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  1. Trailer Brake Controller
  2. Tekonsha
  3. Electric
  4. Proportional Controller
  5. Up to 3 Axles
  6. Under-Dash
Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional
Tekonsha

Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

Part Number: TK90160
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$105.73
Retail:$150.00
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Trailer Brake Controller
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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. Great Prices for the best trailer brake controller from Tekonsha. Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional part number TK90160 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller - TK90160

  • Electric
  • Proportional Controller
  • Up to 3 Axles
  • Tekonsha
  • Under-Dash
  • Under-Dash Box
  • Splice-In
  • LED Display
  • Single Trailer Only

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:

  • Brake controller activates trailer brakes in proportion to your vehicle's braking action
    • Automatically adjusts trailer's braking based on deceleration of tow vehicle
  • Straight-forward controls keep settings within easy reach
    • Gain setting lets you adjust the amount of power sent to the trailer's brakes
    • 3 Boost levels let you adjust initial braking power and aggressiveness
    • Slide-bar manual override allows you to control trailer sway or stop in emergencies
  • LED display shows your current settings and diagnostic information
  • Built-in safeguards protect your vehicle, trailer, and the controller
    • Runs continuous diagnostic checks to alert you to any potential problems
    • Minimizes drain on car battery when not in use
    • Prevents trailer brakes from overheating by reducing power output to them during prolonged stops
  • Quick-disconnect feature lets you easily remove and store the controller when not in use
    • Replacement wiring harness (sold separately) and replacement bracket (6927 - sold separately) required to swap controller between vehicles
  • Easy installation with automatic leveling
    • Position anywhere from -90 degrees to 90 degrees up and down
    • Controller must be parallel with direction of travel and horizontally level
    • Included harness hardwires to vehicle and plugs into controller
    • Plug-in, vehicle-specific adapter (sold separately) available for select vehicles to reduce installation time
    • Mounting bracket and hardware included


Specs:

  • Application: trailers with up to 3 axles (6 brake assemblies)
    • Compatible with electric brakes only
  • Dimensions: 5" long x 4-3/8" wide x 2-1/2" tall
  • Mounting range: between -90 degrees and 90 degrees vertically
  • Limited lifetime warranty


Gain Power Adjustment

Tekonsha Primus IQ Gain

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.


Power Boost for Heavy-Duty Towing

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.


Slide-Bar Manual Override

Tekonsha Primus IQ Manual Override

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.


Quick, Simple Installation

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, hardwire one end of the included pigtail harness directly into your vehicle. The other end 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.


Installation Accessories

See 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


Note: If a custom brake control wiring adapter is not available for your vehicle, one of the following will be required:

  • 20-Amp circuit breaker (9506P - sold separately) for 2- to 4-brake applications
  • 30-Amp circuit breaker (38630 - sold separately) for 6- to 8-brake applications

Proportional Braking

What is proportional Braking

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.



90160 Tekonsha Primus I-Q Proportional Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles

39528 Hidden Hitch Proportional Brake Control

20191 Draw-Tite I-Stop IQ Proportional Brake Control

Installation Details TK90160 Installation instructions


California residents: click here


Customer Satisfaction Score:

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

2126 reviews
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.

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Easy to install and very affordable.



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Quick install works Great



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Worked great!



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easy to install



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Just what the doctor ordered. Thanks



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The package arrived on time (actually a day early!). It came with the correct Harness. It was easy to install and is working properly!



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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.



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Simple hook-up when using the model specific harness.



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Such an easy install. The connector for my truck was right by the emergency brake. The custom harness worked like a charm. The length of the harness was just about perfect. I mounted mine right under my start button in a Nissan 25 Frontier. I used two-sided 3M Contruction tape to hold mount up. I used the plastic mount and I like how it snaps in place and has three positionsI used # 8 Tek screws and did not use the screws that came in the package. I think the hardest part was getting the red backing off the double-sided tape. I can see the controller from the driver's seat, and it does not interfere with my right leg and using the gas pedal. I am very happy with my install. I am very happy with the service I received from etrailer. I have had my 25 Nissan Frontier for a month and this is the second time that I ordered from etrailer. Everything was shipped fast and packed very well.



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Controller is great, and works very well.



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15 minute install



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Install was easy



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As Advertised, they filled order quickly and shipped it out.



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great controlerworks perfect all the time



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Product work as promised setup was a snap



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easy install and lots of help online , looks good and works good.



by:

I recieved my order in 4days and the product was exactly what I expected.



by:

First class product etrailer first class also


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Show More Reviews

See what our Experts say about this Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller

  • Should Numbers on Tekonsha Primus IQ Show Up When Trailer isn't Connected
    The Tekonsha Primus IQ # TK90160 only shows a number on the display when the brakes are applied if a trailer is connected and the brakes are being applied. Without a trailer connected a number would not show up. You might try connecting to a trailer and you should see the numbers show up.
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  • Converting a 4-Way Trailer Connector to a 7-Way on a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
    The # 30717 is exactly what you're looking for as long as you don't need the 7-way to supply anything other than lights on the trailer. You just plug the 4-ways together, connect the white ground wire to the vehicle's frame using the included screw, and cap off the other wires. If you need the other functions of the 7-way, such as if the trailer has electric brakes or needs a constant 12-volts for power, the instead your best option is our # ETBC7 kit. This kit includes the adapter similar...
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  • Brake Controller Plug Location on 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    The factory brake controller connector on your 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is located under the dash behind the hood latch, as shown in the provided photo. Keep in mind, the connector will only be there if the vehicle has the factory tow package which includes the 7-way trailer connector at the rear bumper. If you have the tow package, to install the Tekonsha # TK90160 Primus brake controller on your 2021 Grand Cherokee you'll need the Tekonsha # TK93VR wiring harness. One end plugs into...
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  • Troubleshooting Primus IQ Brake Controller that Shows N.C. on Display
    There are 4 possible reasons why the Tekonsha Primus, # TK90160, is telling you N.C. 1. Trailer not connected to tow vehicle. 2. Trailer connected with open circuit on brake line. 3. Trailer connector disconnected or corroded. 4. Loss of trailer brake magnet ground. The first one is easy enough to solve so we will go on to the second possible issue. An open circuit on the brake line or a short to the brake circuit could be caused by a couple of different issues. First, it is possible...
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  • Troubleshooting a Tekonsha Primus Brake Controller Displaying 0.0 and Not Braking
    It sounds like there might be some other fuses that could have blown, or there are some shorts on your brake controller/7-way circuits. It is hard to know exactly where the problem lies, but the first thing I would check would be to test the manual override lever when the trailer is connected and see if it will apply the trailer brakes. If it does have voltage then I would check to make sure brake switch circuit (red wire) sees voltage when the brakes are applied. If not, then you have...
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  • Does a Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Controller Need to be Removed when Not In Use
    As long as it's not in the way for your daily vehicle use you will be just fine to leave your Primus IQ brake controller part # TK90160 installed all the time as that is what nearly everyone does with their controllers. Now if the controller is getting in the way and you are banging your leg on it or you just don't like it sitting there you could easily unplug it and store it till you need it.
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  • How To Tell If a Ford Transit Has the Tow Package and Parts Needed To Add It
    The Ford Transit if equipped with the factory tow package would have came with both a trailer hitch and trailer connector and they would both be located directly under the rear bumper so odds are you do not have either because they are not hard to locate. The factory tow package was also not a very common option but I can provide you with everything to add this on your own at a fraction of the price. The Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 75912 is a confirmed fit for a 2015...
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  • Identifying Tekonsha Brake Controller that has Number N26802
    Sounds like you have a Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller part # TK90160. I attached a link to this page that has the owners manual/install instructions and then for a replacement wiring harness you'd want the part # 20127.
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  • Troubleshooting Weak Trailer Brakes That Won't Lock Up with Override Lever of Controller Slid
    This could be a magnet wiring problem. It is unlikely that the magnets are bad on newer assemblies, but if the wiring is not properly connected, it could cause problems. Check to see that the magnets are properly grounded to a clean, bare metal surface free of corrosion. A bad ground would not allow the circuit to be complete and lead to the brakes not performing like they should. I also recommend checking the trailer side connector ground and the vehicle side connector ground. Another...
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    If you click on the link that I have provided for the installation instructions, you can see the troubleshooting chart just below the installation details. The SH code that you see on your Tekonsha PRIMUS IQ brake controller indicates there is a short somewhere on the brake output circuit when idle, or when the brake pedal is not being pressed. Tekonsha states that this issue can sometimes be caused by some test lights if you are using test lights. To troubleshoot this issue, start by...
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  • Primus IQ Brake Controller Wiring Functions
    The Primus IQ # TK90160 doesn't have instructions that come with a wiring diagram, but we have a picture/diagram on our site that shows which wires are connected to which functions on your vehicle. I attached the diagram for you to view, the wires will be connected as follows: White - Ground Black - 12V Power Blue - To 7-Way at rear of vehicle Red - Cold side of stop light switch If you are needing a new pigtail for your Primus IQ it is part # 7894. This same harness will work with most...
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  • Instructions Manual for Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller
    I have attached the complete written manual below for the Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller # TK90160 that you can use for reference. As long as everything is wired correctly the brake controller should detect your Cougar Camper as soon as you connect the 7-Way on your F-150 to the 7-Way on the trailer. Please just let me know if you have any other specific questions or issues regarding the Primus IQ and I will be happy to help!
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  • What Do the Codes Displayed on the Primus IQ Mean
    After installing your Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller # TK90160 you should see the following two-digit display: n.c. which means "power to brake controller without trailer connected." This displays for 15 seconds then changes to two dots ( . . ) With the trailer connected you will see .c displayed which means "boost feature not engaged," or .c. for "boost feature engaged." A display of b.1, b.2, or b.3 shows the boost level setting. See the chart at right of typical boost settings. A...
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  • Troubleshooting an SH Code on the Tekonsha PRIMUS IQ Electronic Brake Controller # TK90160
    If you click on the link that I have provided for the installation instructions, you can see the troubleshooting chart just below the installation details. The SH code that you see on your Tekonsha PRIMUS IQ brake controller indicates there is a short somewhere on the brake output circuit when idle, or when the brake pedal is not being pressed. Tekonsha states that this issue can sometimes be caused by some test lights if you are using test lights. To troubleshoot this issue, start by...
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  • Troubleshooting Pre-Collision System Malfunction with Primus IQ Installed on a 2017 Highlander
    I spoke with my contact at Tekonsha who knew exactly what you were talking about. He said that the best solution for installing a brake controller like the Primus IQ # TK90160 in your 2017 Toyota Highlander is to install a diode on the red wire of the wiring harness for the Primus IQ. This is the wire that connects to the cold side of the stop light switch. To prevent the 12V from backfeeding into your Pre-Collision System he recommended using a diode rated for 1 amp. These are not very...
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  • Location of Tow Package Fuses on 2016 Jeep Cherokee
    If so equipped, the collective of circuits that make up the tow package is protected by 6 different fuses that protect the various circuits. The fuses are located in the power distribution center located in the engine compartment near the battery. Here is a listing of the fuses, their respective amperage and their locations. The cover of the distribution box will have a label on it showing which fuse is located where. - Trailer Running Lamps, Location F40 30A Pink - 12V Feed to Trailer...
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    Hey Bill, You can absolutely use your Primus IQ on your 2023 Ford Ranger! The installation will be a bit different, since there is not a plug and play adapter for your vehicle it will need to be spliced in. If you do not have the universal harness it came with originally we do have a replacement, # 20127. This would just plug into the back of the controller and then splice into the vehicle. For your Ford Ranger, the 4 flat plug that is on it would be considered "without a factory tow...
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  • Parts Needed to Tow a Trailer with Brakes Using a 2006 Dodge Durango
    I was not able to locate an exact towing capacity for your 2006 Dodge Durango online but I do have a way for you to determine this. What you are going to want to do is open the driver door and look for a white info tag which will display both the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the gross combined weight rating (GCWR). If you take the GVWR and subtract that from the GCWR that will then give you your maximum towing capacity. Assuming the gross trailer weight (GTW) is within the maximum...
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  • Troubleshooting a Tekonsha Primus Brake Controller That Does Not Work When the Brakes are Pressed
    Hey Joseph, so it sounds like there is an issue with the brake switch circuit which is what actually tells the brakes to activate. This should be a red wire coming out of the controller, and you're going to want to make sure that it is connected to a circuit that only sees power when the brakes are activated. You might also have a blown fuse, so I'd recommend checking that as well. I have attached a FAQ tht you can check out to help you troubleshoot a bit further.
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    Hey James, Here are the parts you need to completely redo the wiring on your 2004 Dodge Ram: - Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat # C59496 - Universal Installation Kit # ETBC7 The Curt kit gives you the basic light functions while the ETBC7 kit gives you the rest of the parts and wiring needed for a full functional 7-Way, including all of the wiring needed to run to your cab for a brake controller. If you don't have a brake controller yet (or you want to replace what...
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  • Troubleshooting Primus IQ # TK90160 Output Reading 00.0
    It sounds like you are testing the Tekonsha Primus IQ # TK90160 with the brake pedal in your vehicle. Since the Primus IQ is a proportional brake controller that senses how much your vehicle is decelerating it will not be sending out power to your trailer when you are sitting still. To ensure that power is getting back to your trailer brakes what you need to do is set the power output on the brake controller to max and then use the manual override lever to send power back to the brakes....
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  • Replacement Brake Controller for Primus IQ That Developed Internal Short
    Yes the controller does sound like it has an internal problem that is not repairable and would be time to replace the entire thing. The Brake EVN # TK63VR would be a great option to replace with as it's a proportional brake controller that's a little more advanced and is very reliable. It would plug right into the same connector as well.
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  • Plug In Adapter For Tekonsha Primus 90160 In A 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500
    Yes we do! You can use the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter # 3016. This will allow you to plug the Tekonsha Primus # TK90160 directly into the factory brake control port in your 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500. I have linked our install video for you below.
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