Which brake controller?

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 11:48
ThreadID: 136822 Views:3166 Replies:10 FollowUps:10
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Hey Guys,

Im hiring a camper and heading upto Ayres Rock in Sep, but will need to get a brake controller fitted to the Ranger.

Pretty happy to give the installation a go myself, but just wondering which brake controller? Redarc seem to be nice with the remote head unit and small dash dial, but the Tekonsha ones seem pretty popular.

Any help is appreciated, want to do it once and do it properly as we will be buying a camper eventually so will require one for then.

Cheers
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Reply By: Notso - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 12:01

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 12:01
I've used a range of controllers over the years and have found RedArc to be a great unit. The latest RedArcTow Pro does a great job.

Make sure you follow the installation instructions exactly as written.

AnswerID: 619486

Reply By: Darian - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 12:34

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 12:34
I had a Tekonsha quite a few years back - it was highly effective and reliable. When changing cars though, I chose the Redarc Towpro and it is just the same...highly effective and reliable. BUT, the Redarc is enhanced by (what I see as) superior industrial design...just the single push button / setting dial control interface needs to be accommodated in a good place (easy done...mine is inserted into a blanked switch hole).....manual control and auto braking settings are all done via that one button/dial....the main control unit is back in behind. Seeing they are an SA based company, manufacturing the goods here in Australia, there is no contest in my view.
AnswerID: 619493

Follow Up By: David I1 - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 16:59

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 16:59
Some people advocate that the in dash dial control should also be located where the passenger can also use it. If a caravan suddenly starts to sway, often the driver is too busy trying to control the car. In these circumstances the passenger can manually apply the caravan brakes and perhaps stop the swaying. Also good location if there was a medical situation........
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Reply By: Member - G-Robbo - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 13:13

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 13:13
+1 for the RedArc.
Simple to use and effective.
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Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 18:58

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 18:58
Been fitting brake controllers for over 20 years and I use and recommend Tekonsha Primus. At over half the price of a Tow Pro they are great value and do just as good a job. The only time I recommend a Tow Prow is if there is space limitations or the vehicle is fitted with an under dash air bag.
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Reply By: Member - nick b boab - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 19:26

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 19:26
I'm also using the primus ...cheaper !!
what vehicle are you putting it on ? if it has the Cam~Bus wiring system make it a little harder wiring up :(
Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: NeddySmtih - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 10:02

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 10:02
This will be fitted up to a Ford Ranger
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Follow Up By: Member - nick b boab - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 14:25

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 14:25
Iv got ranger aswel so thats cam bus
Using the primus work fine /no problems but you cant cut into the loom for your brake light etc you hav to run wire from the trailer plug adaptor .
Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 15:26

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 15:26
I also use the Primus IQ and have used them on the last 2 cars, can't beat them at $69.30 using code "PICKY10" at the checkout.

Cheap enough that I get a new one with each vehicle, not worth the time to remove them.

Regarding the installation, these days you are better to pick up the trigger from the brake lights rather than the switch itself.
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Follow Up By: NeddySmtih - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 16:02

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 16:02
Its a 2012 Wildtrak, was not sure if it had the canbus wiring or not and i have seen some wiring diagrams where Ford themselves say to use the wire from the brake switch.

BUT, if you saying otherwise no worries, its no big deal running the wire from the trailer brake light wire from the rear plug as a wire has to be run there anyway from the controller.

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Follow Up By: Member - nick b boab - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 20:13

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 20:13
neddysmtih : i maybe corrected but my understanding is that if the computer picks up that its not std it will shut down that section ....
better to play safe . if you have to reset computer ford will charge $$$ reset
I'm NOT auto elect but get advice from {new ranger forum}
can"t see the wildtrac being any different to any other ranger .
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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 21:37

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 21:37
I believe people should'nt comment on things they clearly know nothing about! If you wire it correctly it will not effect any systems and I am an auto elec. If in doubt take it to one. As I stated below in another reply, we did another Ranger today with a Tekonsha unit. No problems and this is probably the 15th Ranger I have done. We also fitted a ignition activated solenoid to charge a battery in a camp trailer.
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Follow Up By: Member - nick b boab - Thursday, Jun 14, 2018 at 08:53

Thursday, Jun 14, 2018 at 08:53
Ivan : I take it that comment was directed at me feel free to correct me if you wish , it is only opinion and this is a forum discussions take place ....
If we stopped making comments because we don't know what we are talking about the forum wld be a Lonely Place filled with road conditions questions ..... lol
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Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Thursday, Jun 14, 2018 at 17:26

Thursday, Jun 14, 2018 at 17:26
But you are making comments on a subject you are clearly not qualified in or even well versed. This only confuses the person asking the question. You openly admit you are not qualified and get advice from other people that aren't qualified.
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Reply By: Athol W1 - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 21:03

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 at 21:03
NeddySmith

As you are fitting the nit to the Ranger then I would suggest the Redarc Tow Pro, as there is at least some Multiplexing of the electrical system in these vehicles, and it MUST be wired and fitted EXACTLY as per their instructions. They also do a 'plug n play' fitting kit which I would suggest is used, as they have tested vehicles as fitted and shown that there is no interference with the original vehicle's electrical system (something that can very easily happen with these newer vehicles)

I have used the Teconsha Voyager, and also their Prodigy in past vehicles and am now using the Redarc Tow Pro, and I would rate the Tow Pro as the best of the three.

Regards
Athol
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Reply By: Malcom M - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 07:17

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 07:17
Two vehicles + 2 Tekonsha P3's. Work fine for us

The Redarc is nice with its dash switch mount but my trucks do not have any spare holes so the Tekonsha mounting suits us plus its a whole lot cheaper.

You can also hire brake controllers which is good for a hire situation if may not do it again for some time.
Can't remember who makes them but the hire company should know or might have them.
AnswerID: 619513

Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 17:21

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2018 at 17:21
Just fitted another Tekonsha to a Ranger today. No problems.
AnswerID: 619529

Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Friday, Jun 15, 2018 at 12:33

Friday, Jun 15, 2018 at 12:33
Hi NeddySmtih, my vote would be for a Redarc Tow Pro. Australian manufactured, and recognised as one of the best on the market. As Ivan has already stated, have it professionally installed by a good Auto Elec.

Macca.
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Reply By: NeddySmtih - Friday, Jun 15, 2018 at 13:43

Friday, Jun 15, 2018 at 13:43
Thanks Guys,

I think i am leaning towards the Redarc, mainly due to the fact of cabin space in the Ranger and my longer legs, so having ti under the dash isnt really an option, and i like the idea of having the unit hidden away as much as possible.

AnswerID: 619599

Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Jun 15, 2018 at 15:45

Friday, Jun 15, 2018 at 15:45
Neddy,

I have a BT50 and chose the Redarc Tow Pro for exactly the same reasons.

Make sure whoever does the installation mounts the unit hard onto something solid - there are two suitable brackets under the dash, one is a steering column mount, another is to left above the driver's footrest. No cable ties onto aircon ducting or wiring harness, which I have seen in a so-called professional installation. It won't properly work if it's not hard-mounted.
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