Troubleshooting When Trailer Brakes Harder Than Tow Vehicle
Question:
I have a Toyota Highlander towing a small ALine trailer. The Curt Echo is installed and seems to be working well. When I am braking to a stop,at about 10 mph, the vehicle or trailer seems to brake harder and kind of clunks to a stop. Adjustments to the Max Braking Force currently 45 or to the Sensitivity currently 3 do not seem to change this. Any suggestions?
asked by: Bob R
Expert Reply:
I called Curt to see if they have encountered this before with other users of the Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller # C51180. This isn't something that they have come across but did suggest you try dropping the max output setting by 5 and/or dropping your sync setting by 1 or 2 as adjustments that could help address your trailer lurch.
If that doesn't alone help, you can then try cleaning both the vehicle and trailer 7-Way connectors as it could just be a bad connection there. If neither of those addresses your issue, your trailer brakes could be set too tight and need to be adjusted.
I hope that helps but if you have further questions from here let me know.
Barbara P.
2/17/2020
We also purchased the Echo last summer August 2019, we tow a Nucamp 2020 T@B 400 Boondock Lite with a Toyota Tacoma. Worked great first few times we used it with approximately 3-4 weeks in-between usage. Then, about a month ago, we pulled the camper with a Ford F150 one day and our Toyota Tacoma the nextabout 150 miles each day. Had lots of problems with the trailer brakes lurching, grabbing, and being extremely sensitive. We adjusted output and sensitivity to lowest levels but that did not solve the problem. Any suggestions?
Richard J.
2/4/2020
I have a similar/identical problem. Bought Echo last summer and used it on 2019 Airstream Bambi. Pull is 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E lots of electronic stuff. It worked great, Then it sat from September. Now, same rig, it slams on the trailer brakes and releases them with a bad lurch. Shows connected. This is also intermittent: it doesnt start until you driven a mile or so. Going to clean connectors and see.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug Mount w/ Bluetooth App - 1 to 2 Axle - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Hidden
- Up to 2 Axles
- Smartphone Display
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Towing a Trailer? Let's Talk About Brake Controllers
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: Curt Echo Full Review
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches
- Q&A: Weight Distribution Recommendation for a 2024 Jayco Flight 284BHS
- Q&A: My Vehicle has a 4-Pin Trailer Plug, but Trailer has 7-Pin Trailer Plug
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Add 7-Way & Brake Controller on 2023 Kia Sportage
- Q&A: Can The Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller Be Used On a Vehicle With Android Auto?
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Curt Echo Brake Controller Not Getting Power/Not Connecting to iPhone
- Q&A: Will Curt Echo Allow Trailer Battery to Be Charged During Travel
Barbara P.
2/19/2020
Suggestions as to what to use to clean the pins? Just a soft dry cloth or a wet cloth or some type of cleaner?