When it comes to towing a trailer, having a reliable electric brake controller is crucial for your safety and the safety of those around you. A brake controller is responsible for sending signals to the trailer’s electric brakes, which helps to slow down and stop the trailer when you apply the brakes in your vehicle. With so many options available on the market, it can be challenging to find the best electric brake controller for your needs. Factors such as compatibility, ease of installation, and braking power are essential when considering which controller to purchase. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the top electric brake controllers and what makes them stand out. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or a new trailer owner, this guide will help you find the perfect electric brake controller for your towing needs.
1. Customizable and Easy to Use: Tekonsha Silver Electronic Brake Control
The P3 brake controller features an easily readable LCD display with various color options, making it stand out. Its universal fit allows it to be used with a wide range of vehicles. The up-front controls provide simple access to all features of the P3, including easy-to-understand diagnostics that display output current, battery life, brake function, and output voltage. A flashing red warning system alerts users to any situations where there is no trailer brake. Users can select between electric over hydraulic or electric trailer brake mode, and the screen information can be displayed in English, French, or Spanish. The Original Boost feature enables custom braking at different levels. Additionally, the P3’s compact design hugs the dashboard, allowing it to take up less space.
Pros:
• The LCD display is easy to read and offers multiple color options.
• The P3 is a universal fit, making it compatible with a wide range of vehicles.
• The up-front controls provide easy access to all of its features, including simple diagnostics.
• The warning system alerts users to any situations where there is no trailer brake.
• Users can choose between electric over hydraulic or electric trailer brake mode.
• The Original Boost feature allows for custom braking at different levels.
• The compact design takes up less space.
Cons:
• No obvious drawbacks were 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. Tekonsha’s Primus IQ: The Easy-to-Install Brake Controller for Your Trailer
This product utilizes a Plug-N-Play port for 2-plug adapters and has a Universal Fit, making it easy to use. It also has self-diagnostics features that will illuminate an LED readout when issues occur, allowing for easy troubleshooting.
To connect to a vehicle, a T-connector (sold separately) is required. This product also works proportionally in reverse, ensuring that the vehicle and trailer are moving together in harmony. It comes with a snap-in dash mounting clip and hardware, making it easy to install.
The product features a digital LED readout, allowing for easy monitoring of important information. It also includes a Boost feature, providing additional power when needed. The finish is a sleek Gray Plastic, adding a modern touch to your vehicle.
Advantages:
• Utilizes a Plug-N-Play port for easy use
• Self-diagnostics features for easy troubleshooting
• Works proportionally in reverse for smooth movement
• Comes with a snap-in dash mounting clip and hardware for easy installation
• Digital LED readout for easy monitoring of important information
• Boost feature for additional power
Disadvantages:
• Requires a T-connector (sold separately) to connect to a vehicle
• None mentioned about any additional features or functionalities compared to other similar products in the market.
- 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. Easy to Install and Use: The Tekonsha 9030 Voyager Electronic Brake Control
The Tekonsha Voyager brake controller is a proportional electric brake controller that automatically applies the brakes on your trailer based on the intensity and rate of your tow vehicle’s brakes. With its internal inertia sensor, it is ideal for any braking situation, providing smooth and safe braking every time.
One of the Voyager’s notable features is its ease of installation. It comes with a snap-in dash mounting clip, a Plug & Play port for two plug adapters, and a removable electrical connector that makes it easy to install or remove the unit from your vehicle.
Additionally, the Voyager electric brake controller has an easy-to-read color LED indicator that shows settings, real-time diagnostics, and alerts. The red light indicates an increase in power to the trailer brakes, while the green light signals a secure connection with the trailer.
If you need to manually apply the brakes, the Voyager has a manual control lever that you can move to the left to apply power to your trailer’s brakes up to the amount of power previously set.
The Tekonsha Voyager electric brake controller is versatile, 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). However, it’s worth noting that the vehicle-specific Tekonsha Plug & Play brake controller wiring harness is sold separately.
Pros:
• Automatic braking based on intensity and rate of tow vehicle’s brakes
• Easy installation with snap-in dash mounting clip and Plug & Play port
• Easy-to-read color LED indicator
• Manual braking available
• Versatile and compatible with a wide range of vehicles
Cons:
• The vehicle-specific 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: The Ultimate Towing Companion
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. Make Towing Safer and Easier with the 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 electric brake controller is a vital component for anyone who regularly tows a trailer or caravan. It helps to control the braking force of the trailer or caravan, improving safety and reducing wear and tear on the towing vehicle’s brakes. With various models available, it’s crucial to consider individual needs when selecting an electric brake controller. Factors such as the type of vehicle, trailer weight, and towing frequency should all be taken into account. The controllers listed in this article are all top-quality products that provide excellent control, accuracy, and ease of use. They offer various features such as proportional or time-based braking, LED displays, and manual override, ensuring that you have complete control over your towing experience. Investing in an electric brake controller is a smart decision for anyone who tows a trailer or caravan regularly. It can improve safety, reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, and make your towing experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.
FAQs
What is an electronic brake control?
An electronic brake control is a device that is installed in a vehicle to control the trailer brakes. It applies the trailer brakes in proportion to the braking force of the towing vehicle, helping to maintain control and prevent jackknifing.
What factors should I consider when choosing the best electronic brake control?
When choosing the best electronic brake control, consider factors such as compatibility with your vehicle and trailer, braking power, ease of use, adjustability, and price.
What are some of the best electronic brake controls on the market?
Some of the best electronic brake controls on the market include the Tekonsha P3, the Curt Echo, and the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite. These brake controls offer a range of features such as proportional braking, Bluetooth connectivity, and easy adjustment.
How do I install an electronic brake control?
Installation of an electronic brake control involves connecting the brake controller to the vehicle’s brake system, mounting the control unit in a convenient location, and connecting it to the trailer brakes. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure that the brake control is properly calibrated and adjusted.
What are the benefits of using an electronic brake control?
Using an electronic brake control can provide several benefits, such as increased safety, improved control when towing, and reduced wear and tear on the towing vehicle’s brakes. It can also help to prevent damage to the trailer and its contents, as well as improve fuel efficiency by reducing drag.