TV brake controller compatibility
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Printed Date: 16 May 2025 at 9:09pm
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Topic: TV brake controller compatibility
Posted By: CaperPodder
Subject: TV brake controller compatibility
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 12:59pm
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Hi all, Looking to upgrade to a bigger TV and noticed that some come with their own brake controller. Wondering if the brakes on my 2013 177 will be compatable with these controllers. Looking at 2103 F-150, 2013 Silverado/Sierra or a 2013 RAM.
Appreciate all your feedback.
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Replies:
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 1:47pm
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There should be no compatibility issues. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 1:52pm
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definately go with FORD!!! ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 2:02pm
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Welcome. Yes, generally brake controllers are compatible with all electric brake systems from small one-axle utility trailers up to two-axle construction flatbeds.
Find out if the built-in controller is timer based or a proportional controller. If it is the older-style timer type save your money and don't get that option. For about $100 you can get a decent Prodigy, which uses the proportional technology. That matches the braking response from the trailer to what you are doing with the brake pedal - if you hit the brakes in an emergency stop the trailer will immediately give you the same heavy braking, or if you just tap the brakes to slow down in heavy traffic then you'll just get a little braking. The timer types tend to be "jerky" in slow traffic and never give you all they can in an emergency, because they just slowly give you more brakes up to the limit you've set. You also have to fiddle with that limit control all the time which isn't true with the proportional type. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Folornhope
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 9:36pm
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I just upgraded to the 2013 F150, the factory brake controller is supposed to help with anti-sway by monitoring each wheels braking and adjusting the trailers brakes accordingly. Check page 16 of the quick reference guide ------------- Eddy the Escape Pod...177 Ford F150 |
Posted By: CaperPodder
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2013 at 7:54am
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Thanks everyone, we decided to go with the F-150. It is in transit from Michigan and should be here next week. We were feeling underpowered with our Mitsubushi Outlander. We will miss it but I will feel much more comfortable on those long trips with the new tv. ------------- Don, Mimi, & Nola the Goldendoodle 2013 RPod 177 (CachePod) 2013 F-150 4x4 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2013 at 10:05am
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My 2010 F-150 handles the pod with no problems. I hardly know it is back there. And the factory controller is great.
Mine is an old fashioned V8, not Ecoboost. Let us know how yours does. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 12:37pm
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HELP! In negotiations with dealer on purchasing used Silverado 1500 to pull our 171. We currently have Dodge Caravan to trade in (has new brake controller, would have to put it on the Silverado). Dealer says and swears that everyone HE talks to says they pull 3,000 lb and larger trailers WITHOUT brake controller. He says he wouldn't even fool with trying to swap it out of the Caravan and install it in the Silverado..says the truck will pull the Rpod with ease and not need electric brakes of the trailer. Is he wrong? Is he right? Help...I need to know before we make the trade decision! ------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 12:44pm
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Most state laws require operational brakes on trailers over 1500 pounds. He is right about the truck being able to pull the trailer without a controller, but he is absolutely wrong about not needing the controller. Insist on swapping the controller to the Silverado. Now for a disclaimer. Does the Silverado towing package include a brake controller? I am assuming that it does not. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 12:48pm
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Thanks Bob. The truck comes with wiring, but not a built-in controller. Ours is a Tekonsha Primus IQ 90160. ------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 1:27pm
Yes don't let your dealer con you. Bob is 100% right. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 1:35pm
------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 7:40pm
You will want to keep that brake controller. With the built-in wiring on the Silverado it is an easy job to move it over. Chevy used to have a plug under the dash which made the job very easy but when they introduced their own built-in brake controller (an option) they started giving you the bare wires (around 2005 I believe). Still makes the job easier than it used to be when you had to wire everything yourself. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 8:14pm
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Here in Wisconsin we are required to have brakes with a 3000 lb rated Gross trailer weight which would of course include R Pods. I would really question the credibility of a salesman that told me something like that. Maybe, possibley it would be legal in your state but I would not go without the brake controller. Also in my understanding if you have a towing package it should just plug in under the dash. ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 8:20pm
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I think I would go to a different dealer also. That's bad advice to go without trailer brakes.
You might want to consider a truck equipped with a controller from the factory. My F150 has a factory controller and it works extremely well. I am sure the other brands do also. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 9:44pm
See my post above. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 11:00pm
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We got the Silverado...and it comes with "HD (heavy duty) towing package" (all the specs say it can tow 7,200 pounds---so now we can breathe a sigh of relief after putting the 'bed-in-a-box mattress in the pod, LOL)...dealer will put our brake controller on it :)
------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 2:34pm
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Good to hear they'll move the brake controller for you. I hope they aren't charging you, it is literally a 15 minute job. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2013 at 4:55pm
Well, it took me about half an hour, but truly is a 15 minute job!
------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |