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Recommend me a Trailer Brake Controller

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by OnTheFlyTX, Aug 11, 2024.

  1. Aug 11, 2024 at 8:40 PM
    #1
    OnTheFlyTX

    OnTheFlyTX [OP] New Member

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    DFW, TX
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    2014 Tundra Crewmax Ltd. TRD OR
    Looking to set up my 2014 Tundra with a trailer brake controller.
    Does not have any type of integrated controller.

    Will be towing a 5,000-6,000 lb. travel trailer is the plan.

    Let me know what has worked well for you on a 2nd gen or 2.5 gen.
     
  2. Aug 11, 2024 at 9:20 PM
    #2
    WFD473

    WFD473 Long Live The V8

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    Tekonsha Prodigy P3 is the most popular around here. It's what I've used for my 6500 lb travel trailer for several years now and have had zero issues. Highly recommended.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2024
  3. Aug 11, 2024 at 9:25 PM
    #3
    WFD473

    WFD473 Long Live The V8

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    mountainpete and Wallygator like this.
  4. Aug 11, 2024 at 9:28 PM
    #4
    landphil

    landphil Fish are food, not friends!

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    What I’m running as well, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Good, smooth, and predictable braking performance, easy to use.
     
  5. Aug 12, 2024 at 5:11 AM
    #5
    OnTheFlyTX

    OnTheFlyTX [OP] New Member

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    Unanimous so far for the P3. Thanks guys.
    @WFD473 - if you have any photos that would be awesome. I would like to keep things looking as factory as possible and that panel looks like it would do the trick.
     
    WFD473 likes this.
  6. Aug 12, 2024 at 5:45 AM
    #6
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Bilstein 5100's on the forbidden notch Husky HD rear leafs 16x8 Eagle Alloy 187's with 285/75/16 MagnaFlow 3" flow through Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE Mpulse topper - Rhino Vortex rack
    Curious about the Redarc Liberty and/or pro if anyone has one. Ditches the large knee-knocker and has a simple adjustment knob that fits into one of the factory button locations.
     
    Cruiserpilot and Wallygator like this.
  7. Aug 12, 2024 at 6:24 AM
    #7
    JMGmanAZ

    JMGmanAZ New Member

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    Redarc Tow-Pro Elite:

    Install was plug and play. Since the front parking sensors were removed for my bumper install I used that space for the dial.




    I pull a Lance 1685 that's about 5500# loaded and keep the dial on 4:

     
    KNABORES likes this.
  8. Aug 12, 2024 at 6:37 AM
    #8
    WFD473

    WFD473 Long Live The V8

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    Here you go
    20240812_083036.jpg
    20240812_083045.jpg
     
  9. Aug 12, 2024 at 6:48 AM
    #9
    tonyg2011

    tonyg2011 New Member

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    rear view mirror mod, fog light mod, wheel spacers, tint, wired radar, new sound
    Hey,
    I have a 2011 tundra and I didn't want the controller hitting my knee every time I got in and out of my truck. I purchased the CURT spectrum controller about 6 years ago and it has been rock solid. I mounted it on the left side of the dash in an blank switch plate. Pictures are only for reference. Works great and install was relatively easy if you don't mind trimming some plastic pieces with a rotatory tool. upload_2024-8-12_7-48-25.pngupload_2024-8-12_7-48-31.png
     
  10. Aug 12, 2024 at 6:49 AM
    #10
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Bilstein 5100's on the forbidden notch Husky HD rear leafs 16x8 Eagle Alloy 187's with 285/75/16 MagnaFlow 3" flow through Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE Mpulse topper - Rhino Vortex rack
    I'll be pulling a similar trailer, but all highway. Any reason to go pro over the liberty? Seems the pro is geared for off-road use as well.
     
  11. Aug 12, 2024 at 7:04 AM
    #11
    JMGmanAZ

    JMGmanAZ New Member

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    Just that we do occasionally find ourselves on some fire roads with some good inclines and mild trails.


    The Toyota dash plug and wiring harness were separate but well worth the $30 to make the install a breeze:

    Mounting Panel for Redarc Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controller Control Knob Redarc Accessories and Parts 331-TPSI-002 (etrailer.com)

    Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness for Redarc Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controllers Redarc Accessories and Parts RED99FR (etrailer.com)
     
  12. Aug 17, 2024 at 8:49 PM
    #12
    TravisJr

    TravisJr New Member

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    Lots o’ mods
    Redarc for the absolute win. Installed mine today - far cleaner than any of the external control boxes.

    IMG_5510.jpg
     
    JMGmanAZ likes this.
  13. Aug 17, 2024 at 10:35 PM
    #13
    blenton

    blenton New Member

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    Another vote for Tekonsha P3. My experience echos many others and has been great. Excellent braking curve, reliable and consistent braking, and just the right amount of features to be versatile without being cumbersome.

    I’ve looked at the Red Arc controllers and such but decided against them for a simple reason: If I’m in a high pressure situation where I need or manually engage my trailer brakes (one of only two reasons for having a trailer brake controller) I don’t want to be groping around in the dark for a twisty marble-sized knob hidden out of view somewhere on the dash by one of my knees that I have to use fine motor skills to both find and engage. Instead, I want positive, large motor skill engagement with as much as my hand as I can get on the device. Your brain shuts off non-essential, untrained motor skills in a panic situation. Well, more like the adrenaline hyper focuses on the urgent information provided to your eyes and ears. But the point is, fine grain movements are difficult i those situations. The brick wins for me.

    I mounted my P3 below the 4wd knob in the small cubby there. I have a tree shifter and bench seat so it was a convenient place well within reach from most any driving position, and in sight at a quick glance. As a bonus, the passenger can also reach it in the event that I for some reason couldn’t.

    C0C23E19-C068-43C9-BFDB-BCACB2559C21.jpg
     
    WFD473 likes this.
  14. Aug 20, 2024 at 1:16 PM
    #14
    Cruiserpilot

    Cruiserpilot New Member

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    The pro is also for larger trailers up to 3 axles. I went with the Liberty on my 2010. Install was easy, plug and play.
    Look at the website and do research, but they are very good.
     
    JMGmanAZ likes this.

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