I'm getting ready to put a brake controller on my 4runner, but I'm trying to decide which style to get. The two the I have seen either tap into your light sensor on the brake pedal to get the 'stop' signal, or they have ones that operate just off the inertia of your vehicle slowing down. The later sounds more prone to malfunction, but the guy at the parts store says thats how all of them are nowadays.


Does anyone have any opinions on the matter? I was hoping to spend $50-70 at the most, because I do so little towing when I'd actually need it. Not worth spending $100+ IMHO.

 

Well, I have the one that taps into the brake wires... Seems to work fine for once in a while towing, it has a sensitivity dial so you can turn it up if towing a lot, or all the way down if just an empty trailer... I have never heard of these "inertial" brake controllers, but mine works just fine.

A friend of mine has a big cummins dodge he uses to haul a 10,000+ lb toy hauler trailer... he has a brake controller that taps into the wires too. Suppose that might say something since he has no problems.

 

Just in case I'm just misunderstanding what I'm reading, here is a link to one that talks about "proportional braking". I'm assuming that's that inertia style that I was told about. I feel comfortable with the brake wire tap stlye, its just that the local parts store only has the other style, and if it is better at all, its worth looking into.

Oops, here's the LINK


Thanks for the input!

 

I have no complaints with the Reese Digital Brakeman (same as Drawtite Activator II). It taps into the brakelight and applies power to the trailer brakes. Power ramp rate and maximum values are independently adjustable, and it has a manual override.

 

I have a Prodigy brake controller and I love it. Do a search, you will find that it is the most preferreed among towing RV and camper people. You can usually find it online for around $100 to $110.