I have been installing controllers over for 30 years. With out one hesitation, Tekonsha is the best controllers on the market. In all these years, I have installed an average of 50-100 controllers a year. I only warrantied maybe 10 Tekonsha controllers. I will install "other" manufacturers controller on request by customer but that is their choice.
Mine just failed :( Brakes can be applied manually but brake pedal wont activated them, already checked power to wite and everything checks good, just bad luck
Great video! I have the P2 prodigy. I love it. I first used it on my 2000 suburban and the pigtail plugged right in to the fuse block area, so easy. Now it's in my 2003 chevy 1500hd. I like the fact that it's acceleration (deceleration) based and not timer based.
I have a brand new, 3900 lb, 2 axle trailer with self-adjusting brakes. I am pretty sure the brakes are properly set up. I have noticed on the other videos that you caution against running the controller at 10. I have a Prodigy controller. When I set it up according to the Prodigy instructions it is set at 9 (out of 12). That is: full power on by using the manual activation lever until wheels lock then back off a bit. In normal use I never see the voltage reading go over maybe 6 at the most. Does the caution against running the controller at 10 not apply to these proportional controllers?
Hi! I would recommend the Tekonsha Primus. If your truck already has the 7 way towing package, the wiring for the brake controller should be in the driver kick panel. I don’t believe it will be plug & play. Most likely it will need to be hard wired in. Hope this helps! Thank you for watching!
Howdy. I tested trailer plug on Yukon. Is this normal? I was connected to a known good trailer rig. I noticed when I turned my Yukon lights on, the RV brakes were getting some power...I could hear them whining, even in Park. I was parked in Park and Parking Brake on. It does the same thing in Drive, Reverse and Neutral. It will read 3.9V to 4.1V on the brake blade even though nothing is calling for brake power. If I step on the Yukon brake firmly, it goes up to 13.xV as it should. All other pins behave normally when they should. There is always about 30 to 50mV on the brake power blade, even with the Yukon lights fully Off and the adjustment knob on the controller all the way to minimum. When I turn on the Yukon Parking or Headlamp switch, AND the manual controller button for brake power is squeezed, and the variable output knob is turned from 0 to Max, the Voltage will climb with these switches being moved and max out at 3.9 to 4.1V. It does this in Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive...exact same behavior. So I can get the power to almost stop on the brakes while driving it with the lights on, but not entirely as it always has 30 to 50 mili-volts on that blade. But then I have to manually squeeze the controller's brake button to get brakes to engage. What the hell is going on, bad Brake Controller or bad wiring job? I've never noticed brakes whining if sitting in Park unless the brake pedal was being pressed with my other vehicles. You ever experience this? Thank you!
I really like your content! I do have a question with my own trailer. I know it will be near impossible for you to comment but it may be something you have pearls of wisdom about. I am pulling a new nuCamp 320 with a 2022 Tacoma. I have installed a Redarc Tow Pro Liberty controller and have also had the unit replaced under warranty once. The problem is when I am coming to a stop. The LED indicators and braking action are normal when braking from highway speeds but as I come to a stop, the trailer brakes pulse on and off several times and yellow LED flashes. (The manual does not give any situation for this kind of event.) The brakes don't lock up, but increase in intensity quite a lot. It seems to happen after I've been driving for awhile and if I brake lightly it seems to not happen. I have already checked the adjustment on the Dexter electric brakes and those seem within normal range. Could this just be that I have the gain set a bit too high? Thanks in advance if you have an idea but understand if you can't comment. If you weren't so far away I'd definitely come in to your shop.
Hi, I have an 07 Silverado Classic 1500 with HD tow package(7-pin plug). I don't do a lot of pulling, but I have had to pull a double-axle a couple of times equipped with brakes. As far as I can tell, everything is pre-wired, just need to plug in to driver kick panel. Do I still need to run anything to fuse box, and what would your recommendation be for a controller?
Gday, I have a p3 control, do I have to check the controller every time I hook up ? With the same trailer? I have been using mine for about 2 yrs( came with car ) last tow my right caravan wheel locked up, short skid, next brake application spun both my backing plate assemblies, broke the square plate welds, was only doing about 35kmh, brake shoe adjustments are fine, can my unit have had a power spike ? If so , what may of caused it ?
I have never used RedArc, personally. However I do see they have great reviews and I’ve had customers give positive feedback on the units. I’m just a die hard Tekonsha fan because I’ve used them for so long and I have the old school “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. I think I’m gonna have to get one and try it just so I can give an honest review.
I'm curious too, I'm a p2 man myself but now I have a vehicle with no good place for a controller which has me checking the redarc, I don't like the lack of adjustable manual activation like the p2 has
Hi there! Great question! Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to that one. I did a little digging on their website and I was able to see that the Envoy is a discontinued product. I was also able to find this info if you wanted to contact Tekonsha directly. This was in a FAQ section on their website: I am an end-consumer with a question or concern about my product, who can I contact? Contact one of our experienced Technical Service Representatives at 1 (800) 632-3290 or email technicalservice@horizonglobal.com. Best of luck!!
I'm looking to replace an old pendulum style controller with a modern proportional controller. I will be towing a 29-foot 5th wheel (dual axle, electric brakes). The P3 looks interesting but I won't be towing anything with electric over hydraulic brakes so that capability isn't needed in my case. Knowing that, is there any other real advantage of the P3 over the Primus? It seems to me that the Primus would work fine in my case, but I'm no expert on brake controllers. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching and leaving this comment/question! If you don't plan on using electric over hydraulic any time soon, the Primus will be a great controller for you. It will be dependable and very user friendly.
@@TheTrailerSmith Thanks so much for your reply. After I posted that I realized that the Primus IQ will also work on electric over hydraulic brakes, even though that isn't important to me. Good to know that it will work for my purposes. I appreciate your video and the information. Thank you!
I have myself a 99 Silverado 1500 4x4 with the 5.3 vortec my truck is not equipped for electric brakes, I also have acquired a 20 ft tandem axle camp trailer that has electric brakes. Which brake controller can I get that is proportional that I can wire into my truck myself as I need to wire in an RV plug anyways. Normally I pull a pickup box trailer on a flat 4, my vehicle and will be the 7-round RV Plus flat-4.
I thank you for your like on my comment/statement..... Can I get an answer to my question of which brake controller I can wire into my truck myself that has the proportional breaking. I'm looking for one that I can put power to and run the electric brake line to the rear on my own so that I can put the 7-round RV plug on my truck.
Hi! I would recommend the Primus 90160. You'll need to run a 10 guage wire from the battery on a 30 amp breaker for the power supply. You'll need to run a 10 guage blue wire from the brake controller to the 7 way plug. Then you'll need to run a 14 guage wire from your brake switch to the controller and then the last wire will be the ground coming off the controller. The Primus will serve you well for your needs. Here’s a link for it on Amazon amzn.to/3HbpWnP
Hi just want to say all the Silverado trucks have the wiring setup. Buy a controller then get a 3015-p pigtail if not in glove box. Then go under hood to fuse box pull lid remove fender bracket on right then pull fuse box cover off then look left two red wires larger one put to left lower stud .then smaller on left top stud. Then connect the 2 blue wires on engine side of box. They may be together already. Next put everything back together then look at the fuses there will be a red block out fuse top left remove and put in a 40amp green fuse then your done.
@@oldschoolhomesteadfarm2683 I have the late '99 Silverado 1500 4x4. I have already had a shop look at the tail end of my truck and there's no wiring back there for a seven-round, unless I'm missing some wiring components I don't know about, also I bought the truck used and have had to put work into it. Right now I'm only running flat-4.
Which would you recommend for a 2001 f350 7.3? Mine just broke the cover fell off and trailer brakes locked on me cut the wires to get going for the time being now looking to replace.
If you're not towing electric over hydraulic brake system, the Primus will do a great job for you. If you are towing electric over hydraulic brake system, then I recommend the P3. Thanks for checking out the video and good luck!
@@TheTrailerSmith all I can find around me is the p3 so that it is I guess. I don’t fully understand what electric over hydraulic means can you shed some light on that for me? Be greatly appreciated
@@brandon22333 Electric over hydraulic is hydraulic brakes operated by electric pump. The P3 will work either way, so that would be a good choice. I've included Amazon links for the Primus & the P3 in case you want to check them out there.
Hi! I don't have any personal experience with Redarc products. Tekonsha makes one that is very similar to this one, as well. I'm a little more "old school" in that I prefer to use the more traditional controllers.
@@TheTrailerSmith I installed it the other day. Very clean install, no visible box, just a push button dial that looks like factory install (fits in a blank slot on the dash in the Tacoma). Seems like a good way to go, but no screen for direct feedback like P3, just different colored led, that tell you what it’s up to.
Hi. Thanks for watching! Tekonsha’s brake controllers are proportional. I’m not aware of a dynamic controller. Several of the Tekonsha controllers offer a boost option which would definitely come into play and be a help in a sudden stop situation or steep grade. They work off of inertia so that the towed unit does not have a brake lock up or skid from various braking situations. Hope this helps!
Agreed! Those displays only appear to be flashing in the video because that's the way it looks on camera. In real life, they are steady. No seizure machine driving down the road! 🙂
I have been installing controllers over for 30 years. With out one hesitation, Tekonsha is the best controllers on the market. In all these years, I have installed an average of 50-100 controllers a year. I only warrantied maybe 10 Tekonsha controllers. I will install "other" manufacturers controller on request by customer but that is their choice.
Yes sir! That’s for sure where I’m at with it, too! Thanks for watching!
Mine just failed :(
Brakes can be applied manually but brake pedal wont activated them, already checked power to wite and everything checks good, just bad luck
sorry to here. you have that " one in a million " defective control. @@TrollingSince1991
@@TrollingSince1991 aww man! That stinks! A failed Tekonsha brake controller is definitely the exception. Sorry to hear that.
As always, thank you! Wife and I both have the P2. I subscribed and you're my go to channel!
Thank you! Straight to the point and why you like this brand. I'll be ordering one.
Thank you for watching!
Great video! I have the P2 prodigy. I love it. I first used it on my 2000 suburban and the pigtail plugged right in to the fuse block area, so easy. Now it's in my 2003 chevy 1500hd. I like the fact that it's acceleration (deceleration) based and not timer based.
Thanks for watching! Sure appreciate the feedback!
I have a brand new, 3900 lb, 2 axle trailer with self-adjusting brakes. I am pretty sure the brakes are properly set up. I have noticed on the other videos that you caution against running the controller at 10. I have a Prodigy controller. When I set it up according to the Prodigy instructions it is set at 9 (out of 12). That is: full power on by using the manual activation lever until wheels lock then back off a bit. In normal use I never see the voltage reading go over maybe 6 at the most. Does the caution against running the controller at 10 not apply to these proportional controllers?
Which one will shut off when ignition off so no battery drain? Thanks!
Awesome video. Need more real world top .... Videos.
Appreciate the feedback! Thanks for watching the channel!
What do you think of the curt echo
Great video. Thanks!
Thank for watching!
Which would you recommend for a 2019 Colorado V6 towing a 3600lb travel trailer? Thanks!
Hi! I would recommend the Tekonsha Primus. If your truck already has the 7 way towing package, the wiring for the brake controller should be in the driver kick panel. I don’t believe it will be plug & play. Most likely it will need to be hard wired in.
Hope this helps! Thank you for watching!
Great summary good advice, very knowledgeable, tks
Happy to hear the video was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Howdy. I tested trailer plug on Yukon. Is this normal?
I was connected to a known good trailer rig.
I noticed when I turned my Yukon lights on, the RV brakes were getting some power...I could hear them whining, even in Park. I was parked in Park and Parking Brake on. It does the same thing in Drive, Reverse and Neutral. It will read 3.9V to 4.1V on the brake blade even though nothing is calling for brake power. If I step on the Yukon brake firmly, it goes up to 13.xV as it should.
All other pins behave normally when they should.
There is always about 30 to 50mV on the brake power blade, even with the Yukon lights fully Off and the adjustment knob on the controller all the way to minimum. When I turn on the Yukon Parking or Headlamp switch, AND the manual controller button for brake power is squeezed, and the variable output knob is turned from 0 to Max, the Voltage will climb with these switches being moved and max out at 3.9 to 4.1V. It does this in Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive...exact same behavior.
So I can get the power to almost stop on the brakes while driving it with the lights on, but not entirely as it always has 30 to 50 mili-volts on that blade. But then I have to manually squeeze the controller's brake button to get brakes to engage.
What the hell is going on, bad Brake Controller or bad wiring job? I've never noticed brakes whining if sitting in Park unless the brake pedal was being pressed with my other vehicles.
You ever experience this?
Thank you!
Great Video! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Tekonsha brake controller line up!
I really like your content! I do have a question with my own trailer. I know it will be near impossible for you to comment but it may be something you have pearls of wisdom about. I am pulling a new nuCamp 320 with a 2022 Tacoma. I have installed a Redarc Tow Pro Liberty controller and have also had the unit replaced under warranty once. The problem is when I am coming to a stop. The LED indicators and braking action are normal when braking from highway speeds but as I come to a stop, the trailer brakes pulse on and off several times and yellow LED flashes. (The manual does not give any situation for this kind of event.) The brakes don't lock up, but increase in intensity quite a lot. It seems to happen after I've been driving for awhile and if I brake lightly it seems to not happen. I have already checked the adjustment on the Dexter electric brakes and those seem within normal range. Could this just be that I have the gain set a bit too high? Thanks in advance if you have an idea but understand if you can't comment. If you weren't so far away I'd definitely come in to your shop.
Hi, I have an 07 Silverado Classic 1500 with HD tow package(7-pin plug). I don't do a lot of pulling, but I have had to pull a double-axle a couple of times equipped with brakes. As far as I can tell, everything is pre-wired, just need to plug in to driver kick panel. Do I still need to run anything to fuse box, and what would your recommendation be for a controller?
Thoughts on a wireless brake controller?
Gday, I have a p3 control, do I have to check the controller every time I hook up ? With the same trailer? I have been using mine for about 2 yrs( came with car ) last tow my right caravan wheel locked up, short skid, next brake application spun both my backing plate assemblies, broke the square plate welds, was only doing about 35kmh, brake shoe adjustments are fine, can my unit have had a power spike ? If so , what may of caused it ?
what about RedArc system?
I have never used RedArc, personally. However I do see they have great reviews and I’ve had customers give positive feedback on the units. I’m just a die hard Tekonsha fan because I’ve used them for so long and I have the old school “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. I think I’m gonna have to get one and try it just so I can give an honest review.
I'm curious too, I'm a p2 man myself but now I have a vehicle with no good place for a controller which has me checking the redarc, I don't like the lack of adjustable manual activation like the p2 has
Can the P3 be mounted in different positions?
Ive got a Teconsha envoy that stopped working. Doe teconsha have a service/repair dept?
Hi there! Great question! Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to that one. I did a little digging on their website and I was able to see that the Envoy is a discontinued product. I was also able to find this info if you wanted to contact Tekonsha directly.
This was in a FAQ section on their website:
I am an end-consumer with a question or concern about my product, who can I contact?
Contact one of our experienced Technical Service Representatives at 1 (800) 632-3290 or email technicalservice@horizonglobal.com.
Best of luck!!
Which would you recommend me for my 2004 Silverado 2500 4x4
Hi there! I think a Primus would work well for you. I'll include a link to one on Amazon in case you would like to check it out. Thanks for watching!
amzn.to/43x5A1t
I'm looking to replace an old pendulum style controller with a modern proportional controller. I will be towing a 29-foot 5th wheel (dual axle, electric brakes). The P3 looks interesting but I won't be towing anything with electric over hydraulic brakes so that capability isn't needed in my case. Knowing that, is there any other real advantage of the P3 over the Primus? It seems to me that the Primus would work fine in my case, but I'm no expert on brake controllers. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching and leaving this comment/question! If you don't plan on using electric over hydraulic any time soon, the Primus will be a great controller for you. It will be dependable and very user friendly.
@@TheTrailerSmith Thanks so much for your reply. After I posted that I realized that the Primus IQ will also work on electric over hydraulic brakes, even though that isn't important to me. Good to know that it will work for my purposes. I appreciate your video and the information. Thank you!
I have myself a 99 Silverado 1500 4x4 with the 5.3 vortec my truck is not equipped for electric brakes, I also have acquired a 20 ft tandem axle camp trailer that has electric brakes. Which brake controller can I get that is proportional that I can wire into my truck myself as I need to wire in an RV plug anyways. Normally I pull a pickup box trailer on a flat 4, my vehicle and will be the 7-round RV Plus flat-4.
I thank you for your like on my comment/statement..... Can I get an answer to my question of which brake controller I can wire into my truck myself that has the proportional breaking. I'm looking for one that I can put power to and run the electric brake line to the rear on my own so that I can put the 7-round RV plug on my truck.
Hi! I would recommend the Primus 90160. You'll need to run a 10 guage wire from the battery on a 30 amp breaker for the power supply. You'll need to run a 10 guage blue wire from the brake controller to the 7 way plug. Then you'll need to run a 14 guage wire from your brake switch to the controller and then the last wire will be the ground coming off the controller. The Primus will serve you well for your needs. Here’s a link for it on Amazon amzn.to/3HbpWnP
Hi just want to say all the Silverado trucks have the wiring setup. Buy a controller then get a 3015-p pigtail if not in glove box. Then go under hood to fuse box pull lid remove fender bracket on right then pull fuse box cover off then look left two red wires larger one put to left lower stud .then smaller on left top stud. Then connect the 2 blue wires on engine side of box. They may be together already. Next put everything back together then look at the fuses there will be a red block out fuse top left remove and put in a 40amp green fuse then your done.
@@oldschoolhomesteadfarm2683 I have the late '99 Silverado 1500 4x4. I have already had a shop look at the tail end of my truck and there's no wiring back there for a seven-round, unless I'm missing some wiring components I don't know about, also I bought the truck used and have had to put work into it. Right now I'm only running flat-4.
Which would you recommend for a 2001 f350 7.3? Mine just broke the cover fell off and trailer brakes locked on me cut the wires to get going for the time being now looking to replace.
If you're not towing electric over hydraulic brake system, the Primus will do a great job for you. If you are towing electric over hydraulic brake system, then I recommend the P3. Thanks for checking out the video and good luck!
@@TheTrailerSmith all I can find around me is the p3 so that it is I guess. I don’t fully understand what electric over hydraulic means can you shed some light on that for me? Be greatly appreciated
@@brandon22333 Electric over hydraulic is hydraulic brakes operated by electric pump. The P3 will work either way, so that would be a good choice. I've included Amazon links for the Primus & the P3 in case you want to check them out there.
@@brandon22333 amzn.to/3qAfgti
@@brandon22333 amzn.to/445sFbB
How hard is it to rewire the brake wires on a pj dump trailer?
Hi! Are you asking how to do a full brake rewire or just looking to wire in at the brake assembly?
Any opinion on the Redarc Elite?
Hi! I don't have any personal experience with Redarc products. Tekonsha makes one that is very similar to this one, as well. I'm a little more "old school" in that I prefer to use the more traditional controllers.
@@TheTrailerSmith I installed it the other day. Very clean install, no visible box, just a push button dial that looks like factory install (fits in a blank slot on the dash in the Tacoma). Seems like a good way to go, but no screen for direct feedback like P3, just different colored led, that tell you what it’s up to.
Are there brake controllers that handle dynamic situations such as a panic braking where you might want max effort braking in a panic situation?
Hi. Thanks for watching! Tekonsha’s brake controllers are proportional. I’m not aware of a dynamic controller. Several of the Tekonsha controllers offer a boost option which would definitely come into play and be a help in a sudden stop situation or steep grade. They work off of inertia so that the towed unit does not have a brake lock up or skid from various braking situations. Hope this helps!
@@TheTrailerSmith Appreciated, thank you.
I plugged mine in to a 2002 silverado and have nothing on display. Not connected to trailer yet.
There are a couple of connections you’ll need to make at the fuse block on the truck. I can try to get you a reference for that.
👍👍
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
Are any of the models not seizure machines? That flashing LED display, at night, would be distracting as hell.
Agreed! Those displays only appear to be flashing in the video because that's the way it looks on camera. In real life, they are steady. No seizure machine driving down the road! 🙂