Wireless Brake Controller - Curt Echo vs Tekonsha Prodigy RF

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Question:

I am planning to purchase a wireless brake controller for my 2016 Toyota Highlander and Aliner popup camper [GVWR ~3,000]. I have discussed controller options with different dealers and get different opinions as to using the Curt C51180 or the Tekonsha Prodigy RF wireless controller. I am not sure if the Tekonsha is still available. I don’t want to cut into existing wires nor permanently mount the controller on the dash as I will be towing only occasionally. Related, I installed the flat 4-pin but will also need a conversion from flat 4 to round 7 so I can utilize the electric brakes Item # ETBC7L? I’d appreciate your advice on how to best proceed.

asked by: John G

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Expert Reply:

The best option for wireless brake controllers is the Curt Echo # C51180. It is the easiest to plug in and go when you need to use a brake controller with your trailer. Once you have a 7-way connector installed in your vehicle, all you need is to connect the Echo to your vehicle and your trailer connector to the Echo and you are good to go. All the settings can be adjusted from the Echo Smart Control App, so there is no need to add any additional mounts or knobs inside the cab of your vehicle.

The Tekonsha Prodigy RF works similarly, but there are a couple downsides to it that make the Curt Echo a better option. First is that the Prodigy RF requires installation directly on the trailer. This means that if you ever have another trailer that you want to use with your brake controller, you will need to uninstall it from your existing trailer first or purchase another unit. The other downside is that the Prodigy cannot distinguish between hazard lights and brake lights, so if you find yourself needing to use your hazards while towing your trailer, your trailer brakes will pulse with the lights. The Echo has a setting specifically for this problem that prevents trailer brake pulsing while using hazard lights.

Since you only have a 4-way flat connector, you are correct that you need the 7-Way Upgrade Kit # ETBC7L to add a 7-way connector to your vehicle You do have to do a bit of wiring, but if you are comfortable splicing wires, it's really not too difficult of an install. Check out the videos linked below for installation details.

expert reply by: John R

0

John G.

9/21/2020

I am planning to purchase a wireless brake controller for my 2016 Toyota Highlander and Aliner popup camper [GVWR ~3,000]. I have discussed controller options with different dealers and get different opinions as to using the Curt C51180 or the Tekonsha Prodigy RF wireless controller. I am not sure if the Tekonsha is still available. I don’t want to cut into existing wires nor permanently mount the controller on the dash as I will be towing only occasionally. Related, I installed the flat 4-pin but will also need a conversion from flat 4 to round 7 so I can utilize the electric brakes Item # ETBC7L? I’d appreciate your advice on how to best proceed.

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John R.

9/21/2020

The reason the video shows the blue wire (brake controller output) and yellow wire (auxilliary wire for 12V power, reverse lights, or reverse lockout for trailer brakes) being tied off is because they are not needed for use with the Curt Echo. If you were installing a cab-mounted brake controller, you would need the blue wire to run up to the vehicle cab and connect to your brake controller. Since the Curt Echo plugs right into your 7-way connector, it gets its power from there and uses an internal sensor instead of a break output wire. The yellow wire is not needed unless you have a reverse lockout with hydraulic brakes or reverse lights. The 12V power on the 7-way connector will trickle charge your trailer battery when the vehicle is running, but it will not charge a depleted trailer battery. If you would like to charge the battery using the 7-way you would need to add a DC to DC charger like part # 331-BCDC1225D which will completely charge the auxiliary battery from the vehicle's 7-way without overcharging.

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Answer 1

Your 2014 Ram 1500 will have a connector under the driver's side dash that your brake controller will plug right into with an adapter. If you have the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195, for example, you will simply need to use the Custom Wiring Adapter…

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Answer 2

Sure, if you want to install the breakaway kit through the junction box, you would just need to make the connections that would normally run to the wiring harness, into the respective terminals inside the junction box. While we don't have a video…

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Answer 3

If I understand correctly when you hit the brakes in your truck the trailer brakes work fine. Then if you pull the pin on the breakaway switch the trailer brakes do not work and will not work again even using the truck until you put the pin back in…

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Answer 4

A factory 7-way trailer connector isn't all you need to power a trailer's electric brakes. You still need a brake controller. Some Ford F-150s are equipped with a factory integrated brake controller, which you may have. If your 2012 Ford…

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Answer 5

Yes, the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 will fit and work perfectly on your 2019 Ford Ranger. There is not a factory plug-in port beneath the dash of your Ranger for a brake controller but all of the wiring is already ran. There…

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Answer 6

Functionally speaking, there isn't a huge difference. The Curt #C56382 has a slightly lower capacity at 3 amps for circuit for stop/turn signals and 6 amps for taillights. The Tekonsha #118781 has a capacity of 5 amps per stop/turn circuit and…

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Answer 7

The Curt hitch ball #C40007 has a 1" diameter shank. Curt Hitch balls with a 1" shank will use a 1-1/2" wrench for the nut. You would also want to use a 2" wrench for the flats on the base of the ball. We offer the 6-point hex…

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Answer 8

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…

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Answer 9

I have added a photo detailing the wiring connections for the Pollack Heavy-Duty, 7-Pole, Round Pin conncetor, #PK11700, see link. This is a SAE J560 compliant connector. The wiring diagram for the vehicle side connector, #PK11720, is pictured also.…

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Answer 10

When it comes to plugging into the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless brake controller there is a couple different wires you will need. First you will need to install The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector #TK99FR this will…

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Answer 11

You will need to start with a 4-way on your 2009 Toyota Highlander that does not have a converter under the dash. For that you would want the #118449. From there you would need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake…

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Answer 12

Hey Al, Having used both I can confirm that the Big Truck Big RV Tongue Weight Scale w/ Storage Bag for Trailers #BTBRV44FR has been the better choice over the etrailer #e99044. This scale utilizes a different gauge that doesn't seem to have the…

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Wireless Brake Controller - Curt Echo vs Tekonsha Prodigy RF

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