When it comes to towing a trailer, safety should always be a top priority. An electronic brake control system is a crucial component for ensuring your trailer stops smoothly and safely. These systems work by electronically controlling the brakes on the trailer, synchronizing them with the towing vehicle. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right electronic brake control system for your needs. In this article, we will be exploring the best electronic brake controls on the market, their features, and what to consider before making a purchase. Whether you’re towing a small utility trailer or a large RV, having a reliable electronic brake control system can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and stress-free towing experience.
1. Take Control of Your Trailer Brakes: Tekonsha 90195 P3 Brake Control
The P3 brake controller features a clear and readable LCD display with a choice of screen colors, making it easy to use. Its universal fit allows for use with a wide range of vehicles. Up-front controls give you convenient access to all P3 functions. The device also provides user-friendly diagnostics that show output current, battery, brake, and output voltage. A red warning system flashes to notify the user of No Trailer Brake situations. It also lets you choose between Electric over Hydraulic or Electric trailer brake mode. You can display screen information in English, French or Spanish. The Original Boost feature enables you to set different levels of customized braking. Additionally, the compact and dash-hugging design saves space in your vehicle.
Advantages:
• The LCD display is easy to read and comes with multiple screen color options.
• The up-front controls allow for easy access to all P3 features.
• The device provides easy-to-understand diagnostics that show output current, battery, brake, and output voltage.
• It includes a warning system that flashes to alert users of No Trailer Brake situations.
• The user can choose between Electric over Hydraulic or Electric trailer brake mode.
• The screen information can be displayed in English, French or Spanish.
• The Original Boost feature enables different levels of customized braking.
• Its compact and dash-hugging design saves space in your vehicle.
Disadvantages:
• None mentioned.
- A distinct, easy-to-read LCD display with multiple screen color options..Fit Type: Universal Fit
- Up-Front controls provide easy access to all P3 features.
- Easy to understand diagnostics show output current, battery, brake, and output voltage.
- A flashing red warning system alerts user to No Trailer Brake situations.
- Select Electric over Hydraulic or Electric trailer brake mode.
2. Get Smooth and Consistent Braking with Tekonsha’s Primus IQ
Our product uses a Plug-N-Play port that accommodates 2-plug adapters and fits universally. The self-diagnostics feature alerts you with an LED readout when issues arise. However, a T-connector (sold separately) is necessary to connect the product to your vehicle.
This product works proportionally in reverse, making it efficient for different driving situations. It also comes with a snap-in dash mounting clip and hardware for easy installation. The digital LED readout is a user-friendly feature that provides clear information. Additionally, it includes a Boost feature to enhance performance.
Advantages:
• Compatible with a variety of vehicles
• Self-diagnostics feature for easy troubleshooting
• Works proportionally in reverse
• Snap-in dash mounting clip and hardware included
• Digital LED readout for clear information
• Boost feature to enhance performance
Disadvantages:
• Requires a T-connector that is sold separately
- Utilizes Plug-N-Play port for 2-plug adapters.Fit Type: Universal Fit
- Self-diagnostics features will illuminate LED readout when issues occur
- Requires T-connector to connect to vehicle (sold separately)
- Works proportionally in reverse
- Snap-in dash mounting clip and hardware included
3. Smooth Braking Performance with the Tekonsha 9030 Voyager Electronic Brake Control
The Tekonsha Voyager brake controller is an excellent option for automatic braking in any situation, thanks to its internal inertia sensor that adjusts braking intensity based on your tow vehicle’s braking intensity and rate. Additionally, this proportional electric brake controller is easy to install thanks to its snap-in dash mounting clip and removable electrical connector, which can be stored without hassle. The Voyager also features an easy-to-read color LED indicator that shows settings, real-time diagnostics, and alerts, with a red light indicating a power increase to the trailer brakes and a green light indicating a secure connection with the trailer. The manual control lever allows you to manually apply the brakes if necessary, up to the power amount previously set. This versatile electric brake controller is compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including Ford, GM, Chevy, Dodge, RAM, Toyota, Jeep, and more, and supports up to 2, 4, 6, or 8 brakes (1-4 axles). However, it’s worth noting that the Tekonsha Plug & Play brake controller wiring harness is sold separately.
- PROPORTIONAL ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER: Provides automatic braking based on the intensity and rate at which you apply your tow vehicle’s brakes, thanks to an internal inertia sensor. This makes the Tekonsha Voyager brake controller ideal in any braking situation
- EASILY INSTALL THANKS TO PLUG & PLAY: The Voyager trailer brake controller has a snap-in dash mounting clip, Plug & Play port for two plug adapters, and removeable electrical connector so the unit can be easily unplugged, unclipped, and stored
- EASY-TO-READ INDICATOR: Color LED indicator shows settings, real-time diagnostics, and alerts. Red light means power increase to trailer brakes. Green light means secure connection with trailer
- MANUAL BRAKING AVAILABLE: If you ever need to manually apply the brakes, simply move the manual control lever to the left. The Voyager will apply power to your trailer’s brakes up to the amount of power previously set
- VERSATILE: The Voyager electric brake controller is compatible with a wide range of vehicles including Ford, GM, Chevy, Dodge, RAM, Toyota, Jeep, and more with 2, 4, 6, and 8 brakes (1-4 axles). Vehicle-specific Tekonsha Plug & Play brake controller wiring harness sold separately
4. Tekonsha 90250 Prodigy RF Electronic Brake Control: Safe, Reliable, and Convenient
This product offers an ideal solution for trailers that are shared among multiple vehicles and can accommodate up to three axles. It features a hand-held control unit in the tow vehicle and a trailer power module that is mounted on the trailer. The wireless communication between the remote hand unit and trailer-mounted power module allows for seamless operation. Additionally, the product offers proportional braking for both forward and reverse directions without the need for level adjustments. The trailer braking power is supplied via a 7-way connector from the vehicle. This product is also compatible with tow vehicles that have multiplex wiring systems, though it is not vehicle-specific.
Advantages:
• Suitable for any trailer with up to 3 axles
• Allows multiple vehicles to share one trailer
• Wireless communication between hand-held unit and trailer power module
• Proportional braking for both forward and reverse without level adjustments
• Compatible with tow vehicles that have multiplex wiring systems
Disadvantages:
• Not vehicle-specific
- The perfect multiple vehicle-shared trailer solution, suitable for any trailer with up to 3 axles
- Hand Held control unit in the Tow Vehicle, Trailer Power Module on the Trailer
- Wireless communication between the remote hand unit and trailer mounted power module
- Proportional braking, forward and reverse, no level adjustment necessary.Trailer braking power supplied via 7-Way Connector from the vehicle
- Compatible with tow vehicles that have multiplex wiring systems; Product Not Vehicle Specific
5. The Perfect Towing Companion: Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller
The REDARC Tow-Pro has won numerous awards for being the first of its kind to offer two types of braking in one unit. The Tow-Pro Elite electric brake controller uses both proportional and user-controlled mode, and includes Active Calibration for added safety. With its proportional mode inertia sensing, this electric trailer brake controller is ideal for highway commutes and ensures safe, controlled braking when needed. Designed to suit most common trailer braking applications, the REDARC Tow-Pro Electric Brake Controllers are sleek and innovative, requiring minimal dash space and easy to install and operate. In addition to the Tow-Pro Elite, the REDARC Tow-Pro Classic Electric Brake Controller is available, featuring a single user-controlled mode of trailer braking. Adjusting the required force for your towed vehicle is easy with a simple turn of the control knob.
Pros:
• The REDARC Tow-Pro offers both proportional and user-controlled modes for added safety and flexibility.
• Its sleek and innovative design requires minimal dash space and is easy to install and operate.
• The Tow-Pro Elite’s proportional mode inertia sensing ensures safe and controlled braking on the highway.
• The REDARC Tow-Pro Electric Brake Controllers are suitable for most common trailer braking applications.
Cons:
• No significant drawbacks mentioned.
- The award winning REDARC Tow-Pr is the first of its kind to offer two types of braking in the one unit. The Tow-Pro Elite electric brake controller uses both proportional and user-controlled mode, and features Active Calibration.
- With proportional mode inertia sensing for highway commutes, you can ensure your electric trailer brake controller will initiate safe, controlled braking when the time arises.
- The REDARC Tow-Pro Electric Brake Controllers are designed to suit most common trailer braking applications. Our sleek innovative designs also require minimal dash space and are simple to install and operate.
- Additionally, the REDARC Tow-Pro Classic Electric Brake Controller offers a single user-controlled mode of trailer braking. Simply adjust the required force your towed vehicle requires with the turn of a control knob when ever needed.
In conclusion, an electronic brake control system is an essential component for anyone towing a trailer, especially larger trailers or heavy loads. The top products in this category offer a range of features to ensure safe and effective braking, including proportional braking, easy installation, and user-friendly controls. An electronic brake control system can help prevent accidents, reduce wear on your vehicle’s brakes, and increase overall towing safety. Whether you’re a professional driver or a recreational enthusiast, investing in a high-quality electronic brake control system is crucial for your safety and peace of mind. By choosing one of the top products available, you can ensure that you have a reliable and effective system that will provide optimal support and safety during towing. With their durability, functionality, and ease of use, the top electronic brake control systems are an excellent investment for anyone looking to tow a trailer safely and efficiently.
FAQs
What is an electric brake controller?
An electric brake controller is a device that controls the electric brakes on a trailer. It applies the brakes on the trailer when the brakes on the towing vehicle are applied, providing a safe and smooth braking experience while towing.
What are some benefits of using an electric brake controller?
Using an electric brake controller can improve the safety and handling of your vehicle while towing. It provides smoother and more controlled braking, reduces wear on your vehicle’s brakes, and helps prevent accidents caused by trailer sway or uncontrolled braking.
What should you consider when choosing the best electric brake controller?
When choosing the best electric brake controller, consider factors such as the type of towing vehicle, the size and weight of the trailer, the number of axles on the trailer, and the type of braking system on the trailer. Look for a controller that is easy to install and operate, and that provides smooth and responsive braking.
What are some of the best electric brake controllers on the market?
Some of the best electric brake controllers on the market include the Tekonsha P3 Prodigy, the CURT Spectrum, the Reese Pilot, the Hopkins Insight, and the Draw-Tite I-Command.
How do you properly install and use an electric brake controller?
To properly install and use an electric brake controller, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Mount the controller in a location that is easy to reach and operate while driving. Connect the controller to the towing vehicle’s brake system and the trailer’s electric brakes. Test the controller and adjust the braking force as needed to ensure smooth and responsive braking.