Brakes and Brake Assist

V

VT Campers

New Member
Oct 23, 2022
5
Anxiously awaiting the start of camping season as we experience -14 degrees in VT this weekend. Can someone tell me how to determine if my 2005 Fleetwood Newport has brakes? We intend to purchase a Bluetooth brake assist instead of having one installed in our tow vehicle. Is that a good option or should we go with the install?
 
Anthony Hitchings

Anthony Hitchings

Super Active Member
Gold Supporting Member
Mar 2, 2019
4,242
Oakland, California
Look for wires going into the back side of the wheel assemblies (backing plates). Or the remains of wires.

Actually, its likely that if you don't see any backing plates - then there are no brakes if all you see from under the camper, looking outwards, is a hub.
 
Dingit

Dingit

Super Active Member
Mar 8, 2017
2,265
It's a highwall model isn't it? I believe all but the tiniest (and maybe even those) were equipped with brakes. Betcha you got brakes!
 
Annunzi

Annunzi

Active Member
Jun 14, 2019
296
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
After using the Curt Wireless Bluetooth Echo for a few years now with our highwall, I'm switching back to a wired brake controller for the following reasons:
  1. There is lag from when I apply the vehicle brakes to when the trailer brakes activate; no amount of adjustment on the settings through app have corrected this
  2. When the brakes do activate, it's either all or nothing, and again nothing in the app has remedied this
  3. The connection between the trailer 7 pin connector and the Echo is not very secure, I had to add an extra velcro strap to ensure it didn't fall out
  4. I bought a stand alone smartphone just to run the Curt app, every time we turned the vehicle off when the trailer was connected, we had to reconnect the brake controller through the app.
We are going to have our dealership install a Primus IQ brake controller, i'm not a big fan of having the controller wired into the cabin of the vehicle, but the Primus has very good reviews and I trust it a lot more than the Echo.

PS: Anyone want to buy an Echo brake controller? :p
 
J

jeepster04

Active Member
Nov 23, 2010
311
I may sound like an old man, but I would NOT want to fumble around with a phone for my trailer brakes. My iphone rarely works good enough to use the google maps, brakes are not something I would trust it with.

Ive had the tekonsha primus IQ for many years and its perfect. Once you get it dialed in, the trailer brakes are seemless. Depending on what tow vehicle you have, it may be as simple as buying an adaptor, plugging it in, and finding a place to mount the controller.
 
Dingit

Dingit

Super Active Member
Mar 8, 2017
2,265
VT, does your TV have a plug and play doohickey for a wired connection? That makes it really easy.
 
V

VT Campers

New Member
Oct 23, 2022
5
I don’t know what is in the TV in terms of a wired connection. The Bluetooth sounded like a great idea since we plan to replace the TV next year. I did confirm our Newport has brakes. Has anyone had a positive experience with the Echo?
 
TSQ

TSQ

Active Member
Mar 28, 2021
469
Niagara Region, ON
Keep in mind that even with a "wireless" brake controller you will still need to install a +12V Aux Charge wire.

I have friends with the Echo. It... works, most of the time. Due to the length it really strains the 7 pin vehicle connector - they use a bungee cord to hold it up. Awkward to manually use in an emergency if you experience trailer sway, even if you have a dedicated device.

If you decide on wireless have a look at the Tekonsha Prodigy RF:

TEKONSHA | 902502 | Prodigy® RF Plug & Play Trailer Mounted Proportional Brake Controller for Trailers with 1-3 Axles, Black

Tekonsha | Brake Controllers
www.tekonsha.com www.tekonsha.com

Eliminates the problems with the 7 pin connector and comes with a dedicated remote. But not as handy if you have more than one trailer.

If you go wired I would also recommend the RedArc Liberty:
www.redarcelectronics.com

Tow-Pro Liberty Electric Brake Controller

The REDARC Tow-Pro Liberty is the latest innovation in brake controller technology, perfect for highway driving.
www.redarcelectronics.com www.redarcelectronics.com

If you get the RedArc don't forget the approriate vehicle adapter harrness (or the universal adaptor).
 
S

SteveP

Super Active Member
May 21, 2015
2,732
IMO the Echo is too expensive for a temporary solution, based on prices on etrailer and Amazon. The Primus IQ is one third the cost and when you get the new TV it takes about 5 minutes to take it out of the old TV so you can install it in the new one. Of course if you don't install it yourself that increases the cost. If you don't already have the 7 pin installed on the TV make it part of the package. Check around, see what installation will cost. I think you can get it done for the price of the Echo.
 
davido

davido

Super Active Member
Jul 17, 2014
1,509
Annunzi said:
After using the Curt Wireless Bluetooth Echo for a few years now with our highwall, I'm switching back to a wired brake controller for the following reasons:
  1. There is lag from when I apply the vehicle brakes to when the trailer brakes activate; no amount of adjustment on the settings through app have corrected this
  2. When the brakes do activate, it's either all or nothing, and again nothing in the app has remedied this
  3. The connection between the trailer 7 pin connector and the Echo is not very secure, I had to add an extra velcro strap to ensure it didn't fall out
  4. I bought a stand alone smartphone just to run the Curt app, every time we turned the vehicle off when the trailer was connected, we had to reconnect the brake controller through the app.
We are going to have our dealership install a Primus IQ brake controller, i'm not a big fan of having the controller wired into the cabin of the vehicle, but the Primus has very good reviews and I trust it a lot more than the Echo.

PS: Anyone want to buy an Echo brake controller? :p
Click to expand...

I have the Primus IQ in one vehicle, and a Prodigy P2 in another vehicle.

They both work very similarly, and very well. The P2 is less sensitive to mounting orientation. And the manual operation lever is easier to use. Aside from that they're almost the same controller. The Primus IQ is a great choice for people who tow one trailer. For people who tow several different trailers, a Prodigy P3 is a good choice.

You'll like the Primus IQ.
 
Michael J

Michael J

Active Member
Aug 9, 2018
220
Michigan
TSQ said:
Keep in mind that even with a "wireless" brake controller you will still need to install a +12V Aux Charge wire.

I have friends with the Echo. It... works, most of the time. Due to the length it really strains the 7 pin vehicle connector - they use a bungee cord to hold it up. Awkward to manually use in an emergency if you experience trailer sway, even if you have a dedicated device.

If you decide on wireless have a look at the Tekonsha Prodigy RF:

TEKONSHA | 902502 | Prodigy® RF Plug & Play Trailer Mounted Proportional Brake Controller for Trailers with 1-3 Axles, Black

Tekonsha | Brake Controllers
www.tekonsha.com www.tekonsha.com

Eliminates the problems with the 7 pin connector and comes with a dedicated remote. But not as handy if you have more than one trailer.

If you go wired I would also recommend the RedArc Liberty:
www.redarcelectronics.com

Tow-Pro Liberty Electric Brake Controller

The REDARC Tow-Pro Liberty is the latest innovation in brake controller technology, perfect for highway driving.
www.redarcelectronics.com www.redarcelectronics.com

If you get the RedArc don't forget the approriate vehicle adapter harrness (or the universal adaptor).
Click to expand...
Well having a 12+ is a bonus to charge the battery having a battery with enough capacity to do the job during the whole trip and charge at home and the campsite is possible too..... Wired is better though
 
brettstoner

brettstoner

Active Member
Jun 17, 2014
153
Toledo, OH
I have a P2 brake controller and there is no way I would go back to a timer based brake controller. It is so smooth. Also I would not trust a critical safety item to Bluetooth. Might be handy in a pinch in a rental vehicle but otherwise better to go wired.
 
S

stierheim

Member
Apr 22, 2013
69
You don't say what your current TV is, but if it is capable of towing a Highwall PUP and has a 7 pin connector as standard, then it likely has been pre-wired for a brake controller. If so, then it is just plug and play to install, usually just need a couple of screws to hold it under the dashboard. And it is then easy move it to a new TV. You just need the correct wire harness connector for the TV and the controller manufacturer sells them.
 
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