Curt Trailer Brake Controller Options For a 2018 Toyota Highlander

Question:

I own a Toyota highlander 2018 LE V6, where an installer installed a Curtis Triflex brake controller. This controller from time to time fails to go to sleep and drains the battery. Would you be able to recommend another controller that I could easily install using the already installed wires ? The controller needs not to mess with the Toyota Safety system. The triflex has a couple of switches on the back that allow to work well with the toyota safety systems. If you could recommend a couple of alternatives of reliable controllers that would be great.

asked by: Marco A

Expert Reply:

To keep the harness that is used for the Curt Triflex on your 2018 Toyota Highlander there are a few options.

The Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller # C51170 which is a proportional unit that when installed you only see a control knob that allows you to adjust all of the systems settings, and 10 tri-color LED lights to display settings and diagnostics.

Another option is the Curt Venturer Trailer Brake Controller # C74VV which is a Time-Delayed unit that allows for you to adjust the sensitivity and delay to what feels best for your vehicle and trailer setup.

The last option is the Curt Discovery Trailer Brake Controller # C84VV which is also a Time-Delayed unit.

The key differences between Time-Delayed and Proportional controllers is that time-delayed will always apply the same braking power you set no matter if you slam on your vehicles brakes, or lightly brake where a proportional controller will adapt its braking power to match how hard you applied your vehicles brakes.

Of all of the options I mentioned, I recommend the Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller # C51170 due to its low profile design, and that it will offer the most similar braking to your Triflex while still allowing you a manual over ride which make your trailer brakes function time delayed when needed.