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?

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

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

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

Answer 1

Hey Ken! The correct wiring harness depends on whether or not you have the brake controller port/plug. Some models did not include the plug so you will have to check your 2025 Ranger and see. There should be four wires coming out of a large wire…

view full answer...

Answer 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

Hey Dave, thanks for reaching out! The Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller #C51180 will work with both your Mercedes Sprinter and your Tacoma as long as they have an active 12V power pin and stop/turn pins on the 7-Way. I'm not sure why we have…

view full answer...

Answer 6

The Curt Echo Brake Controller part #C51180 will require a 7-way trailer connector for operation so if you only have a 4-way trailer connector then you can use the 4 to 7-Way with 4-Way Adapter part #ETBC7L to convert what you have. The only wires…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Hey Jeanie, The reviews aren't false, the app that allows you to adjust your brake settings on the Curt Echo #C51180 has been having a lot of issues pairing to the phone. With you having the tow package you really should just get a dash mounted…

view full answer...

Answer 8

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 9

We have actually run into this issue quite a few times in the past, and there is a simple fix. The reason the Curt Echo Wireless #C51180 locks up the brakes on your camper only at low speeds is due to it being paired incorrectly, usually plugging in…

view full answer...

Answer 10

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 11

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 12

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...

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

Products Featured in This Question

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching