What is a brake controller and why do I need it?

[driventoadventure]

Someone in the facebook group said the use an Echo bluetooth controller. That was my question,how easy to access any brake control functions on a phone while driving (if that is a thing.)

As @GATORB8 correctly said, sensitivity tends to be set once and forget (for a specific trailer), but for what it is worth at least some modern trailers have "automatically adjusting" brakes which may further negate the need to change sensitivity. (My Rockwood HW277 does and its cheaper than yours is.)

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[Cappy]

The Echo looks very promising. No install and pretty much plug and play.

The one downside is that it would occupy my phone. However, I have a few old unused smartphones laying around. I wonder If I could use one of those phones set to bluetooth to manage the brakes so I can then use my active smartphone for music, google maps, etc... connected to my uconnect unit in the Jeep.

 

[gsbrockman]

A brake controller is only effective if your trailer has electric brakes.

A brake controller works well with trailers equipped with EOH (electric over hydraulic) brakes, too.

 

[gsbrockman]

Someone in the facebook group said the use an Echo bluetooth controller.

Relying on a Bluetooth connection for something as important as trailer brakes doesn’t seem to make a huge amount of sense to me.......

 

[Vinman]

People do realize the 3,500 lb maximum tow rating is based on one person in the Jeep and no other passengers or cargo, right?

 

[JINO]

Mine came with trailer brakes, but I don't tow.
Anyone know how to remove it? Would rather have a USB port or 12v.

 

[MaximusW]

The Echo looks very promising. No install and pretty much plug and play.

The one downside is that it would occupy my phone. However, I have a few old unused smartphones laying around. I wonder If I could use one of those phones set to bluetooth to manage the brakes so I can then use my active smartphone for music, google maps, etc... connected to my uconnect unit in the Jeep.

While this does look like a promising option, I'm concerned with the 2.4 (out of 5) rating and some of the reviews I read on the iPhone App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echo-smart-control/id1427659579

 

[MaximusW]

Mine came with trailer brakes, but I don't tow.
Anyone know how to remove it? Would rather have a USB port or 12v.

Attached are the install directions for the MOPAR Trailer Brake Controller. I assume that the instructions could assist you in reversing the installation process. Of course, you'll need to pick up whatever you plan on installing there. Hope this helps!

 

[BuffaloBill]

Mine came with trailer brakes, but I don't tow.
Anyone know how to remove it? Would rather have a USB port or 12v.

Would you be interested in selling it? I’m considering putting one in my JLUR.

Thanks.

 

[Shibadog]

You need the brake controller to actually send power to the trailer's electric brakes, and the Jeep doesn't have it by default. I got the Redarc that you mentioned (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TPS46BX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with the Tekonsha cable (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08288R363/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and it was a two-hour install, with 1.5 hours of that due me being very picky about the button location and mocking its location up several times.

In the US any trailer with a GVWR over 2999lbs requires brakes; and no vehicle will power those brakes without a brake controller (even one that is integrated and hidden somewhere in the dashboard.) Even the 450s and other ultra-towers have brake controllers to power and modulate the brakes. Braking will absolutely suck - and much worse any emergency situation you will be totally fucked without it. There was one time my family was towing a horse trailer with our Bronco (this was in the 90s) and we had a blow-out in the rear (These were the Firestone tires that had recalls around that). If my dad hadn't been able to use the brake controller and trailer to slow us down, then we would have lost control and wrecked.

Anyone who tells you that you don't need a controller of some kind is talking out of their ass, and the Jeeps are only factory wired for one, but do not have one pre-installed.

This. You’re going to have 1 3=4 ton pushing your rig. It’s kinds nice if it stops at the same time you do?. Electric brakes Require a brake controller to activate them. I can not imagine ANY competent dealer telling you that their electric brakes don’t require a controller or that your Jeep has that covered. You need to get with someone knowledgeable about trailer brake systems. I suppose you”may” have “surge” brakes on your camper but I’ve never encountered that in 30 yrs of fooling around with campers.

 

[JINO]

Would you be interested in selling it? I’m considering putting one in my JLUR.

Thanks.

Absolutely, I just have no idea how to remove it. Looked online and couldn't find anything.

 

[kmmn]

Via a signal from the 7 pin connector at the back of the jeep in which the RV plugs into. Isn't that basically what happens when a brake controller is installed?

One of the 7 pins actually is there to send a signal to brake a trailer.

Since I have a tow package, I figured this connection from the Jeep hitch to the trailer would send a signal to brake the trailer when the the Jeep brakes are engaged.

It seems if a vehicle has a tow package should have a brake controller included. Because braking the trailer is an important part of towing a trailer. I guarantee I am not the only one who thought I was all set with a tow package.




My trailer has electric brakes as mentioned in the OP and later again in this post.

I had the same conversation with my cousin when he bought a trailer. The Trailering package is a hitch and the wiring (4 and 7 pin). If you want (electric) brakes to work, you need the controller. I used the MOPAR unit, because it was plug and play (but not 20 minutes) and looks very clean.

In addition to activating the trailer brakes, the controller also lets you adjust how much braking force is sent to the trailer (lighter trailers need less braking power and you never want to lock the trailer brakes) and it allows you to apply the trailer brakes only (if it starts swaying, tap the trailer brakes, not the vehicles brakes)

 

[donmontalvo]

Just found this thread. I have a 2021 JLUR with the towing package. I didn't know about brake controllers until I noticed all my camping trailer towing friends have one installed. I went with Redarc since it's the one most of my friends use. The one I bought is specifically designed for Rubicons and Gladiators.

Install took about an hour, mostly due to the contortionist moves required to fish under the dash for the tow package wiring harness for to plug the brake controller in to. Once I found it, I plugged one cable to it and the left side of the Redarc device, and a second cable to the Redarc control dial (which I installed in place of the accessory port [cigarette lighter]) to the eight side of the Redarc device.

Once that was done, I drove for about 10 miles so it could calibrate. Then I attached the trailer (T@b 320S) and drove a few miles on and off road. I set the dial to 5 for on road (blue) and 4 for off road (green). It's quite a comfort having a brake controller. Never knew I needed it until I got one.

https://www.redarcelectronics.com/us/trail-kit-jeep-wrangler-rubicon-gladiator

Now I just need to replace the 7-pin RV cable connector, it is corroded and warn from being dragged on the road. My fault, didn't know I had to push it in far enough to lock into place. Searching for one that is corrosion resistant and water proof.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

As stated already yes you need the brake controller IF your camper has electric brakes. Look at the wheels, google says you should have a disc behind the wheels if it has electric brakes.

Even though you are at 3500 lbs this trailer could be more than the Wrangler should tow. There is a chart in the owners manual that will list the limit capacities for weight , tounge weight, and frontal area of the trailer. Your drivetrain will more than handle it but the trailer might just be too big to tow it safely. The Gladiator might be better suited for this trailer. It’s the same drivetrain but 20 more inches in wheelbase and another 3 feet in total length.

RV dealers are notoriously bad at telling you your current vehicle is enough to tow the trailer you want. They make used car salesmen look good. Knew a guy that bought a trailer that was near the weight limit of his F150 when the camper dealer told him he would be fine. After the first trip with the camper he went out and traded for an F250.

As for which controller, no clue never needed as we have an RV and drag our Jeep. I would say to get something that will not permanently mount into your Jeep in case you find the Wrangler inadequate and quickly upgrade. If you go with the 12V plug in, there is always the plug in the back that stays powered. I use that plug for constant power to my old school Brake Buddy for flat towing. Just had to add a 10 foot extension cord to get the power up to the driver area.

 

[donmontalvo]

Xplorer

As stated already yes you need the brake controller IF your camper has electric brakes. Look at the wheels, google says you should have a disc behind the wheels if it has electric brakes.

Even though you are at 3500 lbs this trailer could be more than the Wrangler should tow. There is a chart in the owners manual that will list the limit capacities for weight , tounge weight, and frontal area of the trailer. Your drivetrain will more than handle it but the trailer might just be too big to tow it safely. The Gladiator might be better suited for this trailer. It’s the same drivetrain but 20 more inches in wheelbase and another 3 feet in total length.

RV dealers are notoriously bad at telling you your current vehicle is enough to tow the trailer you want. They make used car salesmen look good. Knew a guy that bought a trailer that was near the weight limit of his F150 when the camper dealer told him he would be fine. After the first trip with the camper he went out and traded for an F250.

As for which controller, no clue never needed as we have an RV and drag our Jeep. I would say to get something that will not permanently mount into your Jeep in case you find the Wrangler inadequate and quickly upgrade. If you go with the 12V plug in, there is always the plug in the back that stays powered. I use that plug for constant power to my old school Brake Buddy for flat towing. Just had to add a 10 foot extension cord to get the power up to the driver area.

Without attribution, to be clear, you’re responding to the original poster.

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