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Brake Controller for 2021 Volkswagen Atlas With Tow Package  

Updated 08/10/2025 | Published 08/04/2025

Question:

Hi there! I recently got a 2021 VW Atlas with the v6 and I’m looking to potentially tow some things with it. I’ve got a project car coming my way soon and I may need to trailer it at some point, but I’m definitely thinking of other light duty things like tear campers as well. What would I actually need in order to tow that kind of gear with my Atlas? It is all wheel drive and did come with the factory tow package, so I think it’s pre-wired for a brake controller. I’m not too worried about the towing capacity, I don’t plan on getting near the 5,000 lb mark unless I do end up trailering the car, but the car weighs less than 3,000 lbs. Thank you!

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2021 VW Atlas
2021 VW Atlas
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

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 single trailer so it wouldn't work on anything else you may tow later on.

The Echo is convenient, but a lot of people have issues with the app so I don't really recommend it anymore. Nothing would be more frustrating then trying to get on the road and that app doesn't want to work right/connect.

Instead, I recommend the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller # RED24FR. This is simple, reliable, and won't take up space in the cab of your new vehicle. It is a permanent installation, but the main unit installs behind the dash so only the control knob is visible. This also gives it an OEM look. Redarc doesn't have a wiring harness for your factory port but you can use the Curt # C29JR along with the adapter # 331-TPH-019 to make it plug and play.

You can still pick up the Curt RockerBall Anti-Rattle Towing Kit # C63KR if you want that ball mount. We also have the etrailer Adjustable 2-Ball Mount # e66PR you might be interested in. This comes with a 2" and 2-5/16" ball plus it is adjustable so you can keep your setup level with a variety of trailers. If you want an anti-rattle as well I recommend the # e38FV.

What is your project car?

expert reply by:
0
Robin H
Ryan H. profile picture

Ryan H.

8/5/2025

Hey Robin, Thanks for the quick response! Something along the lines of the Redarc controller definitely sounds more like what I’m looking for since I don’t really want a whole trailer specific setup, but I don’t think I would want any permanent visible modifications to the dash though. Is there one that I could relatively easily install and uninstall each time I would need to tow something? The project car is an old 1983 Porsche 928S I’ll be taking over for my dad, he’s getting a little too stiff in the joints to finish it up so he’s trailering it up to me in September. Theoretically it should have everything to get running, but I’m pretty skeptical to see how that plays out in reality, haha! Thanks again!

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Robin H. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Robin H.

8/5/2025

@RyanH wow that sounds like an awesome project for sure! Hopefully it brings you joy and not frustration. The hole is small on the Liberty, and the knob is hardly noticeable once you get it in there so I would still consider it. It can also be installed virtually anywhere. Take a look through our pictures on the product page and you will see a lot of examples. If you're worried about when you eventually sell the vehicle I would leave it in there and nobody will think anything of it. Your more traditional brake controllers are removeable, but they mount using a bracket so you still have some holes plus a bracket sitting there. You pretty much have to have a way of securing it so it isn't sliding around while driving and reads the deceleration properly. They can also really be in the way depending on how much room you have under the dash. The Tow-Pro Link # RED57AR is an option that won't be seen at all, but it is quite a bit more expensive. This installs in-line at the back of your 7-way via the USCAR connector but you would need to make sure your connector can be disconnected behind the plug to install the brake controller. Some are completely sealed so it isn't possible, not sure what VW uses for OEM parts. It has an app, like the Echo, but also has a remote that works via USB.
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Ryan H. profile picture

Ryan H.

8/5/2025

@RobinH looking at the Redarc a little more closely, it seems like the knob can actually be mounted pretty much anywhere as long as it’s within the 3 foot cable range to the box, so I think I have a pretty good spot in mind! There’s a little panel next to the OBDII port that can open and close, I think mounting it inside of that would make it very well hidden but easily accessible. Looks like that’s the setup I’ll be going with, thanks! For hitches, would you happen to have essentially an “entry-level” hitch that you recommend? I’ll probably end up getting a nicer one like the one you posted initially down the line if I find myself towing fairly often but I think just a standard cheap ball mount should do the job just fine for now.
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Robin H. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Robin H.

8/5/2025

@RyanH that would definitely work and keep it hidden, just make sure it is something you can access while driving if you need to push on the knob for the manual override. Do you have the trailer you will be putting that Porsche on? I would measure your hitch and the coupler and see what will work best for that setup. I'm assuming you have a 2" receiver on your hitch so I attached a link to all of our ball mounts that fit, along with an article explaining how to measure rise/drop. You can sort it according to the rise/drop you need and then pick one with a 1-7/8", 2", or 2-5/16" ball to match the coupler size.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_hitch_ball_mount-sf-fixed_ball_mount-hs-fits_2_inch_hitch.aspx

faq-ballmount.aspx

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Ryan H. profile picture

Ryan H.

8/8/2025

Just figured I would give a little follow up after installing it last night, this thing is amazing! Great recommendation, the knob barely shows at all, and the controller unit is completely hidden behind the dash. I searched online for an installation video and you guys actually had one for the EXACT placement I had in mind on a 2021 VW Atlas, which is crazy specific. This is the video I found that helped: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhouzbSw55E The main difference was that mine has cabin lighting under the dash (SEL trim instead of the SE) which made accessing the open area next to the fuse box a little more difficult. Otherwise I ended up mounting it in exactly the same position with the knob on that fuse cover panel, and the wiring passing through the cover to the controller that I zip-tied to the side of the fuse box. I found some pictures of other brake controllers that people have installed, and my knees exploded just looking at them. They look so bulky and intrusive. I'm pretty new to towing but I guess I would have expected every brake controller to work like this one where the bulk of it is hidden away. All-in-all, I'm extremely happy with how it looks, and I didn't even need to make a trip to the hardware store for the installation since you pointed out everything I would need (having connectors and crimpers in my garage for splicing the connector wiring did help in my case though, haha)! Great recommendation, thank you so much again for insisting I keep that Redarc in mind.

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Robin H. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Robin H.

8/10/2025

@RyanH you're welcome, thanks for the update! I'm glad the installation went well and you're happy with how it looks. Now your knees will be safe and you're ready to tow.
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