Recommended Trailer Brake Controller for 2016 Audi Q5 TDI

Updated 03/28/2019 | Published 03/27/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1886)

$289.95

Curt Spectrum Trailer Brake Controller - Dash Mounted Knob - Up to 4 Axles - Proportional

(443)

$269.95

Curt Custom Wiring Adapter for Trailer Brake Controllers - Dual Plug In

(17)

$30.22

Question:

Good morning looking for an after-market trailer brake controller for 2016 Audi Q5 TDI. NO shop in my area Tacoma WA can install one, for ? reason. The car did not have a factory-installed tow package, so a local specialty shop installed an Audi OEM ‘tow package’ with receiver and 7 pin but says they can’t install the brake controller. I see ad for a Curt Triflex 2AW055204A that “plugs into the 4-wire harness under dash”. Q: how do I know if this will work, not knowing whether the ‘4 wire harness’ was installed? Is the Curt C51180 in-line controller synced to an I phone a better after-market choice?

asked by: Breck L

Expert Reply:

If they installed the OEM tow package wiring in your 2016 Qudi Q5 TDI, then there should be the connection under your dash for the wiring harness to be a simple plug and play. The Curt Custom Wiring Adapter for Trailer Brake Controllers # C51522 will have the plug for the factory harness and then you can use the Curt Spectrum # C51170. This proportional controller will have a much cleaner look on your dash so it is what I recommend if you have the plug in harness.

If you don't have the harness under your dash or don't want to mess with any wiring, then the Curt Echo # C51180 is an excellent option. This is the route I'd go because it doesn't require any installation at all, so as long as the trailer only has one or two axles, this will work very well for you and is not something that you need to entrust or pay a shop to install. You can simply keep it in your glove box or console when not in use.

expert reply by: Jason S