Caravan Brake Controllers
Submitted: Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 08:47
ThreadID:
130631
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4923
Replies:
6
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Gazza11
Guys,
I need to get a caravan brake controller fitted before I buy a caravan, does anyone have any recommendations on type of unit and brand?
Regards
Gazza
Reply By: Racey - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 08:54
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 08:54
Hi Gazza, Tekonsha P 3 is the standard to go by.
cheers
Jon
AnswerID:
591721
Follow Up By: Robert H2 - Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015 at 17:05
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015 at 17:05
I had a P3 fitted when I picked up my van in March 2013. It worked very
well, but was mounted low down on the dash between the steering wheel and the door. My wife and I would knock our knee cap sometimes when jumping in and out.
In June this year I fitted a Redarc Tow Pro. I was able to mount the control button in the middle of dash, with the main control box mounted up out of the way behind the dash
My wife can now reach the control button from the passenger
seat, so can activate it in an emergency.
The tow pro operation of the trailer brakes is smoother with than with the P3.
Overall the P3 is a good unit but the tow pro is better and easier to mount.
Rob
FollowupID:
859819
Reply By: Member - John - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 09:08
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 09:08
Gazza, Have a look at the new REDARC Tow Pro, I have just bought one, not fitted yet so can't comment, but it looks to fill the bill better than the Prodigy I have at the moment. If you decide to go for the Prodigy, let me know and you can have
mine for a very reasonable price..............
AnswerID:
591723
Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 09:42
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 09:42
The Tow Pro is a great unit.
RedArc Tow Pro Manual
Red Arc Tow pro
FollowupID:
859768
Follow Up By: TomH - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 09:43
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 09:43
They both work on the same principle .
The difference apart from the price is that the Towpro is neater as it has a remote head and the rest is concealed. .
Tow Pro at a good price.
Do NOT buy the old Redarc controller, this one
The old one EBRH
FollowupID:
859769
Follow Up By: Member - Scooby (WA) - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 10:47
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 10:47
I have had my Redarc Tow Pro for a year now. Works really
well and only a small knob visible on the dash. The control knob will fit an empty switch blank with the box of tricks hidden away, securely mounted in my case under the dash. It does not hang down and interfere with your legs.
Scooby
FollowupID:
859771
Follow Up By: Gazza11 - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 12:01
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 12:01
Thanks Guys,
The local caravan
shop also recommended the RedArc but wanted to sell me the old version for $330.
So I guess I'll go with a new version from Fleabay @ $240.
Any Ideas which Brake batter monitor to go for as apparently they are mandatory in NSW (the Nanny State).
Regards
Gazza
FollowupID:
859773
Follow Up By: OBJ - Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015 at 12:06
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015 at 12:06
Another thumbs up for Redarc Tow Pro. Ditched my Tekonsha in favour o this unit and could not be happier.
FollowupID:
859799
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 10:52
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 10:52
Yep to most of the above - the Tekonsha controllers are easy to use and very reliable - as mentioned, just about the standard that others are judged by. BUT, the Redarc Towpro is superior in a number of design factors (in my view)....I had one put in my new carriage - not cheap but I'm quite happy overall. The control interface is a very small dial / button that can just about be accommodated anywhere on the dash - in user mode or fully automatic, you can press it for instant brakes, or twist the setting to adjust braking force). The actual braking unit can be installed anywhere under the dash to get it right out of the way and importantly, it can be installed in any convenient orientation. Oh...and....Redarc is a great South Aussie company :-).....(and you know the rest - I have no affiliation with Redarc).
AnswerID:
591728
Follow Up By: gelatr - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 16:57
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 16:57
I've have both on two different Utes and believe that the redarc is superior. Neater install and separation of the adjuster from the controller gives more flexibility when installing. I also believe that the redarc is smoother when applying the brakes with better control. It's a no brainer for me.
Cheers Geoff
FollowupID:
859778
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 18:22
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 18:22
Gazza,
Before you chose which controller to buy, make sure you have sufficient knee room if the chosen brand/model needs to be mounted under the front on the dash. Some modern vehicles don't have a lot of knee clearance to enable the mounting of the cradle style controllers.
For this reason I chose a Redarc remote head unit.
AnswerID:
591744
Reply By: swampy - Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 18:26
Monday, Oct 19, 2015 at 18:26
hi
Teknoshia Prodigy P2 . I have around 70,000kmwith one .
The biggest advantage is the prodigy you can set the initial brake engagement 10,15,20 %
I donot think the redarc units do this .
The p3 version does single/twin/triple axle brakes and can do electric over hydraulic
The p3 does have a little LCD screen also . Easier to use for the technically challenged .
This is from memory but I donot think the situation has changed .
swampy
AnswerID:
591745
Reply By: Gazza11 - Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015 at 12:09
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2015 at 12:09
Guys,
Thx to all for the
feedback, just placed an order for the Redarc Towpro.
Hope to install it this weekend.
Gazza
AnswerID:
591762