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Brake controller recommendations?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by ChadVKealey, May 2, 2017.

  1. May 2, 2017 at 11:50 AM
    #1
    ChadVKealey

    ChadVKealey [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2017 SR5 V6 w/ towing package and I've been drafted to pull the trailer for my son's Boy Scout Troop. It has electric brakes, so I need to get a controller. I'll likely be pulling it one weekend a month and may occasionally tow a small travel trailer (pop-up or the like), so not real heavy-duty or constant towing. I think the Troop trailer is rated for about 4,000 pounds, but the actual load is probably around 3,000.

    The Troop may be willing to pay for it, but since I'll be using it for personal stuff as well, I think I'd prefer to spend my own money. However, if any of you have been in a similar situation and have any advice, I'm all ears.

    In any case, I'm looking for the best value for occasional towing. It seems like most of them have adapters available that will plug right in to the factory wiring harness, so I'm planning on a DIY install.

    Thanks!
    -Chad
     
  2. May 2, 2017 at 7:08 PM
    #2
    Aquatic Tacoma

    Aquatic Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I just wired up a Prodigy 2. There is a 3 out but I don't need the extra features. Have had good service from prior Prodigy models. Check out Etrailer.com. They have "plug and play" harnesses for many models. Mine wasn't one of them, but I wired it up with one of their wiring kits. Some good info on their site. Have had good customer service from them.

    Good on you for the Scout thing. Years ago I did the Den leader to Scoutmaster and on, for my boys. A lot of good times.
     
  3. May 2, 2017 at 7:10 PM
    #3
    mlevinson

    mlevinson Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, Tekonsha is the only way to go with brake controllers IMO.
     
  4. May 4, 2017 at 6:56 AM
    #4
    ChadVKealey

    ChadVKealey [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the info. I ordered a P3 yesterday since it seemed the price was at a low point (in the last week it's been anywhere from $113 to $140 on Amazon, got it at $117).
     
  5. May 15, 2017 at 6:21 PM
    #5
    Adk46er

    Adk46er Well-Known Member

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    Good choice going with the Tekonsha P3. Easy to install on the 3rd gen. I have used it one full camping season and am very pleased with its performance.
     
  6. May 16, 2017 at 7:59 PM
    #6
    PA452

    PA452 Well-Known Member

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    I just ordered a Tekonsha P3 for my 2015 Tacoma with tow package. Quick question, the pigtail provided with the truck in the glove box is all I will need with this brake controller correct? I don't need to purchase a separate wiring harness?
     
  7. May 16, 2017 at 8:14 PM
    #7
    IronPeak

    IronPeak PermaLurker

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    Yes, the ones you can buy are plug and play. The harnss in the glove requires splicing but is all you need besides butt connectors and hand tools.
     
  8. May 18, 2017 at 6:30 AM
    #8
    ChadVKealey

    ChadVKealey [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hrm...did they stop including that harness with the changeover to the 3rd gen? The only wiring bit that came with my 2017 is the plug you'd use to block/protect the backup camera wiring when the tailgate is completely removed. Not that I'm above or afraid of splicing, but I bought the accompanying harness from Tekonsha and the dash cubby mounting plate from ESP Trucks for a factory-look install.
     
  9. May 30, 2017 at 2:38 PM
    #9
    Sandyman

    Sandyman Well-Known Member

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    I went with the Hopkins Insight controller. I was concerned about when to mount a traditional controller where it was at my knee or taking up cubby space. Turned out to be a little of a pain after-all. I mounted the display right at corner of dash and A-piller as planned but the controller paddle was a little harder to place and ended up for now just below the display, supplied double sticky tape placing it just left of the A/C vent. Actually turned out ok to reach but I'm not hot on sticking stuff to a dashboard, just a matter of time before it falls off. The actual controller box is attached under dash using Velcro to the wiring connectors above e-brake.

    Worked fine towing the R-Pod, played with manual activation and had it set to about 50% max. Never felt pushed around going down hills even with a stop at bottom of a mountain.

    Sandy
     
  10. Jun 29, 2017 at 12:22 PM
    #10
    TrabFTW

    TrabFTW Active Member

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    Now that you've had the Hopkins Insight a while, what are your thoughts on it?
     
  11. Jun 29, 2017 at 7:24 PM
    #11
    Sandyman

    Sandyman Well-Known Member

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    Here are some pix of my Hopkins Insight Brake controller. The display and paddle can go anywhere you like. About 3 or 4 feet of cable come with it.
    I placed the controller box above the drivers kick panel and attached to a bracket with velcro. Care to mount with cables towards front bumper otherwise it doesn't work. I had planned to mount backwards because of cable routing but using unusual wisdom I asked customer service and they corrected me.

    a Drivers view.jpg b Close corner.jpg c Lit up power.jpg d Lit sensitivity.jpg e cable tuck.jpg f Control box.jpg g Kick panel.jpg
     
  12. Jun 29, 2017 at 7:34 PM
    #12
    Sandyman

    Sandyman Well-Known Member

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    I like the display right where it is but the manual control paddle I'm not quite so sure of even though it worked OK. The double sided sticky tape seems to be holding better than expected and position is growing on me.

    btw, that red light stays on when truck is off, if I need to park extended period of time I'm finding a way to remove power. The display lights up when you attach a trailer.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2017
  13. Jun 29, 2017 at 10:24 PM
    #13
    TrabFTW

    TrabFTW Active Member

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    That looks great. Thanks for the pics. In regards to ease of use and performance, how do you like it?
     
  14. Jun 30, 2017 at 5:52 AM
    #14
    Sandyman

    Sandyman Well-Known Member

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    Couldn't be easier. The only time I paid attention to it was when I tested it. I rough guessed 50% power factor with the up/down buttons on right side and initially set sensitivity by pushing the left side button repeatedly to 2 (low) and only increased it once to 3 when I was in the hills.
    Of course those numbers will be nudged with a different trailer.
    When playing with manual activation, I rested my arm on window sill, leaned forward a little and the paddle was right at my fingertip, no need to take eyes off road to hunt for it because it's in my peripheral vision. Also seems out of the way there, never bumped it while reaching got something else.
    Sandy
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2017
    TrabFTW likes this.
  15. Jun 30, 2017 at 11:33 AM
    #15
    TrabFTW

    TrabFTW Active Member

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    I think you just sold me. Thanks.
     
  16. Jun 30, 2017 at 10:39 PM
    #16
    Sandyman

    Sandyman Well-Known Member

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    Where I placed the control box is a little tight. The e-brake gearage it real close so I tucked the wires behind the kick panel. The adapter cable is pretty long so there was a lot to loop around , I may shorten it one day.
    Enjoy.
    Sandy
     
  17. Sep 18, 2017 at 7:38 PM
    #17
    TrabFTW

    TrabFTW Active Member

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    Thanks again for your review. Just finished installing mine, pretty much exactly like yours. Not a lot of room for options. Thanks again man.
     
  18. Sep 20, 2017 at 8:15 AM
    #18
    Sandyman

    Sandyman Well-Known Member

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  19. Aug 31, 2020 at 9:22 AM
    #19
    TheGoodLife

    TheGoodLife Active Member

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    How have the Hopkins Insight controllers worked out for those that have them? I'm looking to install one on my 2011 DC TRD Sport and this looks reasonably easy as a DIY based on the posts. I'm also open to other suggestions and feedback on various controllers that could work on the Gen 2 as it seems there are some differences in mounting and access/displays/manual controls etc. Thanks!
     
  20. Sep 5, 2020 at 1:45 AM
    #20
    m00seNUckLEz

    m00seNUckLEz tAc0 aFiCi0nAd0

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    Just wanted to share this sweet brake controller I picked up for my Tacoma today. Plugs into the factory trailer port, connects through Bluetooth, super easy to set up and use. No need to hardwire in an ugly controller in the cab. Controlled through an app on your phone. No need to keep the app open to use it either.

    19877FFB-D8AA-486D-987C-2C905F5C2EE5.jpg 8F079698-7962-451A-9A30-7136229FADAB.jpg IMG_0750.jpg IMG_6591.jpg
     
    NightmanATX likes this.

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