Top of the line brake controller worth the money?

I may tow a trailer with electronic brakes once or twice a year under 300 miles. Is it really worth buying a "top of the line" brake controller?

 

Yes

 

My buddy bought a super cheap controller and it cooked his brakes in less than 300 miles since he could never get it set correctly. Now he's buying twice. Don't buy twice.

 

Good point! Thanks guys!

 

What is "top of the line" vs "super cheap"? I just bought a Tekonsha Primus IQ. While it was on the "cheaper" end of brake controllers, the Tekonsha brand, including the Primus model have great reviews.

 

Nope.

In almost all things you get into dimenishing returns. Buying the absolute cheapest is not the best idea in safety equipment but once you hit average you end up spending a lot more for only a tiny difference.

Don't get a timed controller (ooooold school). Get one that doesn't need to be mounted perfectly level, needs to be directly parallel to your path or works with exterior pendulum. Most mId grades will do every thing you ever need.

 

I was thinking perhaps I'll get a Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control

 

That's a good one!

 

So, does it have to be level? I was thinking annoy mounting it below the open/close "drawer" to the left of the steering wheel which would make it at an angle

 

If your only towing occasionally use the Reese Towpower 7437711. It's was only $30 bucks and has great reviews. It's also small enough to install in the change draw so it's out of sight. Lost of guys on the forum are using them.

 

Yeah, I don't have a trailer, so i would have to borrow brother-in-law's trailer. I don't see me doing that often, but wanted to be prepared if I had to. All the uhaul trailers are surge brake types, so I haven't had to have a controller.

 

Tekonsha p3. Hands down. Order the harness for Toyota. Dig under the drivers side kick panel, plug and play never look back

 

That one isn't a proportional controller, right? I have heard that you really want one of those instead of a timed one. But I am really new to towing and brake controls, so I have no idea what I am talking about or even if what I just said makes sense.

 

I have the pigtail, should I still get the harness? yeah, i already found the plug under the dash for it.

 

Also, do brake controllers need a power source, or does it get it from the plug under the dash?

 

the Toyota pre rig harness was $20ish dollars and it plugged in. No power source needed, it feeds everything through the plug. Literally plug and play. You will love it. It also remembers different trailers, when I plug in the camper it has that setting and my little dump trailer has a different one. It is an amazing little box.

 

Unless you're wiring a old truck you don't 3rd to run much. Usualy just a pigtail to the controller and maybe plugging in a relay.

 

No it's not a proportional controler. I've been using it with my 3500lbs TT and works fine. When I'm on the highway I turn the gain up and if I'm finding it braking aggressively in the city I turn it down a touch. It works well with lighter trailer at or under 3500lbs.

 

I got theDraw-Tite Activator IV it will work up to 4 axles can be mounted in any prostitution with read out it came with wiring harness plug and play, fits just right in cubby hole took about 30 min. To install

 

"Prostitution"? Got to love when your phone corrects your spellong.