Trailer Brake controller?

you would need to research if the 'cheaper' brand has a vehicle specific harness to be plug and play. Certainly, on the vehicle side, it's a socket, but not all brands are as easy as tekonsha to fit.

Personally, I went with a Tekonsha prodigy P2 for $125 and the harness for $15-20 for an easy install. Tekonsha is the most recomended brand, and that's not a bad price for peace of mind of a reputable company. how much cheaper do you want to go? is it worth the saving of $30 or whatever.... Your brake controller is a long term investment, it can move vehicles with you (just get a new harness for different vehicle).

My install here: http://www.tacomaexpeditions.com/brake_controller.shtml

 

I did the tekonsha voyager based off another members recommendation it works just fine

 

Just to explain why you may want a manual override...

Imagine you're driving down the highway doing 70-75, you start to feel the trailer swaying left to right, which in turn is pushing the back of your truck side to side, increasing oscillations. If not corrected, you will end up crashing, now first come off the gas but don't brake with the truck. A touch of manual brake on the trailer however can bring those
oscillations under control without the truck being pushed from behind and avoids the risk of jacknifing. Side to side movement can be caused by speed, uneven load, side winds etc... it's always possible no matter how good a driver you are, know your tools and how to use them, there is more to trailering than just pulling something behind you!

Perhaps you're going down a steep slope and you're trailer is pushing you more than you expected, you can use the manual override to help increase braking so the truck isn't pushed from behind, especially important in icy conditions...

And of course, the display tells you when you're connected, if there's an error code, has boost functions in case you're load is heavier than normal or it's a different trailer.

There's many reasons to keep the controller in reach of the driver, visible

 

The P3 works great for me and there are some really good deals on eBay that combine the controller with a 2015 tundra harness which is what you need. I think I paid around $120 shipped for both.

 

Whatever you end up with, don't get a 'time-delayed' style controller. Those things are total bullshit

 

Good advise right there!

 

I have the P3 ordered from Amazon. A local place had a lower model for almost the same cost. But it wouldn't fit in the cubby hole.

 

Does the pocket just pop out !! would like to put my Prodigy II in there

 

The pocket does pop out with a little leverage from a screwdriver. I installed my P2 in that location. my install on my website:

http://www.tacomaexpeditions.com/brake_controller.shtml

 

I printed out the instructions but I notice in the picture of the pocket sticks out a little .Does it fit that way or go all the way back in?

Thanks Tom C.

 

It sits in okay. I took photo when I was testing fit, never got back to take a photo of complete work. Thought it useful to show tabs so you know what your working with. Just be careful with screwdriver, I marked my plastic a tiny bit, bit not really noticable.

 

Thank You for the Advice !!! Will be installing mine soon. I have the same brake control just waiting for the plug in cable !!

 

I got the P3 yesterday. It is a tight fit into the cubby hole. Were the earlier ones also tight? I'm wondering how far to push it back.

 

Strikes me as a little ignorant. Our trucks are rated to 6500 pounds. You wouldn't catch me dead towing that without trailer brakes.

 

I installed my P3 today. I broke one of the plastic push connectors on the kick panel. I tested it out by hooking up to the trailer. It seems to recognize the trailer. I didn't drive it yet though.

 

BRILLIANT!!!

I mounted my prodigy in the storage area forward of the shift lever in my '14. Velcro'd it in place, drilled a hole in the plastic, spliced the wires so the brake plug would live in the cubby without the connector.

This location is spot on. I'm following your great example.

 

I pushed mine in until the hinge point on the brake lever (bottom of the unit) just touched the dash.

 

Not the a towing expert, but here's some dumb ol' Army Sergeant logic. Past two years I have seen two wrecks with a new Tundra, and a GMC Sierra both towing large trailers. Don't now if they were fifth wheels or not. One was south of Pueblo, Tundra and new trailer on their side. The other was on hwy 50 headed out of Pueblo with the GMC and I have no idea as the trailer exploded in the center median, truck upside down. Not sure if a brake controller would have saved anyone, but being able to stop as quick as you can couldn't have hurt.

I don't know about weights, CGVWR, etc.. but for the small $$$ a controller will cost it seems to be very well worth it. Even if you don't use it.....often.

 

Installed mine today

 

What brake cable did you use if you don't mind me asking? I have seen where some guys are saying the cable is too short. When I hooked up my P2 in my '14, I had to tie up the excess cable under the dash. The connector is under the kick panel (?) so it doesn't look like you need more than a few feet. thanks