Which Wireless Trailer Brake Controller Is Best

Question

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

0

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

0

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.

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.

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?

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.

See All (9) Replies to Brandon Y. ∨

Answer 1

Hey Jeff! Your thinking is mostly correct. The Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller #3430001 mounts on the trailer and uses your vehicle's brake light signal from the 4-way to know when you're braking. However, it also needs a constant…

view full answer...

Answer 2

Hey Gregg! The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED22NR comes with the brake controller and custom wiring harness for your 2026 Wrangler. However, you will also need the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit #RM-751490 to complete the installation. There are no…

view full answer...

Answer 3

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…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Hi James! With your GVWR being 7,600 pounds, your loaded tongue weight should be around 760 pounds. With that said, I recommend going with the Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 2" Shank - 6" Drop - 8.5K GTW, 850 lbs TW…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Hey Kyle, congrats on the new SUV! I am a big fan of the Redarc brake controllers for the exact same reason. The Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item #ETBC7 plugs directly into your 4-way connector and requires you to run a…

view full answer...

Answer 6

If you installed the Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller #3430001 on a trailer it would not allow the vehicle's brake controller to activate the brakes since that circuit would not run to the tow vehicle at all anymore and would only run to the…

view full answer...

Answer 7

There are a couple things you'll need in order to add a trailer brake controller to your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'm going to assume you do not have the wiring, so you'll need to add a 7-way to your Jeep to control the trailer brakes.…

view full answer...

Answer 8

In order to actuate the trailer brakes, you'd need a brake controller installed in the vehicle and a 6 or 7-way trailer connector. A 4 pole flat wiring harness like the #18002 you'd looked at carries 4 circuits- right turn/brake lamp, left…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Hey Steve. The 12.5K Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch item #WS94RR is going to be the best option for your Jayco trailer. You've done your homework well and with the range of 760 lbs - 1,160 lbs tongue you are not going to want to go…

view full answer...

Answer 10

I looked up the a few pictures of the interior of your 2015 Honda Pilot, and I recommend mounting the control knob of the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED24FR to one of the blank switch knockouts on the left side of the steering wheel, similar to this…

view full answer...

Answer 11

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…

view full answer...

Answer 12

The only trailer brake controller options we offer for a 2019 Ford Ranger are wireless since there is no trailer brake controller plug under the dash. I recommend the Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller part #C51180 which you will control and setup…

view full answer...

Which Wireless Trailer Brake Controller Is Best

Products Featured in This Question

Continue Researching