Recommended Wireless Brake Controller for Easy Towing of Trailers Without Physical Mounting Required

Question

Question:

This is more of a philosophical question than practical... but maybe it could be helpful. I don’t know. I like these brake controllers because they allow so much flexibility and are so quick to install for any tow vehicle. They aren’t an “investment” in the vehicle, many of which at quite involved to install. The simple 12 v power plus a 4-pin connector is really al that’s needed. Many vehicles just have a 4-pin, and this is a quick and easy way to upgrade to a 7 with a brake controller. But do I “need” to mount the TK94FR on the trailer? What if I often rent or borrow trailers with electric brakes? Could I possibly mount the TK94FR in my truck bed for a faster hookup? Thank you!

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # TK94FR must be mounted to the trailer in a certain way in order to function correctly. It cannot be connected to the tow vehicle.

A better option for you is the new Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # C51180 which is designed to be used on the vehicle side and can easily stow in your glove box when not in use. It utilizes Bluetooth for the remote function utilizing a downloadable app. Once paired and set, the phone or tablet is not required for use of the controller except for the manual override feature as the controller stores the last setting used, so if the battery on your device fails you are still able to use all the other features and the controller will still work.

I've attached installation videos to assist. Let me know if you have further questions.

expert reply by: Jason S

0

Tim

2/26/2020

I have a 2019 RAV4 hybrid. It can tow a trailer up to 1,750. The dry wt of our camper trailer w/o fluids or gear is 1,690. The trailer has electric brakes. It has been recommended to install a wireless remote and to change the 4pin connect to a 7 pin connect using only 4 pins for the lights and 1 pin to charge the RV battery. HOW SAFE ARE THE REMOTES LIKE THE THE TEK PROD rf #90250 AND WILL IT MESS UP MY CARS ELECTRONICS OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM?

Reply

Jacob H.

2/26/2020

You will need to wire your camper to supply your trailer with breaks. I recommend adding a 7 pole plug on the back of the vehicle with a brake wire and a charge line. This will give you the stopping power that you will need when pulling a trailer that weighs as much as 1,690 lbs with your Toyota RAV4. You will need to wire up a Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller # ETBC7 and a brake controller. We have many different brake controllers available but my go-to is always the Tekonsha P3. I have linked a video showing how to wire up a ETBC7 in a 2011 Toyota RAV4 and it will wire very similarly to your 2019 RAV4. It should have no effect on your electronics in your vehicle.

Helpful Links

Accessories-and-Parts/etrailer/ETBC7.html

Brake-Controller/Toyota/RAV4/2019/90195.html

tv-install-brake-controller-2011-toyota-rav4-90885.aspx

Reply

Tim

2/26/2020

Thanks Jacob, The problem is that it is a hybrid. Toyota has so many safety systems that it is not possible to hard wire a 7pole plug to operate the electric trailer brakes. Our dealership has tried and it resulted in major electrical problems. That is why they suggested a remote device like the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Electronic Brake Control #90250. It is not possible to hardwire the brakes to a hybrid system. HOW SAFE ARE THE REMOTES LIKE THE THE TEK PROD rf #90250 AND WILL IT MESS UP MY CARS ELECTRONICS OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM? Thanks

Reply

Chris R.

2/26/2020

Wireless controllers like the Prodigy RF (which actually is no longer available) and the Curt Echo # C51180 won't have any effect on your Hybrid's electrical system. The Echo will simply plug into the new 7-Way on your RAV4 and uses only the 12V power circuit for operation. It then pairs to your smart phone via Bluetooth (so you can adjust settings, activate the emergency brake, etc) and simply sends back power to the trailer brakes based on deceleration. It's totally independent from your RAV4 except for the power it needs from the 12V pin that's wired up to the battery. I really like the Echo and it's extremely reliable. To upgrade your 4-Way you can use # ETBC7L, which includes just the wiring needed to activate that 12V circuit.

Helpful Links

Accessories-and-Parts/etrailer/ETBC7L.html

Brake-Controller/Curt/C51180.html

Reply

Answer 1

Hey David, so the frequency of the Tekonsha RF brake controller part #TK94FR is 3.2 GHz which is basically a radio frequency. We've found this has great range and would work well on an RV setup like what you have as well.

view full answer...

Answer 2

There are a couple things you can check to get the brake controller working with your gooseneck. First you want to make sure the 7-way trailer connector is working correctly on your tow vehicle. Per the instructions Some factory wired tow vehicles…

view full answer...

Answer 3

If you have the 7-pin heavy duty connector, you need to make sure the brake controller is on the center pin and not the 5 o'clock position like the 7-way RV standard. The 7-pin and the 7-blade have different locations for functions, that your…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Hey Brandon, I would strongly recommend sticking with the Tekonsha RF brake controller part #TK94FR. We know this works really well and it sounds like it worked well for you too. The Curt Echo is not reliable enough for me to really ever recommend it…

view full answer...

Answer 5

As long as the app for the Curt Echo #C51180 is running in the background of your phone the manual override part #C83HR is going to work. It would require you killing the app for it to stop working.

view full answer...

Answer 6

Hey Mike, thanks for reaching out! It sounds like your 2025 Toyota Sienna doesn't have any wiring at the back so you'll need to install the T-One Wiring Harness #TK69FR along with the Universal Wiring Kit #ETBC7. This will give you all of the…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Since both hitches are rated for higher than the capacity of your 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee the capacity really isn't as important of a factor. The smaller factors like the length of the receiver tube and how the safety chain loops sit would be…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Hey Ray, so we have the part #18159 which would work great to secure the 7-way of the #ETBC7L that you'll be installing with the Curt Echo #C51180. It's also pretty easy to install too.

view full answer...

Answer 9

The Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional #TK94FR will still allow your trailer battery to receive a maintenance charge while connected. It is true that the brake controller will draw power from the 12V…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The stop light switch wiring is located behind your brake pedal on your 2017 GMC Acadia. See the picture for a visual. If you are having trouble locating the wire you can use a Circuit Tester #PTW2993 to find out which wire sends a signal when the…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Thanks for the photo and good information! The Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller #C51170 doesn't come with a universal pigtail but that can be acquired with part #C51515. Then all you need to do is match the following wires from the pigtail…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Hey Martin, it looks like the Curt Spectrum #C51170 is a universal part so it actually does not have a custom wiring harness. This brake controller is compatible with up to 4 axles, is assembled in the USA, and is compatible with ABS brakes, cruise…

view full answer...

Recommended Wireless Brake Controller for Easy Towing of Trailers Without Physical Mounting Required

Products Featured in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching