How Does a Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller Work When Towing Trailer

Question

Question:

I bought a used 2001 Dodge Dakota which has a Tekonsha Voyager brake controller installed. I am told that it works. What do I do with it, how is it used, are additional parts needed. I intend to pull a utility trailer and a boat at times. Any info. you can supply or guidance would be appreciated.

asked by: Phil C

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Brake controllers are designed to apply the brakes of a trailer in a smooth way that allows the towing vehicle and trailer to stop as efficiently as possible while minimizing wear on the braking components on the trailer and truck.

A proportional brake controller like the Tekonsha Voyager that you referenced is designed to sense the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying via it's inertia sensor and apply the proper amount of braking power on the trailer brakes. For more info on brake controller check out the FAQ article I attached on them.

Getting the braking power you need for your application is simple with the Voyager. First, set up the controller as indicated in the instructions link that I attached, making sure that the internal sensor is properly leveled. Then set the overall power by adjusting the power knob while you test out your rig. The power should be just enough to achieve maximum braking without locking up your trailer brakes.

Once you have the overall power set, you can fine-tune the power output by adjusting the sensitivity of the internal sensor. Use the level knob on the side of the Voyager to achieve your desired degree of intensity. Move the knob toward you (clockwise) to delay the power output, creating braking sensitivity that is ideal for lightweight setups. If you are towing a heavy load, you may want the trailer to brake more aggressively to prevent it from pushing your tow vehicle. To get more intense stopping action, turn the level knob away from you (counterclockwise).

I also attached a review video for this controller for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Answer 1

It sounds like you have everything wired correctly to bench test. To bench test a brake controller you need to connect the black wire from the Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller #39510 to the positive terminal of a 12 volt battery and the…

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Answer 2

The green light of your Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller part #39510 is to show that the brake controller senses a trailer being connected. If you can't get the green light to come on plus your brake output pin on your 7-way is reading full…

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Answer 3

My suspicion is that their might be some unseen damage or corrosion internally in your 7-way connector that is causing a power draw that is fooling the controller into thinking a trailer is connected. You can easily test this by temporarily severing…

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Answer 4

The constant 12V power you are getting on the blue brake output wire from the Tekonsha Voyager #39510 indicates some kind of short with the wiring or on the controller itself. The first thing I recommend doing is testing the controller to see if…

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Answer 5

There may be a chance that your brake controller has malfunctioned and may need to be replaced. To make sure I have attached an article that will explain how to test the brake controller. To check the output voltage at the rear of the control, cut…

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Answer 6

The blue wire coming from the back of your Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller #39510 is for brake output to the 7-Way connector. This wire should only have power with the brake pedal depressed or the manual override activated on the brake controller.…

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Answer 7

It sounds like you lost power to your Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller #39510. The installation instructions say to check for corrosion on the plug contact or loose wiring. Most likely that is the problem, you might find that just wiggling the…

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Answer 8

To choose the correct replacement axle for your 1980 Apache Ramada trailer you'll need to measure the distance between the spring centers and hub faces for your current axle and find one that has the same specs. For a 3.5K axle with brakes we…

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Answer 9

If the light bulb is disconnected from the socket, there should not be any continuity between the running lights (brown wire) and the ground (white wire). It sounds to me as if you may have a shorted or pinched wire somewhere along in the…

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Answer 10

On the Tekonsha Voyager brake controller, part #39510, there are seven levels of brake intensity. You will need to decide how much brake you want applied to your trailer in relation to the amount of brake you are applying in your vehicle. For…

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Answer 11

I do have options for you but there would be no way for me to know what type of light bulbs your trailer lights use. For trailer lights there are generally two types which are bayonet or push-in. Most taillights use a 1156 or 1157 bulb like part…

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Answer 12

The green light indicates that the there is a trailer connection. Then, when you are braking the light will turn from a dim orange, to dark orange, and then to red at full brake power. It could be that the gain on the brake controller is not adjusted…

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How Does a Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller Work When Towing Trailer

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