Towing trailer with trailer brake

[Lowblock]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

If the brake controller/power module is stolen the thief HAS to return it to tekonsha as THEY have pair a new remote to it. A buyer can not do it. Tekonsha is keeping theft down this way as they could take the brake controller and send it backvgo rightful owner really... so make sure you register your product.

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Yeah, that's not the case. An individual can call up Tekonsha and order a second control, no questions asked. I install one of these a week and have seen them stolen and T* does not have any way of tracking the unit. You can get another controller without sending the unit back. It would help if the wireless controls were "coded" to the actual trailer control, but for now any wireless hand set can be programmed to work with any trailer control.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by Lowblock

Yeah, that's not the case. An individual can call up Tekonsha and order a second control, no questions asked. I install one of these a week and have seen them stolen and T* does not have any way of tracking the unit. You can get another controller without sending the unit back. It would help if the wireless controls were "coded" to the actual trailer control, but for now any wireless hand set can be programmed to work with any trailer control.

thats quite interesting. both etrailers.com and Tekonsha both told me I'd have to send the unit in to have them match it to a remote. I'd still have to pair it, but this remote would definitely work.

I asked cause I wanted to buy a second Tekonsha Prodigy RF and there was a brand new one on ebay with no remote so I figured I could use the single remote I do have for my other Prodigy RF and just re-pair it to this new unit... no can do apparently.

BUT maybe what I'm asking is different than what they explained... you have me thinking now they gave a funny explanation for this scenario....

[LVP]

There is a pairing exercise that you go through to pair the controller to the unit on the trailer. I was hoping it would be hard to order the wireless remote, but that being said, I imagine they would have to sell them in case someone dropped one, or drove over one, or whatever.

[jdstrickland]

U-Haul will have a surge brake. If you want electric brakes, you have to buy a brake controller and install it, or have it installed by the trailer store.

I've never heard of a Bluetooth brake system, but there's no reason it could not exist. Back in the olden days, you would install a 7-pin connector and hardwire the brake system through it. You get 4 pins for lights, and 3 pins for the brakes, or maybe 2 for the brakes and 1 is unused. Whatever. The point is that electric brakes on a trailer used to be connected through the 7-pin connector.

[Lowblock]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

U-Haul will have a surge brake. If you want electric brakes, you have to buy a brake controller and install it, or have it installed by the trailer store.

Back in the olden days, you would install a 7-pin connector and hardwire the brake system through it. You get 4 pins for lights, and 3 pins for the brakes, or maybe 2 for the brakes and 1 is unused. Whatever. The point is that electric brakes on a trailer used to be connected through the 7-pin connector.

Its still the same today. 4 pins for lights, 1 ground, 1 battery positive, 1 trailer brake wire.

[Lowblock]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

thats quite interesting. both etrailers.com and Tekonsha both told me I'd have to send the unit in to have them match it to a remote. I'd still have to pair it, but this remote would definitely work.



I asked cause I wanted to buy a second Tekonsha Prodigy RF and there was a brand new one on ebay with no remote so I figured I could use the single remote I do have for my other Prodigy RF and just re-pair it to this new unit... no can do apparently.



BUT maybe what I'm asking is different than what they explained... you have me thinking now they gave a funny explanation for this scenario....

Perhaps it's only information that they share with dealers, although I didn't think so. We buy are tekonsha parts through a distributer and our tech support comes through tekonsha. I have personally paired a single trailer module with up to three remotes one time without any problems. All the parts were brand new mind you, I can't say if a previously paired remote will pair with a second trailer module or not. The RF is a good controller however it's not a p3 and for the cost you can have the p3 installed in the car for less then the cost of the RF, the only benefit is you can remove and install the RF and use it with multiple vehicles. If you install a voyager BC you would be well under the cost of the RF. Installing a hard wired brake control is not difficult. The hardest part is tapping the brake signal which comes from the CHMBL at either the LCM or in the harness in the rear of the car, I tapped into it at the rear because I had to install a trailer light module and plug on my truck. I suppose if you had the factory light harness it might be slightly easier going with the RF, however if you do have the factory harness you can pick all 4 of the brake control wires from the factory harness.


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[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by Lowblock

I have personally paired a single trailer module with up to three remotes one time without any problems. All the parts were brand new mind you, I can't say if a previously paired remote will pair with a second trailer module or not.

this is exactly what I was hoping to do... use ONE remote with two RF power modules... I dont think a remote can be un-paired once it is paired to a power module...

I can definitely see it being legit to put multiple remotes to one power module... but vice versa...not so apparently.
perhaps you can try it sometime since you have access to this a lot?

as for installing a P3... I wanted to but then I didn't want to have to splice into wires to be honest (even though I vae for my sub/amp addition... go figure).
I do enjoy the freedom of Prodigy RF no doubts tho.

[Lowblock]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

this is exactly what I was hoping to do... use ONE remote with two RF power modules... I dont think a remote can be un-paired once it is paired to a power module...



I can definitely see it being legit to put multiple remotes to one power module... but vice versa...not so apparently.

perhaps you can try it sometime since you have access to this a lot?



as for installing a P3... I wanted to but then I didn't want to have to splice into wires to be honest (even though I vae for my sub/amp addition... go figure).

I do enjoy the freedom of Prodigy RF no doubts tho.

Yeah, that I'm not sure about, there hasn't been any time we have ever had to do that, nor do I know if there will ever be a time. I cannot open a new retail product to experiment with I'm sure you know. I have seen remotes become unpaired with the trailer modules frequently and have to be re-paired. I would doubt that Tekonsha would take the time to put the technology to only allow the remote to pair with its shipping trailer module but I cannot swear to that. The reps have not ever mentioned any sort of theft deterrent to us as well. Generally when we install the trailer module, it's a semi-permanent fixture. It's usually tucked under battery trays, LP tanks or tool boxes and you have to actually look for the device or you don't even know it's there. I didn't think the general public could buy individual pieces except for the remote which is something that gets replaced frequently due to damage or loss or something. Where would have you bought only the trailer module?


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[Clockwork]

e-bay. a brand new power module only. $180 a few months ago... I didn't bite as I was worried it'd not be pairable...
So yeah if I need to buy another module for my other trailer, I'll just have to buy the whole ensemble new and be sure it works (then have two remotes in X5)