Comparing Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller and Prodigy RF Wireless Controller

Updated 05/04/2020 | Published 03/11/2019

Question:

I am curious if you have any opinion of which controller works best? I have a 2019 Dodge Ram and will be pulling a 7,000 travel trailer. I do not really want to put holes in the dash for an interior unit. I do have a working 7 pin plug on the back. Would you recommend the curt echo or the Prodigy RF brake controller?

asked by: Neil R

Expert Reply:

Performance-wise the Prodigy RF part # 90250 and the Curt Echo part # C51180 are right on par with each other. They are both proportional controllers which means they will sense the amount of braking applied and apply the trailer brakes in an equal amount. The big differences are that the Echo does not permanently install on the trailer like the RF does. It basically just plugs into the 7-way. So an easier install...with the added risk of being easily stolen possible (we've not seen this become an issue at this time though). The Curt Echo does not add anything at all to the interior of your vehicle. You do have to have a smart phone though. So the give and take there is the RF comes with a wireless remote but the Echo requires you to use your phone. That would come down to personal preference.

When it comes to reliability the RF has been around a while and we know it is rock solid. The Curt is pretty new (as of March 2019) so reliability is harder to determine. I will say that in general the Prodigy brake controllers are rock solid and are incredibly reliable. Typically Curt controllers are on the other end of that spectrum. I wouldn't recommend their standard brake controllers to anyone basically.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Cory W.

5/1/2020

I have a 2007 dodge ram 3500 Mega cab. and can not get the Prodigy rf too pair any suggetions.

Chris R.

5/4/2020

There are a few things that seem to work when the Tekonsha RF Controller has trouble pairing with a truck like your Ram 3500. I'm not sure where exactly in the process you getting stuck, but if you're not seeing a display like what the instructions show, try powering through the rest of the steps anyway. Sometimes it just won't display what it's "supposed to" but will still pair perfectly if going through all the steps. If that doesn't help, trying taping off the pin at the 5 o'clock position at the back of the RF, which will just block off this circuit (it's not used for the RF) to avoid any potential interference. Let me know if this doesn't work and we'll go from there.