Is this right for you? Product Expert Kathleen M says:
Brake controller engages your trailer's brakes in proportion to deceleration. Mounts within a 125-degree vertical range. Easily adjust power output and braking aggressiveness. Solid-state design with digital display and manual override.
Features:
Specs:
With a proportional brake controller, you can get heavy-duty emergency braking, general braking, or slow-to-an-idle braking for your trailer automatically. The intensity with which your trailer brakes are activated and the rate at which they are applied are dependent on the deceleration of your tow vehicle. This means that, unlike time-delay controllers - which send the same amount of preset power to your trailer brakes every time - proportional controllers are able to adapt to every braking situation differently.
So, if you slam on the brakes in your truck, your trailer brakes will activate with that same extreme intensity. And if you merely slow down as you approach a red light, your trailer will gradually brake in the same manner.
As long as the Genesis is properly mounted according to the included instructions, the controller will automatically level, sense the tow vehicle's deceleration, and adjust the trailer's braking accordingly. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time.
The diagram above shows the controls and components of the Hayes Genesis electric trailer brake controller.
The power output control lets you set the maximum amount of power that will be applied to your trailer's brakes. Typically, the power output is only readjusted if you switch from a heavy, loaded trailer to a much lighter, empty trailer - or vice versa.
During the initial setup process, use the adjustment buttons on the left front of the Genesis controller to adjust the power output. To view the output setting, press either button and release. The output setting will appear as a percentage on the digital display - from 10 to 99. Use the plus and minus buttons to raise or lower the setting in increments of 5.
The Hayes Genesis also offers a boost feature that gives you more initial braking power for those times when you're towing heavy loads or a larger trailer. You can switch boost levels so that the power output to your trailer brakes automatically starts out at a set percentage of the predetermined power setting.
If you're towing a heavy load, sending out more initial power to the trailer brakes - and causing them to reach maximum braking faster - allows you to better control the trailer so it doesn't push your tow vehicle before coming to a complete stop.
To set the initial power, press the minus button until the display flashes, then release. Cycle through the available settings (5, 10, 15, 20, or 25) using the minus button and press the plus button to select one. The higher the setting, the more aggressive the braking will be. Hayes makes the following recommendations for which boost setting(s) to use with your towing setup:
| Approximate Gross Trailer Weight | Boost Setting |
|---|---|
| Much less than the tow vehicle | 5 |
| Less than the tow vehicle | 10 |
| Roughly equal to the tow vehicle | 10 or 15 |
| Slightly greater than the tow vehicle | 15 or 20 |
| Much greater than the tow vehicle | 20 or 25 |
The Genesis brake controller features an easy-to-read LED window that displays the settings as you adjust them.
While braking, the display shows the amount of power going to the trailer brakes as a percentage of the total available. You can change this display to show voltage or current during trailer set-up or when troubleshooting problems. When the brake pedal is released, the unit will go into standby mode.
The display will also show trouble codes to alert you to any potential problems, such as a short circuit or an open circuit. A code will also appear if the brake controller surpasses its rated power limit.
The manual slide lever overrides the preset power output and allows the operator to engage the trailer brakes without using the vehicle's brakes. In addition to being a necessary safety feature, this option helps to control trailer sway by slowing the trailer to put it back solidly behind the tow vehicle.
You can also engage the manual override to help you move a sliding 5th-wheel hitch closer to your truck's tailgate for tight maneuvering during slow speed turns. Just apply the manual override to hold the trailer in place while slowly moving the tow vehicle forward.
Quick, Simple Installation
Because this controller operates with an internal inertia sensor, it must be mounted between -35 degrees and 90 degrees in the vertical plane. The Genesis must be mounted on a level horizontal (side-to-side) plane and must be lined up with the direction of travel for the internal sensor to function properly.
Installation of the Genesis requires that you either purchase a custom wiring adapter designed to plug into the controller or that you hardwire the controller directly into your vehicle. To hardwire the Genesis, you must remove the plug at the end of the integrated wiring harness.
Installation Accessories
The Hayes vehicle-specific, dual-mated wiring adapter is available for most newer trucks and SUVs with tow packages. One end of the custom adapter plugs into your vehicle's brake controller port, and the other end plugs into the controller - no hardwiring required.
Hayes also offers a universal wiring harness (HA81789-HBC - sold separately) that plugs into any Hayes brake controller. The 4 leads on the universal harness can then be hardwired into your vehicle. By splicing the universal adapter into your wiring instead of directly connecting the brake controller to your wiring, you gain the ability to unplug and remove the controller from your vehicle should the need arise.
Notes:
See also etrailer.com's exclusive 7- and 4-way brake control installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately) if you don't already have a 7-way plug at the back of your vehicle.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (24 Customer Reviews)
Brake controller engages your trailer's brakes in proportion to deceleration. Mounts within a 125-degree vertical range. Easily adjust power output and braking aggressiveness. Solid-state design with digital display and manual override.Thus Hayes Genesis brake controller installed quite easily with an 2" aluminum plate I fabricated to enhance the mounting on my 2017 Ram. The recommended Hayes wire connection matched my existing Ram control harness. Mount, plug & play. The instructions for change to modes, settings were clear, easy to follow. Seems like an overall great controller, great value, made in USA!
John K - 08/26/2021Given the contradictory information about the availability of the grey connector under the steering wheel for a 2017 Ford Explorer Sport w factory tow package, I ordered the brake controller along with the wiring harness. In previous versions of the Ford Explorer, the plug is there. I took off the plastic cover and the metal plate that sits underneath the steering wheel. The plastic cover has two screws that hold the bottom of it and several push bracket - which was the hardest part to take off without breaking any of the plastic tabs. Once those two things are off tucked underneath the steering wheel is the grey plug. I plugged the wiring harness in, reinstalled the metal plate and the plastic cover. I used one of the holding screws for the plastic cover to attach the bracket for the brake controller (see pic) so that I didn't have to screw into the plastic cover. I was worried I would hit the brake controller with my foot or would be unable to use the hood release, but it sits just fine. Took less than 30 minutes to install. Unlike the last install of a brake controller which took me 7 hours to install all the wiring on my old Volvo XC90. Since I just installed this last night, I have not used it with a trailer.
Very happy with this controller.
I’ve come to expect anything to do with trailer wiring to be frustrating and a giant pain. Not so with this unit. Good clear instructions and the harness adapter made it easy, truly plug and play. Worked right first time and ever since, with very precise brake control on 7,500# boat and double axle trailer.
I bought a travel trailer to tow with my 2015 Tacoma which has a factory towing package. It was a quick and easy install after I located the wire harness under the dash that it plugs in to. The controller works great.
Just installed the module in my 1500, im excited to try it out.
The controller fired right up and the supplied connector for my wife's 2009 F150 worked fine too. My second order from etrailer. Everything has been great with the exception discussed below - 2009 F150 owners take note - The video showing how to access the 2009 F150 tow package wiring harness plug is for trucks with bench seats. For bucket seats (aka, captain chairs) the plug is still in the location shown in the video, but bucket seat trucks have different dash trim than bench seat trucks. I was not able to fully remove the dash trim that is removed in the video, but was able to pull it away far enough to access the plug. I started removal from the top vice the bottom as shown in the video. That piece of trim has a lip that goes under the instrument cluster trim, but it can be coaxed out from under the cluster trim. Also, it helps to remove the kick plate trim piece near the floorboard to route the wires if mounting the controller on the trim below the steering wheel. The trim below the steering wheel can be removed to drill holes if that's where you're mounting the controller. All the trim pieces described above can be pulled loose by hand with the exception of the trim below the steering wheel which has 3 screws at the bottom.
Once my son-in-law tracked down a burned out fuse and we eliminated the previous owner's wiring mess at the back bumper, the new brake controller and adaptive wiring turned out to be "plug and play" on my '96 F250. Worked just as easily as the wiring harness from etrailer that got me trailer brake lights from my '94 Jeep XJ several months ago. If I need something else for trailers, I'll check etrailer again.
Easy install on 2008 Ram 1500, easy to use. Perfect for 2-axle car trailer!
I ordered an after market brake controller that was delivered on the exact date they told me it would arrive. It’s the only controller that will work the electric/hydrolic brake system on my trailer. I have been very pleased with the Hayes genesis controler.
Very easy to install on my 2013 tundra. Just remove inside panel by emergency brake pedal. Plug in , mount were desired, put side cover back on and hook up trailer. Adjust controler and go.
I have concluded that there is no reason to shop anywhere except etrailer. They put so much into everything they offer, I don't have to get a forced education on their products. They do the homework. If etrailer says its good, order it, install it, its that easy. Every thing works perfectly! Thank you etrailer.
Easy installation. No problems in the year I have had it. Works great. Trailer brakes activate smoothly even at low speed
Awesome easy install exactly what I needed and in less time then I dreamed ordered and was at my door step less than 24 hours amazing 20 out of 10 starts one very happy customer thanks again !!!
Good product easy install. Brake proportion could be more sensitive when braking....
This model controller has performed well for my application.
Easy to install works great
super fast shipping. definitely will use etrailer in my future needs
item exactly as described. arrived quickly. Should be a breeze to install.
Very easy to use. Excellent product ov erall.
Does the job it was made for.
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