Prodigy RF Brake Controller and Weight Distribution for 2008 Mercedes GL320 and 2016 Honda Pilot

Question

Question:

I just purchased a 2008 Mercedes GL to tow a Jayco 19H travel trailer 4200 pounds loaded with tongue weight of 400 pounds. Will the Tekonsha Prodigy RF wireless brake controller work? The car has the factory tow package with hitch receiver and 7prong plug. Would you rec a wt distributing hitch for this car trailer combo? I also plan to tow the trailer with my wife 2016 Honda Pilot touring AWD with transmission cooler already installed. Therefore using a wireless brake controller system would be appealing to me. What hitch would you recommend for the Honda Pilot? It is right at the limit in terms of tongue wt and tow capacity and I plan to load lightly when traveling with the Pilot

asked by: Jan P

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Expert Reply:

You can use the Prodigy RF # TK94FR with your 2008 Mercedes GL. And it will work with the 2016 Honda Pilot as well as long as it has a functioning 7-Way trailer connector too.

Weight distribution is a good idea considering the weight of the trailer. The 400 pound tongue weight seems low though. Tongue weight is usually 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. So in this case I would expect it to be 420 to 630 pounds.

Fastway system # FA92-00-0600 covers most of that range. It is rated for 250 to 600 pounds of tongue weight. Keep in mind that even with weight distribution you are still limited to the capacities of the tow vehicles used. Check the trailer hitches for stickers indicating capacity with and without weight distribution or in the owner's manuals if there is nothing on the hitch.

With this system you would just need a properly sized ball such as # A-90 for a 2 inch or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch. I have linked a video review for you.

If your 2016 Honda Pilot does not have a trailer hitch I recommend # e98840. It is rated for weight distribution and will only have the receiver showing. And if it does not have a 7-Way trailer connector one can be added using # 118286.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

There is one brake controller that I think is easily the best option for your 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 with the factory 7-way, which is actually a wireless brake controller from Curt: - Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 There are a…

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 5

Hey Antoine, so the two kits you mentioned are actually really similar and honestly I would go with the part #ETBC7 if I were you. The #ETBC7L is basically the same thing minus a couple wires and breakers so you may as well get the kit that has…

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

Hey Travis, congrats on the new 2024 Jayco Flight 284BHS! Your travel trailer looks to have a GVWR of 7,950 lbs so I recommend going with the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control #EQ37121ET and pairing it with the Shank…

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

I would be happy to help you set up your 2022 Toyota Highlander to haul your new travel trailer. The wiring harness you currently have controls your trailer's lighting functions only. You do not need to rewire your Toyota you just need another…

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Answer 11

Hey Jeremy, Typically with boat trailers the manufacturer will install hydraulic surge brakes because you don't have to worry about the water damaging wires like you would with electric brakes. That being said, if you use a heat shrink butt…

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Answer 12

Hey HPA, I would go with the Air Lift kit part #AL64VJ that fits your 2019 Toyota RAV4 based on what you described and your needs. This gives you adjustable support that you can tailor as needed so that you get the exact amount of support you need…

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