Brake controller

What brake controller fits into the slot on the left side of the dash cubby hole

 

Look to post #5 by @cwolgy88 . I believe that is what you are looking for.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-look-brake-controller.497443/

 

If you need to take the lower panel off to run the cable, there are 3 screws along the bottom then a bunch of snap in clips that hold the panel in place. they also surround the SRS module below the steering wheel. they are hard to re-engage when you are putting the lower panel back in place. I took the upper trim peices out when i did mine but i don't think you need to. If however you do, lots of youtube videos on the process.

 

I fit my prodigy p2 in there. Doesn't look super oem. But it works, and I plan on taking it out over the winter when I'm not using it

 

I went with the RedArc Tow-Pro because of its much smaller form factor, but it doesn't exactly come cheap.

 

I still need to do this. I hate how the p2 looks in mine.

 

The p3 fits too.

 

If you do I would recommend going on the left side of the panel instead of the right like I did. Not a huge deal, but hard to see behind the wheel.

 

Thank you sir! Plan 'A' currently is to use a switch blank in one of your switch panels. It seems like the control dial would fit in one?

 

I'm pretty sure it would. I could also just quickly modify the existing design into a panel with two switches instead of three and the appropriate hole for the controller sunk directly into the plate...

 

That would be awesome! I'd definitely take you up on that if you're willing.

 

It'd be no problem. Tell me how you'd like the layout and I can modify the part and have it up on Shapeways within a day or two.

 

I'd like one too

 

I think the best configuration will be controller in place of the left-hand switch. Especially after hearing yours is blocked by the steering wheel.

 

Away from my house for at least another day, will get it done and uploaded when I get back.

 

Question for those of you with the Redarc. Does it have a manual actuation button or lever? Last time someone posted this controller no one could answer basic questions about it. Internet research offers very little outside the manufacturer website. I would like a full on review of what makes this the one to own aside from the small visible form when mounted.

I like the small form factor but other than that it seems from my research to be a sub par offering when features are considered. I had a Prodigy P2 and upgraded to the P3 due to the ability to set up and save more than one trailer to it as well as the ESP mounting plate option. I prefer my controller to be set up soft vs aggressive which is why I must have the manual actuator option for those emergency situations. (I once had a brake caliper fail on the truck an hour from home and was able to limp home by manually actuating the trailer brakes and stopping repeatedly to top up my master cylinder). The boost feature of the P2 and 3 and the other set up options make a really versatile controller that can be fine tuned to perfection. On the brakes the P3 with my enclosed trailer handled the same with the Tacoma as when it was hooked to my Ram 2500.

Not looking to debate which one is better and piss all over each other’s shoes. Just want a full review of the Redarc from people who own it. If you have had others in the past please compare one to the other feature wise. More and more controllers are going for the minimalist approach in terms of visible mounting and hidden black box but each one seems to sell on that alone. When compared to the better controllers they fall short. Thanks in advance for your reviews.

 

You press the dial to manually operate the brakes. I can go further in depth on the settings later but basically you have two modes, a proprtional mode that has a max braking point set on the dial and is proprtional based on accelerometer reading and a finite mode where the braking effort of the trailer is directly related to the position of the dial.

Here's the manual

 

I read the manual you posted. It seems a little basic compared to the controllers I have used. For instance the P2 or P3 has the proportional settings but also has boost settings. So you can dial in the initial bite of the brakes when the lights first come on and then ramps up to the proportional settings depending on G forces. Depending on load or which trailer I have hooked up I set different boost (initial bite) and can then dial the proportional forces in. Also the P3 has saved setups for more than one trailer so I can dial in what works best and save it. Then when switching between trailers or loaded vs unloaded I just switch profiles and I am dialed in exactly where I was last time with that setup.

Am I missing something or does the Redarc have comparable features? Nothing I have read indicates anything but the most basic features.

 

A cool looking and looks to be a nice clean mounting kit for the P3 brake controller.

https://www.esptruck.com/product-page/2016-2017-tacoma-prodigy-p3-brake-controller-mounting-kit