Brake controllers, what do you have and why......any and all discusions.........

[bigcol]

I have the Tekonsha Voyager in my Patrol
&
the Tekonsha P2 in my Cruiser

while both are very good, they are getting old, and like most electrical things will surely wear out and stop

my thoughts have been towards the new TowPro EBRH-ACC or EBRH-ACCV2
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/REDARC-T...122406?hash=item3f61d27626:g:5dwAAOSwqfNXkH3r
but has been mentioned in another post about it not being suitable,
I am wanting all information as to
1) what you have
2) why you have it
3) what have you had previously
4) why did you change

5) any and ALL discusion on brake controllershttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/REDARC-T...122406?hash=item3f61d27626:g:5dwAAOSwqfNXkH3r

 

[Dobbie]

Please refer to my previous post!

But I'll try to remember.

1. Hayman Reece
2. Because I bought it years ago and it's now been on two vehicles....a friendly auto electrician removed it and refitted it.
3. Had a Tech...something
4. Changed as I couldn't remove the damn thing easily when I sold the vehicle.

But, as said previously, I'm way behind in checking what's available and up to date. So I'm very interested in the contributions but, as also said, on the principle of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it" I've stuck with the HR and only had to adjust it once.

I will follow this with interest.... And will read about the TowPro?

 

[NoWorries]

I have a Tow Pro and it is very good, but I know how good the Tek is to compare it with.

I went with the Tow Pro because every bloke at the caravan show said they were the ducks nutz

 

[davemc]

We have the new Tow Pro Elite (EBRH-ACCV2 ) in the new Disco had a IQ on the old Disco.
Both work fine no knee problems with the Tow Pro.

 

[chartrock]

I had a Tekonsha in my old Isuzu MU which I swapped to my Navara and all up it went no problems for around 9 years although I found it difficult to adjust for different conditions. It went with the Nav when I sold it so in the BT 50 I ordered the Tow-pro as I liked the idea of the simple control and the main box out of sight.
I have it set for driving with it putting on the van brakes immediately the brake pedal is touched so in effect the van starts to slow down before the car which is my preferred option but when driving in a town with stop start driving, it gives a very uncomfortable jerky sort of ride with the van jerking the tug to a stop so it is an easy adjustment to ease back on the control for a smoother slow ride.
I am very happy with the tow-pro.

 

[Jamcor]

Had hayman reece in navara towing swan outbak now have patrol with tow pro towing 17 expanda both units found very good

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I have the Tow Pro EBRH-ACC which I upgraded from an old Hayman Reese controller.

No hitting the knee any more, neat installation, simple operation, and most importantly compatible with my ESC and a proportional controller which the old Hayman Reese was not.

 

[bigcol]

cool cool guys

keep them coming................

 

[bigcol]

I have heard from a few people about the "knee hitting" problem

to be honest, I have not had that problem, as both units (Patrol & Cruiser) have them just above the left Knee

 

[bigcol]

as @chartrock said, I too have both of mine adjusted for the Van to brake before the car - force of habit maybe

I was surprised that another member suggested this could not be done with the Towpro - hence part of the reason for this thread
I did think of just a Poll, but thought the combined knowledge base would be better for reasons and real life uses

 

[dagree]

Had the tekonsha primus iq originally and changed to a tekonsha P2 when changing it over to the Prado.
Was happy with the primus iq but when wiring it in the Prado the son in law didn't realise white wire was neg and the rest is history

Got the P2 as it was the only one available locally on a Sunday morning the day before we were due to leave on a two week trip!
Very happy with the P2 and will leave it as is until necessary to change then will review what is available at the time.

As for hitting the knee I haven't had that issue either.

I do like the idea of the Tow Pro dash mount setup though.

 

[MDS69]

I have the Redarc with the remote head fitted since the CT days. Now with the Expanda it doesn't cut the mustard in slow traffic, always having to adjust. I am going to fit the tow pro when I pull my finger out. I usually remember when I am in traffic when towing and having to put up with the wife complaining about the the car and van jerking around.

 

[JT76]

Another two pro user. First electric brake setup so can't compare to anything else but can say it seems to work perfectly. We have a boat with hydraulic brakes and you notice a little shunt where as the tow pro is seamless.

Coming home from the snow the other day a had to jump in the brakes hard twice, once got cut off in Sydney and the other time was your own fault not concentrating 5 mins from home. Car and van pulled up on the spot beautifully so really happy it works well under emergency conditions.

Pretty easy self instal and as other have said nice and small and stays out of the way.

 

[bigcol]

having to put up with the wife complaining about the the car and van jerking around.

oh I fixed that problem good and proper

first time she complained, I stopped the car, got out
opened her door and said - "off you go, show me how to do better"

never had a complaint since - funny that............

 

[Tone]

We have a tekonsha P3 mainly because I swap it between cars and it works great and has memories for different trailers.

 

[pauljygrant]

Teconsha P3 previously fitted around 5 years ago to the Pathfinder towing a Swan, now in the Navara towing the Basestation with ESC fitted.
It just works so never had any reason to consider changing it. Easy to set up, and handy battery voltage reading when needed.

 

[Dobbie]

So my previous one must have been a Techonsha?

Whichever, it and the current HR are totally away from knees but able to be seen.

I'm pleased I don't have to adjust the HR after watching lots of drivers stop, start, adjust etc when they leave caravan parks.

 

[Rockape]

Hi,
I have been using the Tekonsha P3 for a few years now and have been very happy with it. I really like its boost function. It's easy to setup and use, shows when there is a brake connection problem and is easy to remove and install.
Cheers
Nick

 

[twscoot]

I've got a Redarc remote mount (standard) brake controller.
At the time I bought my Jeep GC there were only a few options and this was fitted as part of the deal.
If you you know what you are doing, they are a satisfactory controller but do need constant adjustment in and out of town. Especially for a big van.
They are neat and reliable. If you were new to brake controllers I'd suggest a different solution.
Previously I had a Hayman Reece Guardian. This proportional controller was excellent.
The Redarc Elite would be a much better option now in my circumstances.

 

[Matty4]

I've got the Tekonsha P3 in the Jeep fitted in the centre console cubby, out of sight and out of mind when not in use.
I took it out of my last car (Territory) as at the time of purchase it was the only proportional controller on the market. It really is a set and forget unit. Once setup there's no having to adjust it on the fly like the older Redarc's, and I certainly wouldn't go to the hassle and expense of fitting a new proportional tow-pro when this one works so well.
They may look a little more cumbersome but a bit of lateral thinking on installation will have it away from your knees without issues.