.

asked by: Randy

Expert Reply:

You are right on the money with the choice of Hitch and wiring harness.

Your tow package provides a connection point for the wiring harness that provides lighting circuits for the trailer, but there is no included provision for installing a brake controller.

We offer a Brake Controller Installation Kit that I would recommend highly. For a 7-way connector, the part # is ETBC7. The install kit contains everything necessary for installing a brake controller on your Santa Fe. The 4 to 7-way adapter is included in the install kit, as well as all needed hardware and wire.

Although the time-delayed controllers like the Tekonsha Voyager you looked at are a bit less expensive, I would strongly recommend going with a proportional type controller. A time-delayed controller will always send the same set amount of voltage to the trailer brakes (depending on how the controller is adjusted) regardless of the intensity of the braking action of the tow vehicle. A proportional controller has an internal sensor that can determine how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping, and will send enough voltage to the trailer brakes so that the trailer stops at the same rate as the tow vehicle. This leads to braking action that is more predictable and safer, as well as causing less wear and tear on the vehicle and trailer brakes because neither braking system is doing all of the work. The Tekonsha Prodigy 2, part # 90885 is one of our best selling brake controllers, it is simple to use and easy to set up. The Voyager does not self-level, and lacks a digital display which makes troubleshooting brake system problems difficult.

On our website, we have a Brake Controller Installation Guide that you might find helpful, I will provide a link to the guide below as well as links to the products I have recommended above.

We also have a video that shows a brake controller installation using the install kit I recommended above. The video shows the install on a 2014 Santa Fe, but the procedure for your 2010 model would be identical. I will link you to that as well.

expert reply by: Mike L