Brake Controller Recommendation for a 2016 Ram 1500 that Will not Be Mounted On Lower Dash

Question:

greetings. ijust got a 2016 ram 1500 w/o integrated brake controller. was considering adding OEM but decided to lease instead of buy at last minute, so im noy shelling out that $$. since its a lease my main concern is mounting. old truck used basic time delay controller and that worked fine. plus I could just leave it next to me on seat next to me. so thats an option again. I noticed the tekonsha rf remote and thats intriguing but also prob. not worth it as I tow so infrequently. so Im leaning towards a lower end proportional controller with a sleeve mount like hayes or at least a bracket I can tape on instead of bolt. I tow a 6-7k work trailer 6-8 times a year, less than 25 miles. two questions...1. any recommendation. 2. any experience removing and cleaning up a VHB taped on sleeve and how easy/hard that may be? Since I dont like the idea of a potential shin banger always in the way Im 65 when I rarely tow...I guess maybe Im actually better of staying with a time delay now that I think about it!

asked by: Dean S

Expert Reply:

I have a great solution for you. For your 2016 Ram 1500 I would recommend the Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional # C51180. This brake controller requires no additional wiring and utilizes your mobile device for setting adjustment. It is also transferable to another vehicle once your lease is up.

This gives you the benefit of a better proportional brake system but without the knee knocker or difficult installation.

expert reply by: Jameson C

William

4/19/2020

What happens when you are out where you have no receptionI go to a lot of places and there is no phone receptionThanks

Chris R.

4/20/2020

That's a good question. The good news is that when you lose Bluetooth connection with the Echo, it will continue to operate normally as a proportional brake controller - automatically sending power back to the trailer brakes in correspondence with your deceleration. It'll just use your most previously saved settings. The downside here is that you won't be able to actually adjust settings or activate the manual override until you establish connection again.