bing tracking image

Filter Questions and Answers:

reset filter

Expert Answers about Trailer Brake Controller


  • Is a Brake Controller Needed to Activate Electric Trailer Brakes
  • If you need to activate the brakes of a trailer then yes you do need to install a brake controller. There is no other way to activate trailer electric brakes than with a controller. If you were just going to run a power wire and ground to the brake assemblies the brakes would be locked up all the time. The controller allows you the ability to control how much braking is sent to the assemblies so that the trailer can stop in a smooth effective manner. For a brake controller I would recommend...
    view full answer...

  • Comparing Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller To Curt Discovery Trailer Brake Controller.
  • The main difference is the Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller # C24VV is a proportional brake controller while the Curt Discovery Trailer Brake Controller # C84VV is a time delay controller. The proportional controller will automatically adjust power sent to your trailer brakes based on how hard you are braking, while the time delay always sends the same force no matter how soft or hard you are braking. Those with time delay controllers will often have to reach down to crank up the...
    view full answer...

  • What is the Difference Between a Time Delay Brake Controller and a Proportional Brake Controller
  • The Tekonsha PowerTrac brake controller # 39523 is a time delay brake controller. The other type of controller is a proportional controller. A time delay controller is so named because there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output. Unlike a proportional brake controller, which activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your tow vehicle, a time-delayed controller sends...
    view full answer...

  • Brake Controller and Plug In Adapter for a 2004 Chevy Silverado
  • Yes, the Tekonsha PowerTrac Electronic Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Time Delayed item # 39523 will work with your 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500. This brake controller only works with electric brakes. Since your Chevy has the factory tow package you will want to grab the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - GM item # 3015-P. This is a plug-in adapter that allows you to connect a Tekonsha brake controller to your Chevy truck without cutting or splicing wires....
    view full answer...

  • Do Exhaust Brakes On 2005 Dodge Cummins Cause Trailer Brakes To Overheat When Using Brake Controller
  • On your 2005 Dodge Cummins Diesel with exhaust brakes, using the Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller, # 90195, will not cause your trailer brakes to overheat on a long downhill. It will only apply power to the trailer brakes in proportion to the vehicles deceleration. When using the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, # 90885, it will apply power to the trailer brakes only when the vehicles brakes are applied. So the trailer brakes will not be applied until you touch the vehicles...
    view full answer...

  • Recommendation on a Brake Controller to Fit a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4X4
  • For your 2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4, we carry many different models of brake controllers that differ in number of brakes they can operate to various power settings to the type of informational displays are on the unit. However, the 2 main groups brake controllers will fall in are proportional or time-delayed. Time-delayed brake controllers will activate the trailer brakes at preset intensity and rate of application. These setting are set-up by the driver prior to towing. The upside to these...
    view full answer...

  • Difference Between Proportional Brake Controller and Time-Delayed Controller on 2018 Toyota Tundra
  • The difference between a proportional brake controller and a time-delayed brake controller is that a proportional controller is pretty simple. A time-delayed controller like the Curt Discovery # C84VV will apply your trailer brakes each time you press the brake pedal in your 2018 Toyota Tundra; it is called time-delayed because there is a slight delay from the time you press your Tundra's brakes to the time the controller reaches max power output. They are also less expensive. A proportional...
    view full answer...

  • Redarc Tow-Pro Elite vs. Curt Spectrum Brake Controller for 2019 Audi Q5
  • On the surface, there is a lot of similarities between the Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller # C51170 and the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller # RED44FR, but the Redarc is truly the superior option in every way for your 2019 Audi Q5. Since you don't have trailer wiring in your Audi you will need to add ZCI Vehicle Wiring Harness # 119250KIT and Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller # ETBC7, though the Spectrum also needs the Wiring Adapter for Curt Trailer...
    view full answer...

  • What Is The Difference Between Proportional and Time Delayed Trailer Brake Controllers?
  • The Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller # C24VV you are looking at is a proportional controller. This means when you press on the brakes the controller is going to have an inertia sensor which then factors in how quickly the vehicle is stopping and adjusts the amount of power going to the trailer brakes from your original setting. The easiest explanation I can give you is when you lightly press the brakes to slow down this controller will lessen the amount of power sent to the trailer...
    view full answer...

  • Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller VS Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller
  • Both of these are reliable brake controllers. Personally I like the freedom that the Curt Echo # C51180 gives you. You can use it on any vehicle with a properly wired 7-way and trailers with up to 2 braking axles. There is no wiring and it can be controlled from virtually any smart phone. With the Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller # 3430001 it is wired into the trailer and would have to be completely rewired to use on a different trailer. And I really don't want to have to rely on...
    view full answer...

  • Comparing the Tekonsha Prodigy and P2 Trailer Brake Controllers for a 2009 Chevy Silverado
  • Yes, you can use either the original Prodigy or the new and improved P2, # 90885. The main differences between these 2 controllers is the mounting range and the functions. The P2 can be mounted a full 360 degrees in the direction of travel whereas the Prodigy can only be mounted positive or negative 70 degrees from level. The other big difference are the functions. The original Prodigy is only compatible with electric trailer brakes. The P2 is compatible with electric trailer brakes and...
    view full answer...

  • Choosing Between Tekonsha Prodigy P2 or Time-Delayed Brake Controller for 2002 Chevy Silverado
  • I'd choose a proportional controller like the P2 over a time delayed controller, every time. The # 90885 Prodigy P2 is a proportional controller. A proportional controller uses an internal accelerometer that determines how quickly and the tow vehicle is braking. It will then send the proper amount of braking force to the trailer brakes so the vehicle and trailer brake at the same rate for safe, effective and predictable braking. The Reese 80550 Pilot brake controller which we haven't...
    view full answer...

  • Why Time-Delayed Brake Controllers Are Not Recommended For Ram Trucks But Are For Chevrolet Trucks
  • The newer Ram trucks computer systems have issues with a time-delayed brake controller and that is why you will not see it offered in our fit guide as an option for the Ram but is offered as an option for Chevrolet trucks. I recommend a proportional brake controller like the Prodigy P3, part # 90195. A proportional controller applies the brakes with the same intensity that the towing vehicle uses when the brake pedal is pressed. You can adjust the braking power and how aggressive you...
    view full answer...

  • Wiring Adapter Needed to Install Hopkins Brake Controller HM47294 in 2006 Silverado
  • Proportional brake controllers do not automatically activate trailer brakes on downhill grades. The same applies for time-delay types. A proportional brake controller like the excellent Prodigy units, P2 # 90885 and P3 # 90195, will still require you to apply the Silverado's brake pedal to activate it but at that point the controller's internal accelerometer will sense the rate of deceleration in the tow vehicle and send an equivalent signal to the trailer brakes so that the trailer slows...
    view full answer...

  • Comparing Curt Spectrum and Redarc Tow Pro Elite Brake Controllers for 2020 Audi Q5
  • Both the Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller # C51170 and the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller # RED44FR are excellent brake controllers for your 2020 Audi Q5, I recommend the Redarc Tow Pro Elite over the Curt Spectrum. Both controllers can be used as a proportional brake controller, which means they will apply the brakes to your trailer at the same time and intensity you apply the brakes to your Audi, however the Redarc also has a "User Control Mode". This applies the...
    view full answer...

  • Will the Primus and P2 Brake Controllers Work with Standard Electric Brake Systems on a 2011 Tundra
  • The Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, item # 90885, will work with both standard electric trailer brakes, and electric over hydraulic braking systems. I have attached a link to instructions for you to review. The Tekonsha PRIMUS IQ Brake Controller, item # TK90160, is not designed to work with electric over hydraulic braking systems, but will work great with standard electric trailer brakes, see instructions link. The P-3 brake controller is also compatible with both standard electric...
    view full answer...

  • Difference Between Redarc Tow-Pro Elite & Tow-Pro Liberty For 2022 Nissan Frontier
  • The biggest difference between the two Redarc brake controllers is that the Tow-Pro Elite # RED44FR has a proportional control and user controlled mode you can switch between, while the Tow-Pro Liberty # RED24FR has just the proportional mode. The proportional mode is for everyday, normal towing - your trailer brakes will activate at the intensity which you decelerate, and gives them the appropriate power for that deceleration. User controlled mode applies the same amount of braking power...
    view full answer...

  • Manual Adjustability in Auto/Proportional Mode like a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller?
  • One of the advantages the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller # RED44FR has is the control knob. This knob installs in the dash or anywhere in your vehicle that is easy for the driver to access. This knob enables the driver to switch between proportional to user-controlled mode braking easily, just press the knob to activate. This feature will enable the driver to control the braking at your preference. In regards to the question about actual adjustability in Auto/Proportional...
    view full answer...

  • Ford Factory Trailer Brake Controller on 2020 F-150 Compared to Aftermarket Alternative
  • You should definitely make sure the Ford F-150 has the manual adjustment for the factory trailer brake controller. There is normally something on the dash that has the positive and negative buttons and a small slider that is the manual override for emergency trailer braking at a stronger power than the brake pedal and proportional braking will be applied. It is normally to the left or right of the steering wheel so it is within easy reach. You can ask your dealer about it if you are...
    view full answer...

  • What is Difference between Time Delayed and Proportional Brake Controller
  • A time delay controller like the part # 80550 is so named because there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum preset power output. Unlike a proportional brake controller, which activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your tow vehicle, a time-delayed controller sends power out in the same way, with the same gradual delay, no matter the braking situation. Although this delay...
    view full answer...