Looking for advice on brake controllers. What brands and models are good?

Edit Update: Bought this 18ft LAMAR car hauler which is 2,150lbs. Was going to get a tandem axle utility trailer but for the price, weight and uses I chose to just get a car hauler. My truck is a 2013 Tacoma dcsb 4.0 auto, OME 886's with Bilstein5100's set at zero for 3"lift up front, Bilstein 5100's rear, stock springs (overload removed) with Wheelers 3 leaf ad a leafs, Firestone ride rite airbags with daystar cradles and 265/75/16 load range E Cooper ST Maxx.

I ended up buying the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 with Tacoma specific harness. Just added E track strips to the deck. Winch and stake sides are next along with spare tire mount.

What brake controllers do y'all use?

 

WOW, that's going to be alot of weight if you load up that trailer. I use the Redarc tow-pro brake controller with a Curt brake controller harness.

 

This is the one that I use and I found it to be the easiest to use.

$178 Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control , silver, Single

https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-901...588852731&sprefix=tecumseh+bra,aps,140&sr=8-2

 

Thanks. I dont plan on loading it too heavy, definitely not over the truck or trailers ratings. Eventually I'll move up to a Tundra or other fullsize truck so that weight won't be as much of an issue.

 

Definitely get one that's proportionally controlled, the time-delay models aren't worth your time. Tekonsha makes great controllers, the P3 is really popular. The Voyager is a good, inexpensive no frills option.

There are a few newer models that allow for a more stealth install. Redarc makes a couple, there are other brands too.

 

what harness for the p3?

 

Tekonsha P3 controller FTW!

$178 Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Control , silver, Single

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P17NXQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's the associated Tekonsha 3017 wiring harness:

$30 Tekonsha 3017 Brake Controller

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R33UH6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have this in my 2017 and it works great! Easy install. I placed the controller right in the left hand cubby. For you 2020 folks without the cubby you'll need to use the included mounting hardware to screw it into the plastic panel underneath. It's a bit more than other controllers but IMO well worth it.

 

Tekonsha replaced the 3017 harness with model 3031. It has a separate ground wire, and is much safer. A member here almost had an electrical fire because the 3017 overheated and melted wires. If I remember right it was a P2 controller.

Edit: found it, it was a P3 that causes the damage. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/who-has-the-tekonsha-p3-brake-control-installed.521035/

 

Hmmmm thanks for telling me this! How well do you know the harness? For the one I referenced above I had a separate white wire that I had to attach to a chassis ground screw. Is the 3031 different?

 

If you had a separate ground wire to attach, then you should be fine. The one you linked to on Amazon does not show the extra ground wire in the product photo, which is why I commented.

 

I use the Tekonsha Primus IQ, pulling travel trailers between 3-4K lbs. It has an inertia sensor, smart brake boost, etc. etc. I pulled this trailer up and down California, up to Yosemite and down again with no issues. It was very easy to set up and get going, and adjust along the way.

I also bought a 2nd Gen Tacoma specific harness along with it (both off Amazon) which made it 100% plug and play with the tow package.

 

i towed 1 like that thru 3 states.............. no controller
not exactly Sunday school

aired up the firestone bags rear axle
actually didnt take much .......8psi to level

daytime
yellow revolving lites
very judicious stopping distances