Part Numbers: TK90160,3070-P
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This proportional brake controller has simple controls and a digital display for diagnostic information. Includes 3 boost levels, a slide-bar manual override, built-in battery protection, automatic leveling, and continuous diagnostics.
Features:
Specs:
You can adjust the gain (also known as output) with the thumbwheel on the front of the controller. Gain lets you set the maximum amount of power that will be applied to your trailer's brakes. A heavier trailer will need more power to achieve smooth, safe braking, while a lighter trailer will need less. Typically, the gain is only readjusted when you experience changing road conditions or if the weight of your trailer changes.
The boost setting controls the aggressiveness of your trailer's braking, meaning how quickly the brakes reach the maximum braking level. You can adjust this when you're towing heavy loads and you need more umph to bring your trailer to a stop. Your tow vehicle doesn't need that much power to brake in time, but your heavy trailer does.
Depending on the level of boost, your trailer brakes can start at either 13 percent or 25 percent of the set gain. What this means is that, instead of starting at 0, the brakes will start at 25 percent and get to 100 percent sooner. This keeps the trailer from pushing your tow vehicle forward.
If your trailer weighs less than your tow vehicle, no boost is needed. But, if you want your trailer to lead the braking, you can select level B1.
Boost Levels:
| Approximate Gross Trailer Weight | Boost Level | Increase in Initial Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| Less than tow vehicle GVW | B1 | 13% |
| Equal to tow vehicle GVW | B1 or B2 | 13% or 25% |
| Up to 25% more than tow vehicle GVW | B2 or B3* | 25% |
| Up to 40% more than tow vehicle GVW | B3* | 25% |
*Both B2 and B3 offer a 25-percent boost in initial power. But the braking curve for B3 is more aggressive than that of B2. This means that, even though you will start out with the same intensity when using these boost levels, you will get an overall more aggressive braking experience with the higher level. So if you use B3, you will reach maximum braking sooner than if you use B2.
To adjust the boost, use the blue push-button on the top of the Primus IQ.
The Tekonsha Primus IQ comes with an easy-to-reach, slide-bar manual override, great for stopping sway or controlling your trailer's momentum in emergencies. To engage the manual override, just push the slide-bar to the left, towards the center of the controller. This will activate the trailer's brakes and brake lights without you having to apply the brakes on your tow vehicle, perfect for limiting trailer movement while you're cruising.
The Primus IQ can mount between -90 degrees and 90 degrees vertically, but the brake controller still needs to be horizontally level and parallel with the direction of travel.
After mounting the Primus IQ unit in your cab using the included bracket, hardwire one end of the included pigtail harness directly into your vehicle. The other end plugs into the brake controller. To remove the IQ for storage when you're not using it, just unplug the unit and slide it out of the bracket. With a replacement wiring harness (sold separately) and replacement bracket (6927 - sold separately), you can even transfer the IQ to another vehicle.
See etrailer.com's exclusive 7- and 4-way brake-control installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately) if you don't already have a 7-way plug at the back of your vehicle
Note: If a custom brake control wiring adapter is not available for your vehicle, one of the following will be required:
The Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller comes equipped with proportional braking to give you the best towing experience. Proportional braking means that your trailer brakes mimic your tow vehicle's brakes. If you slam on the brakes in your vehicle, your trailer brakes will activate with the same intensity; if you brake lightly, your trailer brakes lightly too. The trailer's braking is in proportion to your vehicle's braking. This saves wear and tear on the tires and the brakes on both your vehicle and trailer.
The Primus IQ uses an internal inertia sensor to detect how your vehicle is braking so it can send the right amount of braking power to your trailer. It measures the inertia of your tow vehicle and activates the trailer's brakes to slow at the same rate. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time.
California residents: click here
Install your electric brake controller quickly and easily with this custom wiring adapter. Simply plug one end of the adapter into your brake controller and then plug the other end into the built-in harness beneath your vehicle's dash.
Features:
This adapter plugs into the 4-pin connector on your vehicle's built-in brake control wiring harness. The harness is located underneath the dash, to the left of the steering column, taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal.
To install your electric brake controller you need to connect the wiring of the controller to your vehicle. Certain manufacturers offer pre-wired options, typically known as tow packages, wherein these wires are run for you from the dash to the trailer connector on the back of your vehicle. Often, a brake controller wiring harness is included with your tow package. This harness plugs into a port beneath your dash and connects to the four wires of the brake controller. If, however, you have a brake controller with a plug in place of the four loose wires, you can use the Tekonsha adapter.
This adapter requires no hardwiring. It is designed to plug directly into your electric brake controller for the simplest installation possible. Because there are no wires to connect, installation is not permanent. You can unplug and remove your brake controller at any time and securely stow it away.
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (2481 Customer Reviews)
This proportional brake controller has simple controls and a digital display for diagnostic information. Includes 3 boost levels, a slide-bar manual override, built-in battery protection, automatic leveling, and continuous diagnostics. Install your electric brake controller quickly and easily with this custom wiring adapter. Simply plug one end of the adapter into your brake controller and then plug the other end into the built-in harness beneath your vehicle's dash.Perfect length and fit in my 2022 Honda Ridgeline. I carefully cut a hole at the back of the pocket just above the transmission controls, and with one end plugged into the truck, the other end was just long enough to plug into the controller before mounting it. I appreciate the nylon loom over the wires x a little extra protection when dragging the wires over metal brackets.
I have a 2012 Honda Pilot Touring. I needed to add an electric brake controller for my pop-up trailer. Based on the etrailer recommendation, I bought this wiring adapter and just hoped that it would work. Worked like a champ. It took me a moment or two to figure out where to plug it in on the Pilot, but once I did, it was trivial to make the connection.
THANKS for the Brake Controller unit from ETrailer. It arrived w/in 5 days from your MO location to my So CAL residence.
Even as an Engineer/Scientist from the Delta IV rocket program and no experience with brake controllers, I was able to install this unit by myself. Your continued (live human) support and online video clips proved to be the key elements to this installation...without my symbolic pocket protector.
I have attached a few images of the unit, mounted to the fuse-panel cover (3/16 attachments with locking hex nuts) in a 2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5 (with factory tow package). The placement of the unit onto the panel cover allows a new panel cover (no holes drilled) to be used when it is time to sell the vehicle.
eTrailer customer service agent (Bailey) is very knowledgeable and been a tremendous help in ordering the correct brake controller!
Charles
3/11/2024
After 1 year and over 13,000 miles??? Excellent!!!
I have installed the Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Controller with the ETBC7 Brake Controller wiring kit on my 1990 Chevy Blazer Scottsdale. Everything that I needed was included and the installation instructions were simple. We will be trying it out for the first time in early November when we are going to rent a small travel trailer. If we like the experience we may buy a travel trailer to go with our brake controller! Before and after pictures attached. Thanks for the quick service and support.
Pictures of the install. Approximately a 20 min job. First picture my finger is pointing to the factory plug with the etrailer supplied harness plugged in. Note the harness did not specify that the white common with the ring terminal should be connected to ground. But then again that SHOULD be obvious. I will be towing this weekend so I will rate the product then. One minor gripe is that there is always power to the unit which is a battery drain (as evidenced with the key out of the ignition and the unit stayed on) Not sure as to the impact but the controller can always be unplugged or removed.
Sorry for the dirty floor mats in the photos.
Product was delivered on time. Installation vehicle was a 2012 Ford Expedition Limited with factory tow package and was a breeze. I purchased the pre-wired pigtail which fit the Ford connector with no problem. I used the snap-in plastic bracket, mounted on the knee panel as close as possible to the center console. I held the bracket in place using painters tape to check the mounting position before driving in the self tapping screws. Start to finish was less than 10 minutes. I pull a 29' tandem axel travel trailer which comes in around 7,000 lbs and so far, stopping has been smooth and even with no jerking.
We found this product through a search for info on how to install a brake controller on our 2017 Honda Ridgeline. We had a Draw-Tite Activator IV Controller but struggled to hook it up until we watched your online video and discovered the existence of this Tekonsha adapter (3070-P) which was literally plug and play. We chose to install our controller in the same location as in the video but did not want to cut a hole in the panel. The wires tucked easily out of the way without cutting the hole. We towed yesterday and the trailer brakes/controller worked perfectly. Never could have done this without your video and this adapter. The picture shows our controller installed. You can’t really see the adapter since much of it is tucked under the dash.
Peggy C.
10/14/2020
One year later we are still towing with a perfectly working brake controller thanks to this plug and play adapter! No issues!
We have a Honda Ridgeline and this part plugged into the factory plug that was under the dash by the emergency brake petal switch. It was difficult to get to, but success was achieved. This was needed for our camper trailer. This made it easy, no hard wiring, just ordered the part for the Ridgeline and then plug and go. The brake controller plugged into the other end and now I am a happy camper. It worked, I blew a fuse while installing, must have touched something? No problem though, replaced it and was all was good.
Jim A.
6/8/2016
After one year, it is nice to not even think about it. I love products that work correctly. Gives one peace of mind. This is a great product. . thanks etrailer and Tekonsha for being wonderful companies. . . jim
I gave this a 4 star just because I haven't been able to hook up the trailer yet. The Primus IQ brake controller light is on so I'm assuming it will be fine. The harness arrived in good time.
I was able to hook it up in my 2017 Honda Ridgeline in about 20 minutes. The longest part was finding the connection! It was above and left of the parking brake. A headlamp really helped. It's very tight in there so I could use only one hand and did a lot of it by feel. In the picture you need to follow the red wire to the connection.
The brake controller I mounted on the plastic in front of my right knee.
Holo
11/30/2017
Update - Everything worked fine. We went on several trips with our trailer and no problems at all.
installed on a 2009 F-150 everything was as advertised. It was plug and play. My truck had the wire plug behind the dash so was easy to hook up. I installed it in the hole below the coin holder. To reach the pre-wired plug you have to remove the panel anyway. I don't like any wires showing or anything I might hit with my leg. So did not mount it on the lower dash. You have to pull the plastic box out to unplug the connector. So just cut off the back of the box off and run the connector through the hole and connect to the controller. This way you can remove the controller anytime you want. Also you can see the readout much easier then mounting it on the lower dash. See pics
I've been running the Tekonsha Primus IQ for just over a year now. Very pleased w/ it.
Simple set up & operation. I tow a variety of trailers w/ my '07 2500 HD including dump trailer w/ firewood, car hauler, and enclosed cargo trailer. The weights are anywhere from empty, to 5k. Very easy to adjust as conditions change. I borrowed a trailer from a family member and the controller picked up a short. Come to find out a wire was pinched from ramps being slid in on the underside. The digital screen notified me before loading it up and hitting the road. I would recommend this product.
This is a great controller, recommended by my trailer manufacturer. I actually don't know too much about it, how it works, etc. But it doesn't require much knowledge to use it. Install it like instructed by etrailer it just works. You can see the number goes up as you apply more pressure on the brake pedal, and the trailer stops with no problem. It's magic.
The only thing I wished they do is to supply a longer length of the thin wire to connect to the break line. For my 2013 CRV, the break line you need to tap into is on the left side of the steering column, if you want to install the break controller on the right side, the wire is a little so short; but you can make it, it's just a little tight. I want to install the break controller to the right side of the steering column because I don't want to accidentally bump into it every time I get in and out of the car. It's a great, the best product though.
Works like a dream on my single axle 3200 lb travel trailer and my 2017 Toyota Tacoma. Like many of the other Tacoma owner reviewers, I mounted my Tekonsha Primus IQ controller in the small cubby to the left of the steering wheel and ran a couple screws up through the lower switch access to mount the bracket hidden inside the dash. Ended up looking like a factory install, exposing just enough of the unit to access the controls and read the display.
Installed in my 2014 GMC Acadia in about 30 minutes. Used the GMC plug-in wiring adapter. No problems. Looks like it was made for that location.
Installed quickly an easily into my 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD by wiring up to the factory harness. Be sure to watch the etrailer.com video to see which wires need connected at the fuse box in the engine compartment! (Easy hook-ups, just need to make sure you see which ones get hooked up and where.)
And if you don't use your ash tray, these brake controllers squeeze nicely into the ash tray compartment/recess in the lower part of the dash. Makes a great place to keep most of the controller out of the way and it's easy to install (you will have to create 2x new holes in the plastic detachable controller mounting bracket but its very easy - you can see the mounting screws in the 'new' holes and the old holes go unused as shown in the photo).
Only had a trailer hooked up once, but the controller functioned as designed. I think the 'Boost' function will come in handy if I use a well-loaded trailer and need some additional stopping power from the trailer.
Shipping was great. Stared at it for a couple of days before unpacking. The trailer connector mounting was easy with the holes almost matching the existing holes on my 2013 Toyota Highlander. The first four wires are a snap, they are just plugged into the existing four pin connector. I routed the two wire cable towards the front using ty wraps and improvised L brackets fixed to existing chassis screws.
I mounted the Circuit Breakers on the inside of the left fender making sure there was hood clearance (see photo). Then I hit a snag. There was no easy way to get the brake and 12V power wire to the brake controller inside the car. For grins, I goggled "brake controller video" for my car and came up with a video made by "eTrailer." (Thank you eTrailer) Three things from the video helped me: wire access from inside the car through the firewall, a place to mount the controller and how to locate the brake wire. After the installation I had 18" of two wire cable left over. The install took me about six hours. (I'm 71 and I took my time.)
A couple days later I connected the trailer for a test ride. The brake controller worked like a dream.
Things I liked: Retaining the four wire trailer plug setup next to the seven wire trailer plug. Controller display works but you don't have to look at it. The two wire cable was adequate for the job. Being an Engineer (retired) I worry about things like that.
Thing I didn't like: The mounting plate for the trailer plug is a little weak. A stiffer plate would have been better suited for me. and, oh yeh, somebody else to install it. ;=)
Hello, as requested I have attached some pics of the brake controller after installation on my 2017 Honda Ridgeline.
I have a lease vehicle so I did not want to drill any holes in the vehicle to mount or run wires. So what I did was install the mount bracket upside down and place a strong commercial velcro patch to the brake controller mount and to the tray area that it is sitting on. Then I slipped the wire harness between the crack in the IP and the lower console and tucked it up behind the dash so it could not be seen. The velcro holds the brake controller quite secure. This way I can remove the controller and reuse in my next vehicle without leaving any permanent marks or holes to this one.
Anyway , just thought I would share…
As far as the controller. I am very happy with its operation and functions.
Took me about 10 minutes to install on my 2000 Chevy Silverado. Plug and play.
Just bought a Prodigy 3 and on my first trip with our light weight T@B clamshell with electric brakes pulled with a 2016 Honda Pilot...very satisfied.
I installed a factory hitch and harness and the cable etrailor provided snapped right in. The trailer is under 2,000 lbs so I opted to bet the boost to zero. So far so good. The only issue is it seems to apply the brakes more firmly when going over rough pavement, otherwise the braking action is very smooth.
I didn't want to mount the controller bracket permanently so I bent an angle plate into a U shape and pop riveted it so it would hang in the lower trim panel.
Purchased this brake controller and the corresponding wiring harness and installed in my 2017 Ridgeline. Installation was easy. Factory plug is behind dash right above the parking brake. A little tight to get your hand in, but not too bad. I did not cut thru the plastic panel behind the controller like some installs. Cable is long enough and can be ran in the crack between the two plastic panels (See picture). Install turned out good and controller is easy to setup. Very happy with purchase.
IT WORKED PERFECTLY. This is my first time to purchase, install, and use a brake controller. Add to top it off, it was my first time to pull a trailer. It was on a Saturday, exactly six days before a scheduled tent-camping trip, when my wife found a good deal on a used pop up camper. The camper was equipped with electric brakes, so it was required to install a brake controller on my SUV. It was Sunday (next day) when I ordered the Tekonsha TK90160, along with the other necessary part numbers #118449, #A0500, #18136, #ETBC7. I was planning to take the parts to a shop to have it installed as soon as I received them. I was hoping I can get them on Tuesday, but UPS dropped it off to the local post office, which caused it to be delivered at 3pm on Wednesday afternoon. The shops that I went to either did not have an installer available, or were all booked for the week. I had to "take courage" and install it myself. I am so thankful that etrailer.com provides extensive videos of reviews, installation, and operation of the products that they sell. I made the connections as shown and hoped for the best. I picked up the camper on Thursday, and was sooo relieved that it worked perfectly. We took off on Friday and the camping trip was a success. We are looking forward to making more good memories with our camper. Thank you etrailer!
Installation was straightforward with help from the online videos. I also installed the ETBC7 universal installation kit. At first I thought etrailer had shorted some parts, but it turns out that the 18140 bracket is sold separately. Had to take back the choice words I uttered under breath. Ended up mounting the provided bracket directly to the hitch with screws which was a little more difficult. As a safety measure--and a little on the overboard side--I also used a dremel to cut a small slit in the center of the provided bracket so I could attach a hose clamp similar to the one in 18140.
Space inside the cab for mounting the brake controller was tight.
Nonetheless, all works fine per my test meter. Don't yet have a trailer to connect, but meter checks out fine.
2011 f150 3.5EB XLT superCrew. Easy plug and play install with the harness I bought also on etrailer, the problem was mounting. I hated the way the supplied mounts looked and didn’t want to bump into it. With some careful measuring and a hacksaw I was able to mount it inside the “plastic cup thingy” that fills the void where the factory controller would be. Attached pictures, the factory plastic cup thingy screws keep it locked in place and the supplies screws let’s you mount the controller into the plastic cup. Looks crooked with the white/silver plastic covering but it is aligned with direction of travel and level, also berey snug and mounted solidly.
Why splice the 2 harness ends from your tow vehicle to the brake controller….use the correct adapter cable…much simpler!
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Jacques
4/11/2023
Perfect. I tow a heavy trailer only a few times a year, and every time I do, the controller works as I expect. The controls are simple enough that I do not have to review instructions to bump the power up or down to match the trailer weight.