Tow your trailer with any vehicle using ElecBrakes
Today if you want to tow a trailer with electric brakes you need an electric brake controller fit to your car. This means that the car with a controller must be used each time the trailer needs to be towed or moved. What a pain! If you wanted to tow the trailer with another car, you now need to install a second brake controller; and another and another.
Are you in the hire business? Imagine any hirer with the right vehicle being able to use your services. Do you have a trailer that you and your team use for business? Are the young apprentices always having to use the bosses nice new car to tow the trailer? Not anymore!
Do you have horses? Imagine being able to tow the horse float with any motor vehicle. This section is how to install and setup. ElecBrakes is a wireless electric brake controller fitted to your trailer, not your car. Having and an ElecBrakes unit will allow any vehicle with a correct towing capacity to tow the trailer the unit is attached to. Everything you need to attach the ElecBrakes unit to the trailer is in the box. Simply attach the unit to the drawbar of the trailer wire the electrical wires coming from the Elecbrakes unit directly into the wiring harness of the trailer. Download the ElecBrakes app and follow the instructions to calibrate the phone to the ElecBrakes unit on the trailer.
If you want to know more about ElecBrakes, download the brochure and installation guide here. AllBrand Caravan Services are always ready to help you prepare and stay safe on the roads.
You can either call us today on (07) 3869 2969 or stop in at our workshop on 113 Connaught Street Sandgate QLD 4017
Electronic Brake Controllers
The brakes on your caravan will not work unless you have a control module in your car. This unit is attached under the dash of your vehicle. Its installation is virtually independent of the vehicle’s electrical circuit and has no conflict with car computers or ABS Braking Systems. Installation usually takes AllBrand Caravan Services around two hours depending upon the vehicle.
Although there is a large number of commercially-available controller units, the majority operate on a similar set of principles. This essentially involves power being fed from the vehicle’s brake lights into the controller unit, and then through a 7-pin or 12-pin socket to the van. By doing this, it allows for the caravan’s brakes to automatically apply as the vehicle’s are. Given the variable nature of control units, power flow will vary. AllBrand recommend a pendulum-based brake controller, because this allows for the braking force to be varied in proportion to the stopping force applied to the tow vehicle instead of full-on or full-off. Because it is variable, braking force is much smoother and considerably more responsive with a pendulum unit, and as an added bonus, power consumption when not in motion (for example, when stopped at a crossroads) is greatly reduced. Most quality controllers will also have an in-built function to apply the van’s full braking force totally independently of the tow vehicle’s, a feature which is especially useful in helping minimise caravan jack knifing, general instability of the rig, and swaying of the rig under tow.
AllBrand Caravan Services invite you to call us with any questions that you may have or to make a booking for installation. With every controller fitted AllBrand fits 6mm hot wire automatically with circuit breaker protection for fridge circuit which is in the quoted price of standard insulation of electric brake controller unit.
Redarc Tow-Pro
The Tow-Pro™ is an electric trailer brake controller designed to suit most common trailer braking applications whilst requiring minimal dash space and being simple to install and operate.
The Tow-Pro™ offers selectable Automatic or User Controlled trailer braking modes allowing the user to choose the braking style depending on the road or terrain conditions, vehicle type, or driver preference.
The unit is able to operate both electric and electric/hydraulic trailer brakes without manual selection and will operate from either 12V or 24V vehicle systems without the need for extra components or wiring. The unit is also ADR compliant when installed as directed.
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 – an AllBrand favourite and our most commonly used controller
The Tekonsha Prodigy is quite possibly the single most advanced controller system money can buy. Even though it’s a pendulum design, it requires no levelling or terrain compensation to function – this is all taken care of by the unit. It has a multifunction digital display which displays the voltage applied to the caravan’s brakes during towing, as well as displays warnings about any faults which may occur in the feed (voltage loss and short circuits, amongst a range of others). The unit comes with an easy-to-use plug-in wiring harness arrangement for easy removal, and easy pocket-mounting for a range of flexible mounting options. As well as a variable power output, the Prodigy also has a “Boost” function to incrementally increase output. While some features go far beyond what many users will require as a baseline, what it offers as a total package will make your caravanning adventures a lot more stress-free and enjoyable.
Tekonsha Prodigy P3
Picking up where the P2 left off, the P3 is essentially a refinement of the P2 into a much more user-focused unit with easier to adjust controls and functions. Features like the “Boost” function are much easier to access and use, and adjustments are made easy with a scroll-button system. Overall, P3 can be thought of as a P2 unit made easier to use while retaining the majority of its power. This unit will also work specific electric over hydraulic braking systems.
Comparison of Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controllers
FEATURE
DESCRIPTION/EXPLANATION
PRODIGY P2
PRODIGY P3
Pendulum Operated
Does the controller automatically apply power to the caravan brakes PROPORTIONALLY to the tow vehicles deceleration.
YES
YES
Manual Pendulum Levelling Required
Most Pendulum Operated Controllers require a simple one off adjustment to achieve smooth brakes.
NO
NO
Variable Output
Can the power level be increased/decreased to suit different caravan loads or driving terrain.
YES
YES
Manual Control Operation
Application of the manual lever will apply the caravan brakes independent of the car. This helps to control any caravan sway.
YES
YES
Digital Display of Output Level to Brakes
The digital readout gives the operator powerful information to achieve consistent braking.
YES
YES
Mounting of Unit
Pendulum Based Controllers require the front of the unit to be horizontal but the angle can vary.
0° – 70°
0° – 70°
Troubleshooting Display
Digital Display Symbols Which Provide Helpful Information to The Operator
Digital Display
Digital Display
– “Trailer Connected”
Symbol indicates the caravan is connected
YES
YES
– “Circuit Indicator”
Symbol indicates the braking circuit is complete
YES
YES
– “Loss of Power”
Symbol indicates a loss of power to the unit
YES
YES
– “Short Circuit”
Symbol indicates a short in the braking circuit
YES
YES
Warranty
Term of Limited Warranty
LIFETIME
LIFETIME
Size
Approximate Dimensions (Height/Width/Length (mm))
35/65/130
35/65/130
Number of Axles
Suitable up to how many braked Caravan axles?
FOUR
FOUR
Plug in Harness
A snap connector makes it simpler to swap from car to car
YES
YES
Memory Feature
Microprocessor to retain Power Level selection
YES
YES
European Vehicle Installations
At AllBrand we have auto electricians who specialise in caravan brake controller fitments. We often install brake controllers into BMW, VW, Audi, Discovery, Range Rover plus other European vehicles.
There are usually additional costs with these vehicles with wiring circuits through out the vehicle.