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Trailer brake controller

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by UNTMatt, Sep 9, 2020.

  1. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:33 AM
    #1
    UNTMatt

    UNTMatt [OP] New Member

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    TRD Pro grille, TRD Pro black badging, TRD Pro shift knob, LED under dash lights, GBS, Llumar ceramic tint, BackFlip HD.
    I know the Tekonsha P3 is a popular brake controller but I'm also looking at the Redarc Ultra brake controller. Right now we will be renting some TT's in the 20~28 ft range with looking at purchasing in the late spring once we have a feel for what we want.

    Any thoughts or preferences from the experienced towers on which brake controller or should I look at another one? I'd prefer one that will connect to the factory wiring and have a clean install.
     
  2. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:56 AM
    #2
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    P3 hands down. Great unit and works well every time!
     
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  3. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #3
    JLS in WA

    JLS in WA New Member

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    Somewhere in the basalt rocks with my dogs
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    I recently installed a RedArc. Easy install and the controller works great. I put in the Tow Pro Elite.
     
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  4. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #4
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    I have the P3 in my Tacoma and the integrated brake controller in my 2018 Tundra. The IBC update seems to have fixed most of the towing issues for everyone, but I was pretty nervous owning a truck to tow my trailer that had a shitty malfunctioning brake controller.

    The P3 is rock solid and will always work. The IBC works great on the Tundra, but I'd still get the P3 if you have the option. Most people will say it's the best aftermarket option. If Toyota hadn't issued the update, I was going to hard wire the P3 and stop worrying about it.
     
    SprinterAE86 likes this.
  5. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:45 AM
    #5
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    I just installed Redarc this morning. It's not calibrated yet. But I chose it due to the remote controls. Everything out there is bulky you have to place it in an odd place.

    Teconsha does have a bezel mount for third generation that i would do if i have 14-15. But they don't have any bezel for 2nd gens.

    20200909_091212.jpg

    20200909_092349.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2020
    UNTMatt[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:46 AM
    #6
    alwzdfiant

    alwzdfiant New Member

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    How was the install?
     
  7. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    Very easy. You do need to get a patch harness still.

    Screenshot_20200909-104806_Amazon Shopping.jpg
    Screenshot_20200909-104823_Amazon Shopping.jpg
     
  8. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #8
    alwzdfiant

    alwzdfiant New Member

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    Thanks!
     
  9. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:51 AM
    #9
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    I also got this just in case I messed up with drilling the blanks.

    Screenshot_20200909-105035_Amazon Shopping.jpg
     
  10. Sep 9, 2020 at 7:57 AM
    #10
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    On my 3rd vehicle with the P3 and no complaints. Can't go wrong for $120 or whatever.
     
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  11. Sep 9, 2020 at 8:37 AM
    #11
    UNTMatt

    UNTMatt [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I was going to get the P3 but then found the Redarc. I really like the cleaner install and the panel adapter is far less expensive than the panel adapter for the P3. Now I'm strongly leaning to the Redarc but just haven't read much on it and since I'm new to towing, want to be sure.
     
  12. Sep 9, 2020 at 8:49 AM
    #12
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    Etrailer.com have a YouTube video about it.
     
    UNTMatt[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  13. Sep 9, 2020 at 9:13 AM
    #13
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    They all work the same. Doesn't matter what brand or what it looks like. With the exception of it being "timed" or "proportional". The proportional is definitely smoother. I have used both..
     
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  14. Sep 9, 2020 at 9:16 AM
    #14
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    Yes, I'll be setting mine up as proportional. I'm only going to pull a 3600lbs camper.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2020
    jeremyd[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Sep 9, 2020 at 9:20 AM
    #15
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Just go old school, 40 bucks ! Lol
    IMG_6359.jpg
     
  16. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #16
    JLS in WA

    JLS in WA New Member

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    Somewhere in the basalt rocks with my dogs
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    Drahthaar Transport Unit
    It really all depends on what kind of mount you want. For me, it was worth not having the damned controller underneath the steering wheel. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Buy what you like. The RedArc install is as clean as they come.
     
    UNTMatt[OP] likes this.
  17. Sep 10, 2020 at 11:10 AM
    #17
    UNTMatt

    UNTMatt [OP] New Member

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    TRD Pro grille, TRD Pro black badging, TRD Pro shift knob, LED under dash lights, GBS, Llumar ceramic tint, BackFlip HD.
    I have the Redarc on order, more for the clean install than anything else. The only piece I can't find is the wiring harness. Amazon has the Tekonsha wiring harness, will that work? I want this to be plug and play into the trucks wiring harness. No splicing.
     
  18. Sep 10, 2020 at 2:08 PM
    #18
    JLS in WA

    JLS in WA New Member

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    Somewhere in the basalt rocks with my dogs
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    Drahthaar Transport Unit
    I ordered the harness through Amazon. Splice to the controller and plug it in.
     
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  19. Sep 10, 2020 at 2:15 PM
    #19
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    Yup, that's what I have.
     
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  20. Sep 10, 2020 at 2:21 PM
    #20
    UNTMatt

    UNTMatt [OP] New Member

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    Thanks! Went ahead and took the chance. Should be here on Tuesday so I'll try to get it installed then. I also have a set of black Sumo Springs I need to install.

    --Matt
     
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  21. Sep 10, 2020 at 2:38 PM
    #21
    JLS in WA

    JLS in WA New Member

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    Somewhere in the basalt rocks with my dogs
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    Drahthaar Transport Unit
    FWIW, I’d spend the 12 bucks for the mounting plate for the control knob. I found the plastic knock out inserts difficult to work with. Wasn’t very clean or flush. Maybe I had too much beer.
     
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  22. Sep 10, 2020 at 2:44 PM
    #22
    UNTMatt

    UNTMatt [OP] New Member

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    TRD Pro grille, TRD Pro black badging, TRD Pro shift knob, LED under dash lights, GBS, Llumar ceramic tint, BackFlip HD.
    That part is supposed to arrive on Saturday. I thought about going the cheap route and drilling the knock out insert but, well, I'm not going the cheap route with the brake controller so I might as well spend a couple of extra bucks on the pre-drilled blank. LOL
     
    SprinterAE86 likes this.
  23. Sep 10, 2020 at 3:54 PM
    #23
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

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    I got lucky with my first attempt. I still have the blank coming in tomorrow. I'll use it when I relocate the knob next to the tow haul button where it belong. I'll do that when I get my stereo upgrade.
     
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