Wireless Brake Controller Recommendation for a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The brake controller that I recommend for you is the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller, # TK94FR. This brake controller does not require any splicing or dismantling of the vehicle to install. I am not aware of any plug-in style harnesses for wired brake controllers for the 2012 Volkswagen Toureg, which means they typically have to be hardwired.

The Prodigy RF mounts on the tongue of your trailer and uses a handheld remote that only requires a 12 volt accessory outlet to work. I have attached the installation instructions as well as an installation video of the Prodigy RF for you to check out.

The Prodigy RF does require an active 12-volt hot lead on your trailer connector to work. If you are unsure if there is a 12-volt hot lead, you can use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the pin in the 1 o'clock position on your 7-way connector (see photo).

One thing to keep in mind, many of the newer European models have a bulb out sensor that runs through the trailer connector. This sensor sends test pulses on the tail light circuits to tell the vehicle if a light is out on the trailer and this test pulse can interfere with the pairing of the RF. If your Touareg has the bulb out sensor through the trailer connector, I recommend pairing the RF with a second vehicle first. To pair the RF with a second vehicle, follow these steps -

1. Connect the RF to the 2nd vehicle, do not plug the trailer into the RF
2. Plug the hand held remote into the 12 volt accessory outlet
3. Turn the gain to minimum by rolling the power wheel towards the cord of the hand held. The disply may show just a flashing NC - not the 0.0 per the instructions.
4. Press and hold both the boost and manual buttons at the same time. The display will start counting down from P5 to PA.
5. When the display shows PA, release both buttons and apply the brake pedal within ONE second. The display should change to a flashing 0.0. The control is now paired.

expert reply by: John H

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Terri P.

10/4/2013

We bought the model you suggested and watched the videos so feel confident in that. NOW the question is where to mount it on the Airstream 19 foot Bambi. The Tongue has an antisway bar hookup which leaves no room for mounting. The body of the Airstream is not flat but beautifully curved, which does not allow mounting. We thought of putting the box on the front of the canister that holds the two propane tanks which is flat but the metal is somewhat flimsy. Do you have any suggestions? Due to the anti sway bars on our 19 foot Airstream Bambi there is not any room to mount the brake controller and plug in the 7 prong plug at the same time. We CAN fit the brake controller box on if we tilt it slightly up, toward the VW Touareg. Three of the four bolts would make contact and we could secure it tightly with velcro strips. Is there any problem with the box NOT being level? Will it still work correctly? Thank you.

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John H.

10/4/2013

The preferred mounting location for the RF is on the tongue of the trailer, either on the inside or outside of the frame. I do not recommend tilting the RF upward because it must be within +/-5 degrees of level when it is mounted. I have attached a photo from the installation instructions that give alternate mounting location. If you have room on the inside of the tongue rails, that would be the next best location. In some cases, a mounting location must be fabricated by welding or drilling a platform for the brake controller unit. My contact at Tekonsha told me that there have been some instances where customers have had a metal plate welded to the tube of the jack to mount the brake controller.

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