Which Wireless Trailer Brake Controller Is Best

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Question:

Hello, I have a 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription and I’ve been using the Tekonsha Prodigy RF 90250, which uses radio frequency. I’ve had great success for past 6 years of towing but recently my Tekonsha unit broke due to user error so I’m in the market for a new brake controller. I see three options: 1 Replace with the Prodigy RF that now uses Bluetooth, 2 Try Curt 51180 Echo, or 3 Autowbrake Part Number: 3430001. My concern with all of these is the use of Bluetooth vs radio as Radio generally has a stronger and longer range than BT. Can you highlight any major differences I should consider between these 3? Which one do you recommend? Lastly, I see that Curt makes a True Course Trailer Sway Control Part Number: C94VV. Can this be used with the 3 brake controllers above? I’d assume for the Tekonsha and Curt controllers you plug trailer 7-way into the Sway control and then the Sway control 7-way into the brake controller, is that right? I was driving in wind today and didn’t like how much I was swaying, especially with Semis going by. Will this help?

asked by: Brandon Y

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Expert Reply:

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 for anyone. The Autowbrake part # 3430001 is a really solid option too but the overall feedback we've gotten is that the RF is best overall.

The Curt Truu Course part # C94VV is perfectly compatible with all of the mentioned controllers.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Brandon Y.

4/29/2025

Can you say more about reliability issues with the Echo? My local trailer store highly recommends so I’m confused.

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Jameson C.

4/29/2025

@BrandonY The big one right now is the app changed and many people were having a really hard time connecting their phone to it after making the update. Maybe it's better now but it was pretty bad there for a bit and it soured my perception of it.

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Brandon Y.

4/29/2025

@JamesonC thank you that ms very helpful! I purchased the Tekonsha! Can you tell me a bit more about the Curt True Course Advanced? Like if it seems to actually help with sway and how it accomplishes this? Does it have good reviews and seem like a good product?

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Jameson C.

4/29/2025

@BrandonY It does a great job. Basically what it does is use internal sensors to detect any trailer sway and then it lightly grabs the brakes of the trailer to straighten it out and stop the sway. It does have solid reviews and it is a good product.

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See All (9) Replies to Brandon Y. ∨

Answer 1

Hey Todd. The Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller item #TK94FR will indeed work with the factory 7-Way connector on your 2022 Mercedes GLS. The only issue you may encounter is if your trailer has LED lights. If so you'll also need the…

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Answer 2

Hey Jon, sorry to hear about the issues you had with the Curt Echo #C51180. The feedback we've gotten on the Tekonsha RF part #TK94FR is that it works really well and there's no delay. The Echo hasn't been super reliable in a few ways so…

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Answer 3

Hey Brian! There are actually a lot of options you can use. The DA91 has a lot of variants from its connection at the frame, the finish, the style of coupler, to how it attaches to your trailer (a frame and channel mount). For example coupler part…

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Answer 4

I can honestly say that both the Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller #3430001 and the Tekonsha Prodigy RF are both great controllers. I think you will be happy with either of them on your 7K horse trailer. The only reason we currently do not have…

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Answer 5

Hello Darcy, thanks for reaching out. If you cannot use a WD hitch, the Friction Sway Control Kits like the Reese #83660 and the Curt #C17200 are one option for controlling sway. The downside of these is you cannot back up, so you would have to…

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Answer 6

Hey Ryan, welcome back! A brake controller will cover anything with brakes and then you will also need a ball mount. The #C57DR you were looking at will work, but you don't really need all of that. The sway bar would be a permanent addition to a…

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Answer 7

Hey Brandon, thanks for reaching out! The brake controller plug for your 2025 Ram 1500 is under the dash to the right of your steering column, according to the installation instructions for the Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller w/ Custom…

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Answer 8

The trailer hitch that I recommend for a 2020 Ford Ranger is the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13417 which is a custom bolt-on fit that does not require any cutting or drilling. The process should actually only take you around 20 to 40 minutes.…

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Answer 9

The Autowbrake brake controller part #3430001 that you referenced draws up to 15 amps. It's only going to draw amperage when the controller is activating the trailer brake so it would not be something you'd need to install an on/off switch on…

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Answer 10

I am not sure of the particular video you are referring to, but if your 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is equipped with the 7-Way connector, then installing a trailer brake controller is a simple, plug-and-play installation. For this application, you…

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Answer 11

We can get you everything you need for towing with your 2017 Toyota Sienna XLE. By plastic shield, I believe you are referring to the appearance panel underneath the Sienna, and that will have to trimmed a bit in each of the hitches available for the…

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Answer 12

You're right, the mounting bracket is unique (in a good way) for the Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller #C24VV. The bracket is smaller and all you do is put the included adhesive tape on the bracket and stick it wherever you like under…

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Which Wireless Trailer Brake Controller Is Best

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