Trailer brake controller questions

[jackelope]

I need a trailer brake controller on my expedition but I’m not planning on keeping it for very long. Just was doing some Amazon shopping and saw this thing that works off of your smart phone. This seems like a good way to go and if my new truck doesn’t have one, I can just use it on that one when the time comes. Really don’t feel like spending a bunch of money on wiring and installing and bashing my knee on the stupid thing every time I get in and out of a vehicle that I plan on owning for less than a year more. Anyone have any insight into these things?



For the sake of conversation I don’t plan on towing any huge trailers. Maybe 5k pounds tops.

https://www.curtmfg.com/dm/echo-mobile-brake-controller

[Special T]

Most newer vehicles have a way to plug in a contoler under the dash then clip into an existin harness in the rear.  I have had a lot of controlers and i like the Prodegy line. I would look into that.

I got an inexpensive backup camera for the wifes minivan that was blue tooth and it only would work if your mounted it high enough i. the rear door so that it was line of sight for the phone. I have been able to get the wiring harnesses and controlers from Six Roblees in Seattle.

Hope that helps

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[ghosthunter]

Most newer vehicles have a way to plug in a contoler under the dash then clip into an existin harness in the rear.  I have had a lot of controlers and i like the Prodegy line. I would look into that.

I got an inexpensive backup camera for the wifes minivan that was blue tooth and it only would work if your mounted it high enough i. the rear door so that it was line of sight for the phone. I have been able to get the wiring harnesses and controlers from Six Roblees in Seattle.

Hope that helps

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

yep I bought this one because it was plug and play for my rig. Have not installed it yet.


https://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-8508211-Proportional-Brake-EVN/dp/B01M59QRWK/ref=asc_df_B01M59QRWK/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207577610253&psc=1

[jackelope]

Most newer vehicles have a way to plug in a contoler under the dash then clip into an existin harness in the rear.  I have had a lot of controlers and i like the Prodegy line. I would look into that.

I got an inexpensive backup camera for the wifes minivan that was blue tooth and it only would work if your mounted it high enough i. the rear door so that it was line of sight for the phone. I have been able to get the wiring harnesses and controlers from Six Roblees in Seattle.

Hope that helps

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

My expedition is pretty old and not pre-wired near as I can tell.

[KFhunter]

I think 4500lbs is the cutoff for brakes, so you're right there.

Dunno what your next vehicle is going to be, will it have internal brakes built in?


I think I'd lean towards a $90 drawtite and leave it in the vehicle when you sell.  Install it on the passenger side lol

[Special T]

If that is the case you can get a combo 4 pin brake plug in so all you would really need to wire up is the controller an a couple of lines for the brake power nuetral  and a charge wire. I bet the prodigy web site has setup info... plus i bet you acess to a lift so you dont have to flat back it...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[KFhunter]

I'd reccomend prodigy too, but the vehicle is short lived and new one will probably have a built in controller, that and the trailer is barely even required to have brakes.

I'd cheap out .2c

[Buckmark]

Most newer vehicles have a way to plug in a contoler under the dash then clip into an existin harness in the rear.  I have had a lot of controlers and i like the Prodegy line. I would look into that.

I got an inexpensive backup camera for the wifes minivan that was blue tooth and it only would work if your mounted it high enough i. the rear door so that it was line of sight for the phone. I have been able to get the wiring harnesses and controlers from Six Roblees in Seattle.

Hope that helps

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

My expedition is pretty old and not pre-wired near as I can tell.

How old? It should be prewired with a simple plug in under the dash
My 02 superduty and my 01 Exp where all pre wired, took longer to drink a beer than install the controllers 

[RockChuck]

Most newer vehicles have a way to plug in a contoler under the dash then clip into an existin harness in the rear.  I have had a lot of controlers and i like the Prodegy line. I would look into that.

I got an inexpensive backup camera for the wifes minivan that was blue tooth and it only would work if your mounted it high enough i. the rear door so that it was line of sight for the phone. I have been able to get the wiring harnesses and controlers from Six Roblees in Seattle.

Hope that helps

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

My expedition is pretty old and not pre-wired near as I can tell.

How old? It should be prewired with a simple plug in under the dash
My 02 superduty and my 01 Exp where all pre wired, took longer to drink a beer than install the controllers 

Same here my 94 Ford has a pre wired plug for it and I think my 88 did as well. Just Under the dash in the center they have been easily accessible

[jackelope]

It’s a 2006

Maybe I’ll take a better look. Thanks.

[dwils233]

I've got one of those curt echos and highly recommend it for a trailer brake if you want/need to skip the trailer brake wiring. I've got 2 vehicles with a 7-pin that don't have the  brake control wired below the dash and I just plug that thing in and I'm set. I only run it on about 4k lbs towing but it works like a charm. I don't think I'll ever hardwire a brake control again if I don't have to.

If you use a smart phone sash mount and leave the app up you can see the braking being applied and can hit the emergency brake if you need it. Even if your phone dies it'll retain the last brake setting you plugged in and you can adjust braking sensitivity from the app. Pretty slick little unit

[dwils233]

Also thieves know exactly what those things are and what their worth...keep it in the glovebox or out if sight when not in use FYI

[Magnum_Willys]

Those look slick - especially for a Uhaul rental.  Uhaul tells you they dont have electric brake connectors - but on many its just under the ash tray on top of the dash (shhhh) .  Will be getting one of these next time I rent something to tow an electric braked trailer. 

[wadu1]

My 1980 F250 came prewired. Just had to hook up the power lead under the hood it was stowed on the firewall. Put in an ultra thin controller under the dash and hooked it up to the preinstalled wiring. The wiring for the trailer was in the L/H rear W/W, purchased a Ford wire kit to finish the job. It was easy peasy.