Mounting the Autowbrake to a Cargo Rack Above the Trailer Frame

Updated 09/26/2019 | Published 09/24/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller - Trailer Mount w/ Remote Fob - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(111)

$479.99

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

(1803)

$289.95

Question:

I have a cargo rack mounted on my trailer tongue which is about 3 feet above the frame. Can I mount the controller to the rack? My Blue OX hitch will not allow mounting to tongue frame.

asked by: Marc A

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but I spoke with my contact over at Autowbrake and they expressed some concern that mounting this on a cargo rack might not provide the most stable mounting point for an Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller # 3430001. If this cargo rack moves around at all with the sway of the trailer, it's going to cause some brake pulsing that will be troublesome. If the rack is secured by 4 legs and doesn't move around on the front of the trailer tongue, you may be able to make this work, but it's not the recommended mounting position. If your Blue Ox Weight Distribution hitch doesn't provide you with space on the outside of the trailer frame, you might have luck mounting the controller on the inside of the frame (see the attached picture).

If you can provide me with a photo of your cargo rack and how it sits on your trailer, I can provide you with a bit more certainty to my answer to whether your cargo rack is an option; but as I'm picturing this, it doesn't seem like the best solution.

The best solution for this problem, if you've got 1-2 axles on your trailer, would be going with the Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller # C51180 . The Curt Echo plugs into your vehicle's 7 way connector and doesn't require anything be mounted on the trailer frame. This brake controller is wireless and controlled by your Android or iOS smartphone.

expert reply by: Erik B