Can The Redarc Brake Controller For My 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Be Manually Adjusted

Question:

Can you manually control your trailers brakes through the brake controller alone?

asked by: Brian M

Expert Reply:

A proportional braking system is designed to send the same amount of braking power you apply in your tow vehicle to your trailer's brakes. If you slam on the brakes of your Silverado, you are also slamming on your trailer's brakes. There is no delay and it is better for emergency stops than a time delayed option. If you want to have more control over your brakes, the manual override is always there. You can activate the manual override on the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller - 2 Braking Modes - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional. part # RED44FR, by pressing the button. The manual override will apply the trailer brake to a level equivalent to ‘light’ vehicle braking, which is sufficient to pull the trailer back into line. This mode is not a traditional brake controller manual override. Please keep in mind, the whole idea behind proportional braking is the instantaneous and equal braking response between your tow vehicle and the trailer. You do have the ability to modulate the braking power that gets sent to your trailer. All you have to do is turn the knob to control the braking power.

I have included a video that takes you through the installation and the benefits of the Redarc brake controller below.

expert reply by: Mark Smith

Brian M.

12/14/2021

Can you manually control your trailers brakes through the brake controller alone?

Mark S.

12/14/2021

If you want manually control your trailer brakes through the brake controller, i.e. something that operates in a more traditional fashion, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional, part # 90195. You will be able to manually control your trailer's brakes with the override lever. Unfortunately, this cannot be done with the Redarc brake controller. This Tekonsha Prodigy P3 will have to be hardwired into your 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 if you do not have a factory tow package. If you do have the factory tow package, you will get the following: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional, part # 90195 Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers, part # 3016. This brake controller installs into a plug in the cab of your truck. I have included product description links and a video installation link below.