Thread: Electric Brake Controllers - Which Type?

AT ALL COSTS, AVOID THE UNITS THAT ARE A TIMER!! They are an accident waiting to happen and the only reason they haven't been banned from the Australian market is that it's difficult to prove that the controller was the cause of an accident. If an investigation shows that the controller still works, then it's usually discounted as the contributing factor and blame is then placed back on the experience (or lack thereof) of the driver.

The two biggest importers of Electric brakes into this country both void any warranty with the brakes with this type of controller fitted.

The only three brands I would point you in the direction of would be Tekonsha, Kelsey, or Dexter. Tekonsha would have the largest range, and the range varies to suit your budget. I personally have a Voyger and highly recommend it. Simple to use, is at the lower end of the price range, and if you understand how the brakes work, you can adjust it to your exact requirements for each trip. The higher end units have become almost smarter than the user, pretty much adjusting themselves, cutting out the guesswork in setting them up.


Hope this helps.

Yonnee.

Tekonsha is what we use at the shop. Works well.

OK Yonnee, The time delay activation is what I couldn't figure out also. So why anyone make and market such a device, what would be the thinking behind time delay activation?? If anytning, I would imagine that it would be desirable for the trailer brakes to activate prior to the tow vehicles brakes.

Anyway, I went for the Tekonsha Primus controller, so far it seems to perform very well, although I haven't yet towed the float with a horse in it yet. When I do I'll report back here any let you know.

The only, I repeat, ONLY feature these timer units have over motion sensing, decellaration controllers, is their ability to be mounted anywhere in the vehicle, in any place that fits... up-side-down, back to front, shoved under the back seat...

And the problem is... many manufacturers are now offering knee airbags that make i quite difficult to place a good controller in a tow vehicle in a spot where it's user friendly.

Having just purchased a camper trailer with electric brakes, I did some searching on brake controllers.

Found this link useful

brake_controllers

As I said earlier, I am reporting back on my new electric brake controlling unit. Last weekend I towed the float with 1 x 450 Kg horse on board.

The brakes performed flawlessly and when I applied the brakes I could barely notice that I had a horse float behind. There was none of the clunking and jerking of the float when stopping and accelerating as often happens when towing with over-ride brakes (mechanical and hydraulic).

Although it was a little more effort to locate the unit as directed (these units have to be orientated in a specific manner), I feel the little extra effort is more than worth it in sure, comfortable and effortless braking that the unit provides. Thanks to all who helped out here.

The old boy usually takes 2 horses at a time on the float. Electric on one set does ok, but are seriously considering changing over the other axle to electric as well. Quite a bit of weight once 2 ponies are loaded.

On the recommendation of Yonnee we went the Tekonsha way
We decided that the P3 was the way to go for us, easy to use and set up.

Nice to know when you step on the brakes the trailer follows easily.

I will echo Tekonsha from the States. I had someone recommend the time based controller to me but couldn't see it as the better option. I bought the proportional Tekonsha and I like it. You set it based on the weight of the load you're carrying. If the trailer brakes lock up you've set it too high and just back off a bit. It's easier to adjust on the fly than I thought it would be.
Bob