Will Curt Echo Brake Controller Work if Phone Left Behind or Loses Power

Updated 03/30/2019 | Published 03/29/2019

Question:

I own a 2009 Casita Spirit Deluxe trailer and am replacing my tow vehicle, a 2006 Grand Caravan that has many after market pieces. My new vehicle of choice is a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee but unlike the 2019 Dodge Durango which I have also been considering, the Jeep doesnt have a brake controller. I dread aftermarket installation risk so Im looking at this wireless controller weighing into my vehicle purchase decision. My concern with the Echo: once I program it with my phone will it stay in that mode without the phone? e.g. Suppose I left my iPhone in a restaurant, hopped in my vehicle, and drove down the mountain. Will the brake controller behave properly or go brain dead without the constant presence of the phone. I had little need to pay attention to my old controller except when I bumped it with my knee. Id like to have a new controller which needs no more attention than that, hopefully less. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Sharon

Expert Reply:

The Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller # C51180 is quickly becoming one of our most popular units in part because of exactly what you mentioned in your question. Its simple installation process of plugging right into a tow vehicle 7-Way and pairing with the driver's smartphone via Bluetooth provides a welcome alternative to most other traditional brake controller installs.

A great thing about this controller is that it will continue to work perfectly (under its last used settings) even if your phone gets left behind or even runs out of juice during those longer road trips. It will still send power back to the trailer brakes in proportion to the deceleration of your tow vehicle without issue. Obviously you wouldn't be able to adjust any settings or activate the manual override when this happens but the actual function/performance of the controller will not be affected. We have confirmed this with Curt.

This is a great brake controller and a perfect option for your new tow vehicle, one that will also prevent any more knee contusions since it eliminates the need for an additional unit mounted in the cab. I have attached a short video demonstration that you can check out as well.

expert reply by: Chris R