Tekonsha brake controllers for T4R

[IFD933]

I need to add a brake controller for my 2014 T4R. I was initially planning on a P2 or P3 and then saw the Redarc units and shifted to the Tow-Pro Liberty.

While I was looking for a controller, I saw a few different lower priced Teknosha proportional controllers - Primus IQ, Voyager, and Brake-Evn. The only major difference I can find is that these units are electric only and don't support electric over hydraulic like the Prodigy models.

I'm going to be buying a 5k utility trailer with electric brakes and I don't see any electric over hydraulic trailer brakes in my future, so it looks like these lower priced Tekonsha units would work for me.

I like the clean install of the Redarc controllers, but I'd rather save some $$ if possible. Anyone using these any of these other Tekonsha controllers?

 

[Jetboy]

Skip the install and get this: Echo: A Wireless Brake Controller for Your Smartphone

I did have a traditional one in my 4r. But the echo is just so easy and no install work. Plus you can take it with you to the next vehicle, use on a rental, etc. And I actually think it works better for brake modulation than the OEM one on my tundra.

My . 02. Good luck.

 

[jbtvt]

$300, don't leave that plugged in outside while you run into the grocery store! I've lost $40 drop hitches left alone for under an hour.

I have the Primus IQ and have put thousands of miles on it over 2 different vehicles, and I bought it used so who knows how long before that. Works great, plug and play, at least if your 4runner came with the trailer package. You just need to buy the vehicle specific adapter, or maybe they come with it if you buy new, and plug into the harness under dash - but if it didn't have tow package you'd need to do additional wiring to get a functional 7way plug for the Echo to have power anyway. I like the boost settings it has to kick on 15% to 40% (I think) of brake power as soon as the brake is pressed, even before the accelerometer kicks in. Useful for towing big loads with a midsize suv.

 

[Jetboy]

Mine was about $200. maybe inflation? I think most people wouldn't know what the curt adapter is or that it was even something different from the normal plug. But it would be pretty easy to steal. It's probably possible if you don't get it installed right that it could fall out too.

I think all 5th gens come with the tow package, so they should all have the 7 pin wired and ready to go. They only one that might not have a tow package was the 2010 4cyl model. They also all come with the trailer controller pigtail and plug in the glove box when new. Or at least they did in 2015 when I bought mine.

 

[IFD933]

Thanks for the info. I like those wireless units, but $250+, probably come down over time. I've got the tow package, pretty sure it was standard. Found the connector up under dash last night. I think I'm going to go with the Primus and mount it to the left side of the steering wheel. Seems like more space to work with on that side.

 

[Jetboy]

Thanks for the info. I like those wireless units, but $250+, probably come down over time. I've got the tow package, pretty sure it was standard. Found the connector up under dash last night. I think I'm going to go with the Primus and mount it to the left side of the steering wheel. Seems like more space to work with on that side.

Looks like it's actually going up in price. They were $200 in 2019. Been out a while. I'm surprised there aren't more options. The only other one I know of is the tekonsha RF. And it's a hard mount to the trailer and it's more like $400.

I mounted my hard mount traditional controller in the small cubby under the HVAC controls. I used 3m VHB square of double sided tape to glue to the top of the cubby. And I cut a small access hole in the top of the cubby to feed the wires through behind the dash. That way it looks really clean and about as close to OEM as possible. The rest is just zip ties and wiring to the pigtail adapter. I think mine was a reese proportional model, but I don't remember what specifically it was. It worked well and was convenient in that location.

I ended up needed to tow with a rental truck that drove the purchase of the echo. But after using it I was sold on the idea.

 

[Reinout]

I vote for the Primus IQ: I've put 10s of thousands of miles on it with our travel trailer and other trailers without issue. It's simple, out of the way, no fuss, no apps, and easy to adjust on the fly.

REDARC wasn't on my radar but it probably should have been. I like the clean installation look. What I like about the Primus though is that we have more than one tow vehicle and I can move it. The Redarc seems to be a more permanent installation.

 

[Reinout]

Thanks for the info. I like those wireless units, but $250+, probably come down over time. I've got the tow package, pretty sure it was standard. Found the connector up under dash last night. I think I'm going to go with the Primus and mount it to the left side of the steering wheel. Seems like more space to work with on that side.

I decided against going on the left side as I was more likely to hit the unit getting into and out of the truck. Just my $0.02.

 

[ladywolf]

i ran a p3 in both my 2010 4runner and my 05 4th gen. Had absolutely no issues out of either of them.

 

[4Reak Show]

Redarc is on my 5th gen. Works great. Wouldn’t do anything different.

We have installed quite a few Echo wireless ones at work. Total trash. I don’t like the idea of brakes being controlled via a wireless connection. Bluetooth drops out a lot and we get about 70% of the installs either constant complaints or changed entirely to hardwired.

Prodigy Primus in my 2nd gen. We install lots and lots of P2’s. Either are great. P3 seems overkill in the tech/fancy department.

Either Redarc tow pro elite or P2 would be my opinion for you.