To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
This proportional brake controller has simple controls and a digital display for diagnostic information. Includes 3 boost levels, a slide-bar manual override, built-in battery protection, automatic leveling, and continuous diagnostics.
Features:
Specs:
You can adjust the gain (also known as output) with the thumbwheel on the front of the controller. Gain lets you set the maximum amount of power that will be applied to your trailer's brakes. A heavier trailer will need more power to achieve smooth, safe braking, while a lighter trailer will need less. Typically, the gain is only readjusted when you experience changing road conditions or if the weight of your trailer changes.
The boost setting controls the aggressiveness of your trailer's braking, meaning how quickly the brakes reach the maximum braking level. You can adjust this when you're towing heavy loads and you need more umph to bring your trailer to a stop. Your tow vehicle doesn't need that much power to brake in time, but your heavy trailer does.
Depending on the level of boost, your trailer brakes can start at either 13 percent or 25 percent of the set gain. What this means is that, instead of starting at 0, the brakes will start at 25 percent and get to 100 percent sooner. This keeps the trailer from pushing your tow vehicle forward.
If your trailer weighs less than your tow vehicle, no boost is needed. But, if you want your trailer to lead the braking, you can select level B1.
Boost Levels:
| Approximate Gross Trailer Weight | Boost Level | Increase in Initial Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| Less than tow vehicle GVW | B1 | 13% |
| Equal to tow vehicle GVW | B1 or B2 | 13% or 25% |
| Up to 25% more than tow vehicle GVW | B2 or B3* | 25% |
| Up to 40% more than tow vehicle GVW | B3* | 25% |
*Both B2 and B3 offer a 25-percent boost in initial power. But the braking curve for B3 is more aggressive than that of B2. This means that, even though you will start out with the same intensity when using these boost levels, you will get an overall more aggressive braking experience with the higher level. So if you use B3, you will reach maximum braking sooner than if you use B2.
To adjust the boost, use the blue push-button on the top of the Primus IQ.
The Tekonsha Primus IQ comes with an easy-to-reach, slide-bar manual override, great for stopping sway or controlling your trailer's momentum in emergencies. To engage the manual override, just push the slide-bar to the left, towards the center of the controller. This will activate the trailer's brakes and brake lights without you having to apply the brakes on your tow vehicle, perfect for limiting trailer movement while you're cruising.
The Primus IQ can mount between -90 degrees and 90 degrees vertically, but the brake controller still needs to be horizontally level and parallel with the direction of travel.
After mounting the Primus IQ unit in your cab using the included bracket, simply plug the included custom harness into your vehicle. The other end of the harness plugs into the brake controller. To remove the IQ for storage when you're not using it, just unplug the unit and slide it out of the bracket. With a replacement wiring harness (sold separately) and replacement bracket (6927 - sold separately), you can even transfer the IQ to another vehicle.
Note: If you don't already have a 7-way plug at the back of your vehicle, take a look at our exclusive 7- and 4-way brake controller installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately).
The Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller comes equipped with proportional braking to give you the best towing experience. Proportional braking means that your trailer brakes mimic your tow vehicle's brakes. If you slam on the brakes in your vehicle, your trailer brakes will activate with the same intensity; if you brake lightly, your trailer brakes lightly too. The trailer's braking is in proportion to your vehicle's braking. This saves wear and tear on the tires and the brakes on both your vehicle and trailer.
The Primus IQ uses an internal inertia sensor to detect how your vehicle is braking so it can send the right amount of braking power to your trailer. It measures the inertia of your tow vehicle and activates the trailer's brakes to slow at the same rate. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time.
Alternate Instructions
California residents: click here
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today on our 2016 Ram 1500 we will be taking a look at and installing the Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller for 1 to 3 axles. This will be proportional braking system. Part number TK90160. We will also be using the assistance of our Tekonsha Plug and Play Wire Adapter for Ram vehicles. Part number 3024-P. A few differences between this and our other models is going to be that this is going to be very simple and easy to use.
You're going to get your braking and minimal functions. Now the Primus is going to be super easy to use. Right now it's reading that our trailer is connected. If it's not connected, it will read N period C. Now let's go ahead and adjust the boost level. To do so, we're going to press a button on top.
Right now it's reading boost. Boost 1, Boost 2, and Boost 3. Now the difference between them is that the boost button is going to be a trailer weighs less than the vehicle towing it. Boost 1 is going to be a trailer that weighs the same amount. Boost 2 is going to be trailer that weighs 25% more.
And Boost 3 is going to be for your trailers that weigh up to 40% more than the vehicle towing them. Now to adjust the power output we're simply going to press in on the manual sweep and adjust the turn dial on the side. It will go all the way up to 12 for the voltage output. And that's going to be the proportional braking output and power output that it's putting to your trailer brakes. We can adjust that all the way down to 0 if we wish. We let out on that manual sweep.
This manual sweep is going to be for emergency purposes but it's also used to set it up. So, as we press that in, it's going to proportionally brake our trailer all the way up to 6 because that's where we set it at. We go all the way up to 12 as you see us bring it across it's going to go all the way up to 12. So now that we've gone over the features and the functions of our new Tekonsha Primus IQ, let's go ahead and check out just how easy it is to install. Now, we'll go ahead and find our factory plug and we're going to plug in our adapter to. It'll be located just in front of the accelerator pedal up underneath the dash. Go ahead and pull it down so it's a little easier access and a little bit better to see. We'll take our adapter and plug it in until it clicks in place. Now we'll go ahead and put this up underneath the back of our dash zip tied up however we're going to need it to hang so it's a little bit better concealed. Once we have that hooked up, we can then take our Tekonsha Primus IQ and attach it. Line up the adapter and plug it in until it clicks. Once it clicks in place, you'll see the display screen either read NC for not connected or C for connected like it is right now. Let's go ahead and attach it to our permanent bracket. Now keep in mind that you can attach this in multiple locations whether you want it up high or low. Just keep in mind that if you do decide to put it down low that you're going to want to be mindful of your feet and the pedal orientation. And here we have our quick connect bracket. Now again, be mindful of where you mount it. We'll slide in the back first and then push the front up until it clicks in place mounting it up. We're ready to take it out. All we're going to do is pull out on the sides, drop it down, disconnect it and we'll be ready to hit the road. We'll go ahead and take our wires in the back and use zip ties to secure them up behind the dash where they're not going to be in the way of the pedals or any moving components such as your feet or the steering column. And that'll do it for our review and installation of the Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller. Part number TK90160. On our 2016 Ram 1500.
Easy to install and very affordable.
Quick install works Great
Worked great!
easy to install
Just what the doctor ordered. Thanks
The package arrived on time (actually a day early!). It came with the correct Harness. It was easy to install and is working properly!
Great for the price
Ordered as replacement for one that quit after 18 years. New plugged into existing wiring and even fits in existing mounting bracket. So far so good.
was easy to install and works great
Easy to hook up , works flawlessly
Simple hook-up when using the model specific harness.
Easier to install than expected. Works flawlessly
Very easy installation.
Haven't tried it yet but it was very easy to install plug and play if you have tow package already
I went to all my local trailer places, auto parts stores and no one had a clue as to what I needed or how to install a brake controller. U-haul wanted $600 dollars to install a controller.
I visited e-trailer, bought $92, worth of parts, and watched an installation video, and a couple of hours later I was ready to tow.
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