redarc brake controller

I've just fitted a Redarc brake controller, and it all appears to work correctly. So I'm interested to know the specific problem you encountered to ensure I'm not exposed to the same problem.

Are you saying it didn't work at all aor it didn't work dowenhill?

Cheers, The Landy

Please elaborate...

What happened ?

How was it set up ?

Cheers
Bucky

The issue is you cannot setup or program the Redarc brake controller. Redarc brake controller is expensive dinosaur technology best suited to a box trailer with electric brakes under 500kg. The Redarc brake controller has no proportional braking for going up hills or downhills or for the inertia at different speeds. With caravan weighing in 2250kg the Redarc has no way of increasing the power to the rear brakes. Going downhill you end up flogging your vehicle brakes that hard you end up with brake fade, at slow speeds you end up with brake lock up. Constantly playing with the Redarc brake controller and while you are driving and watching traffic trying to get your caravan to brake properly is downright dangerous. Brake controllers like Redarc should be banned or only allowed on 500kg or less box trailers. Anybody that tows more than a 500kg box trailer with a Redarc brake controller is a danger to themselves and other road users.

Tekonsha Prodigy 3 automatically adjusts breaking for going up hill and down hill and for the speed you are braking on the flat. The program can be adjusted for optimal braking. Brake controllers of this type should be mandatory not optional.

Exactly.

They are nothing short of dangerous. Redarc make some nice stuff but the brake comntroller isn't one of them.

I had one and the problem is that the amount if trailer braking is determined by the knob that you set. Different speeds, loads and road conditions need different settings.

You have to keep changing the knob and predict how much braking you will need next time you stop neby guessing with the knob setting.

I was always finding that the trailer was pulling me up or pushing the vehicle. The behaviour on dirt roads is completely different.

I removed it because it is dangerous.

The Tekonshina (?) etc use accelerometers that adjust the amount of braking depending on the conditions and more sepeifically the amount of deceleration.

William & Boobook, thanks for the feedback.

I am towing a TVAN at around 900kg so I will watch this critically over the next 2/3 months and see how it performs. I was actually given a Tekonshona with the TVAN when I purchased it so I acan change it in need.

Cheers, The Landy

thanks everyone that helps a lot. sounds like the Tekonshona may be the best option

Well William W. Wakefield you sure said a mouthful there. I can only concur with those comments. My experience with the Tekonsha exactly.

Regards, Bruce.

You dont state which model Tekonsha you have. Earlier model Tekonsha needed to be manually adjusted to the angle you mount the controller. Full instructions the Tekonsha manuals tell you what angles they can be mounted.

Not the P3.
An earlier model