As far as I'm aware, proportional brake controllers brake your trailer proportionally to how hard the vehicle is braking (they brake as soon as the vehicle brakes - so yes, fully automatic). You still have to set the initial brake gain before departing after changing the load on the trailer - but there's no time delay to configure. You only just dial in the gain for how heavy or light the trailer is running so you don't lock up the brakes on an empty trailer, or vise versa, have no brakes on a loaded trailer. It uses an accelerometer to detect how hard you are braking and relays the same brake force to the trailer - Provided you have configured your brake gain to the trailer weight properly. When you step on the brake pedal, depending on how hard you brake - the controller will automatically send the appropriate brake pressure to keep the trailer in line. There are videos available that demonstrate how to set your brake gains properly. Proportional brake controllers are much nicer than time-delay controllers because you get exactly the braking you chose for every situation - Not sudden and delayed brake forces or having to intentionally chose lighter brake forces for comfort. You get what you need - when you need it.

When the brake controller is in proportional mode, the Park Brake Feature will smartly reduce the brake controller output if the trailer brakes aren’t required to hold everything in position. When having a stationary inspection the controller can be changed the User Controlled mode, and then swapped back to the Proportional mode when the test has been completed.

a reply by them would be nice

@@chilliburn1 Wouldn't hurt to contact their product support through appropriate channels rather than on their youtube...

Hi Cheyne, thanks for your comment. When using the pigtail to wire the TowPro into the vehicle, you would need to add a diode in the Red wire to stop this feedback and warning lamps coming up on the dash. Using our Toyota specific harness would indeed fix this issue as it does have a diode already pre-installed in-line with this wire. Otherwise, source a 7A rated diode and solder/crimp it in-line on the red wire and you will be good to go. Please do let us know if we can help further.

Hi Adam, Turning the dial will adjust the desired output braking force with or without the brake applied. If the brakes are not applied however, you will not feel the result of your adjustment until they are applied once again, or the manual override is depressed.

Hi there, thanks for your comment. What you are describing there is the ‘blue breathing’ feature of the unit, which indicates the Tow-Pro has a power supply to it but it is not detecting a trailer connection. It is best to check over the wiring from the trailer plug on the rear of the vehicle to ensure there is proper continuity between the Tow-Pro, right through to the trailer brakes at the wheel hubs. There sounds like a loose connection potentially in your case.

Either mode will do the job fine, so if you operate in proportional mode ‘BLUE’ LED and it's setup, reversing is no different in terms of application. As the operator, if you want full control then you have the option to use user control if required.

In Canada boat trailers have their own brake controller built in, no in vehicle brake controls needed.

Hi Aaron, thanks for your comment. Indeed you are correct, Tow-Pro needs a constant battery feed to retain the calibration once its been learned. The unit itself with no trailer connected draws less than 5mA in standby, so would have minimal effect on the battery. Any further questions please feel free to touch base with our Tech Support Team on 1300 REDARC.

@@REDARCElectronics thankyou that's good to know. Thankyou and keep up the good work

Hi JRogers, thanks for your comment. The main differences between the Tow-Pro Elite and the Tow-Pro Liberty are the two modes that are in-built: The Elite model offers a smooth Proportional mode (On-Road applications) and also a User Control mode (more Off-Road application), so you can really tune up the braking for the driving conditions. The Liberty model only has the Proportional mode, so is practically suited for highway cruising generally. The Remote Head is a little more compact on the Elite model, but otherwise both offer the same ‘no knee-knocking’ installation and a factory like finish. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact our helpful Tech Support Team.

The Tow-Pro is required to have a brake trigger signal, either from the brake pedal switch or Pin 6 in your trailer socket. For older vehicles, the pedal switch can be appropriate, but in newer vehicles with CANBUS type systems, the trailer socket with our Encapsulated Protection Device (EPDK-001) is required.

@@REDARCElectronics thanks for the quick reply! My car is a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu LT.

@@REDARCElectronics EPDK is just a well put-together diode setup?

Hi @@MikeJrOfficial the EPDK is indeed an encapsulated protected diode assembly. It is suitably rated, mounted on a heatsink to ensure safe heat dissipation and has superior weather protection. If you would like to find out more about this product review this handy hint www.redarc.com.au/why-use-the-redarc-encapsulated-protection-device

@@REDARCElectronics I tried to phone you guys about a question, are you taking calls right now? 10:35EST which I think is 12:35 ACST?

Thanks for watching, Tony. The main difference between the two modes is how the braking voltage is applied to the trailer/vans brakes. In proportional mode, the power is ramped up in proportion to how hard the vehicle is braking (sensed on inertia) and can therefore either be very smooth or very harsh. In the user controlled mode, the output is quite linear and is applied straight to the set level of the gain on the knob, not as smoothly. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact our friendly Tech Support Team on 08 8322 4848.