*Hi Folks! We've had a few of you comment to advise the Primus IQ does provide braking in reverse now. We're well aware of that. Note the posting date of this video back in 2016. A few advances have improved the Primus IQ and made it easily the best buy in brake controllers now. Remember these videos don't automatically "evolve" over time, and thank you for making sure we always have accurate information available!*

I'm having that "Ah Ha" moment. Purchased the Primus IQ today and I really didn't know how they worked. This was very helpful. Thank you.

Hey Josh, so glad you had this tutorial on brake controllers and the Primus in particular. (I’m a newbie at trailers with brakes) I was taken in a circle around the dealers lot with no explanation as to what/when/ how to adjust the controller. He set it at 12 and that was it. Hell, I didn’t even know that it was volts!! And frankly I understood you much more than the instruction pamphlet. Nerdly yours, Johnny 🥸

Liked & subscribed! I’m getting a tow package installed tomorrow and went with the P2 based on KZfaq trailer owners recommendations. Now, thanks to this awesome video, I comprehend the choices and am confident in my selection! Thank you!

Had no clue how these worked, all I knew was I was going to need one. Great information. Thanks!

Thank you for this video! Getting into towing and this video made it alot more sense and, to quote you on this, that light bulb went off and I feel alot more confident and understand more deeply about brake controllers!

Thanks for another great education video Joshua!!!!! I had no idea how LITTLE I knew about brake controllers!!!! Now I have more knowledge!!! :)

Thank you sir! Born into being a auto technician basically but never fully understood the functions/ theory until now, I’m a hands on/ visual learner, this helped me further understand these controllers instead of wiring them in and sending someone on their way. I can now further explain and help them get better handling characteristics because of this video. Appreciate you taking the time to explain!

Funny I find your videos 6 years old. We just had you comment on my post

Very informative! Thanks for putting this out there for people who tow trailers can see! I LOVE your video's.

Finally someone explained it so I can understand! Thanks...

Love the prodigy p2 I have one in 3 different truck! Absolutely love that unit!

Very informative video Josh. Only found out the requirement for a brake controller about a week prior in early August 2017 for my planned maiden voyage with our new 2017 compact RV camper TT that had gotten few months prior. The RV salesman never mentioned anything about a BC or the need for a BC. My 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T came with the factory tow pkg. option but no BC and not set up for Plug N Play installation. So spent just over $408 for parts and labor (about 2 hours) to install a Tekonsha Prodigy 2 BC. The BC itself was$128, labor $196, rest for needed connecting parts, shop supplies, and tax. The Prodigy 2 works well and easy to use with my DGC.

Good video. The Tekonsha Prodigy 2 has performed well for me. Brake controllers are pretty simple to calibrate when you learn how to use the manual brake lever.

Thank you for the education.

Very helpful. Thanks Josh!

Excellent video once again! I have the P2 and now fully understand the deal. :)

Great video! I think this should be revised and released again. You truly did a nice job.

Great video! Getting ready to purchase my first pop up. Thanks for the great info!

Very informative! Thank you.

Thank you for explaining this!

Josh--your vids are very helpful. I may be worth the drive from SE Michigan to Coldwater. Thanks.

A little late to the comments. But the Voyager is a proportional brake controller. I have one and it works great. The big downside is that its not self leveling. Meaning you must level the internal sensor with the left hand knob. Its a pain because I remove my dash time to time and always have to calibrate it before use. I would always recommend a self leveling like the P2 or P3s. Great overall video.

Great video as always. The Primus IQ now does braking in reverse according to tekonsha. Based on their info, the prodigy gives one more axle and electric over hydraulic ability.

great inside in to the world of break controllers

Thanks! I'm one of those who didn't know what a trailer brake was for, but I did remember the movie The Long Long Trailer with Lucille Ball...

Hi, Josh. I realize I'm kinda late to the party on this video, but you left out the availability of plug-and-play wiring adapters for vehicles with factory tow packages. In particular, the Prodigy P2 could be installed with the available "pocket" brackets, couple that with the plug-and-play wiring adapters, and that controller could be used in multiple vehicles with multiple trailers. Great videos, and we'll be sure to come see you when it's time for the next chapter in our RV story.

When i went to a local trailer and towing company to get a break controller and they would only recommend or sell the Prodigy. My brother owned a construction company and his vehicles all had the Prodigy.

Got the Prius iq really improves my braking,thanks for the info needed this info before I ordered.

aha light buuulb. Thanks Josh bro. ur the best.

Thanks for a very informative vid.., as are all the others you do! I'm thinking about the either the Rockwood A214 or a Forest River R-Pod. I'll be towing with a 2016 GMC Canyon with a factory towing package. Is that prewired for a brake controller?

Thank you for your time addressing my question. I have a 2018 Ram 1500. It has tow package with a 7 prong plug. Been towing 25' River Forest. I loved the braking system. Traded my Forest River in and now tow a 2019 25' Mallard. Dealer would not let me leave the lot without installing a brake assist switch. Was told that Ga. DOT required switch, Been pulling trailers around Ga. for 25 yrs. That does not in anyway make me a pro. When I towed the Forest River for a year braking was perfect. Now that switch is very very grabby with my Mallard. I continually have to adjust the settings. I don't have an issue with the money spent. what would happen if I took it off. needs to be moved anyway. It's down by my gas pedal. Installer was a bit short with me because I didn't want cutting of wires on the truck. But he wouldn't give my keys to leave. All good. You are the pro's. Just push me in the right direction. Thank you for your time reading my question and thank you for your advice. You provide a great service to the viewers of your videos.

Thank you once again

I knew what these were but had no idea that there were different types or how they operated. Good info!

We are planning on renting a few different types of trailers before making a purchase to see which kind we prefer. If we got one like that last wireless controller, would that be better, especially if we expect to get a newer tow vehicle in a few years? And thx for a nice video that explains how each type works. 😎

Thank you for the clear ez to understand video!! Now I understand all the confusing info I have gathered leaving in state of huh?! Question: My van has an old brake controler installed from previous owner, meaning no volt screen, just the dial and LED light. I don't trust it. Can the control box just be swapped out or am I looking at rewiring? (7way works per lights, e-brake untested-current pop up no brakes 1,800#'s, I know dragging a pop can lol)

good video

Hi Josh. Which brake controller would you recommend for a Highlander / Geo Pro 15TB combination, long distance towing, a few times per year? Open to models other than Bluetooth (adding wiring is ok). Thanks for the videos - you are a great teacher!

Thank you for posting this. Has anyone ever said your voice sounds similar to John Cryers?

Most useful trailer brake video I've seen. Thanks! Have you done something similar with weight distribution hitches? Might have missed it

Great video man, thanks for the info

Great explanation

Thank you Josh for this video info. Your the best.

I love it! I have a trailer package, what’s a brake controller! 🤪🤪🤪. I’m not being ugly here after all since starting this camping thing I’ve gone through three trucks ( 18/19/20) in as many years to get the right combination to tow our present and future camper (on order at Jayco)! Advice is to fully investigate the tow-er as well as the tow-ee! 😀😀😀 remember if it’s under 10,000 GVWR a 1/2 ton with the HD tow package including a extra large cooling system and at least a 3.42 rear end is mandatory otherwise get yourself a 3/4 ton.

I have the Primus IQ. It is awesome.

I just learned the answer to a question i never knew i had: why farm trailers sometimes skip to a halt

I'm a bit puzzled as to how the unit works. When the manual button is not pushed in, and I step on the brakes (12V on red wire to the unit) the output to the trailer brakes is only around 3V to 4V maximum. So how does the thumbwheel adjustment with the manual button depressed affect the normal output when the vehicle brakes and not the manual override is used?

What are thoughts on Redarc brake controllers?

Josh, we have a weight distribution combo sway control hitch from the dealer. Everything was done to speck by our dealer. We are first time RV Trailer owners. I feel the dealer should test drive it. Our plan is to drive from Erie Pa to Jacksonville Fl. Again your thoughts???

Hi Josh thanks for the info! Question, my little Winnebago Winnie single axle pulls to one side while braking and I’m noticing brake dust on one rim as allowed to the other. Would this be a brake controller issue?

Most trucks come with the wiring harness installed under the dash to plug the brake controllers right in.

Have a 1 ton 93 Chevy, which has the big block engine bought it for pulling a 7,000 lb. camper. But I don't like the brake control, it's old has a knob on right sides and left side generally I keep it turned down to where the trailer isn't doing much braking. Just wondering if I should try to up grade the controller. (grandkids get in and pretty sure they played with it had it turned way up, which I turned way back down)

When I was a kid I just put a momentary switch in. Driving across Canada in a snowstorm. No bullshit, Just pay attention.

Josh.. how do you rate the break controllers that are factory installed in the Ford F-150.

Great video, how much should I expect to pay for installation on a brake controller?

Good video but could you do one showing how to set the brake controller properly.

Thanks for all the information which one do you recommend for 4000 lb trailer Thanks

I used to drive a Tennant around on a trailer and the trailers brakes were controlled by the force exerted on the trailer ball as it braked. Are all popups over 2000 lbs controlled by electric brakes?

Have you done a review on the anderson wd hitch?

Thank you. Now I know how it works. The installer told me it is automatic, have nothing to worry about. HA.

I just bought a Toyota Tundra and I noticed it came with that. I have no clue what to do with it. I done even have a trailer and don’t think I will (at least I have no plans for one). Does it affect anything? Does it need to be off?

I have a Prodigy that's over 20 years old. This last trip I use it SH was the code it was showing; What does that mean and how do I figure out what I need to do?

Josh...does a RV trailer have more than one type of brakes? applied by fluid or just electric ?

Hmmm... I am at the point of buying a European horse trailer (with its own braking system) because I have "gone thru" three Tekonsha Primus brake controllers on my 2015 Tundra (installed at Toyota). My last resort might be that last product so that I can bypass the Tundra's towing harness which might be the problem, although the dealer changed that as well.

My friend was fiddling with the buttons on mine. I have know clue about them should I be concerned?

Timer based controllers are awful. They ramp up trailer braking based on the brake light switch tripping. If you are easing up on the brake pedal, it is still ramping up the trailer braking. Accelerometer based proportional controllers are much better, at least they are able to apply more or less trailer braking based on how hard the tow vehicle is stopping. Some can respond to bumps with surges of trailer braking (when the controller is active-brake light switch on). There were two brands of controllers, Maxbrake and Brakesmart, that varied trailer braking in proportion to solid state pressure transducer (doesn’t displace fluid) that you installed in the tow vehicle brake line. There were very expensive (up to like $450), but amazingly smooth. Trailer brakes respond exactly and instantly to the amount of brake pedal pressure, and work as seamlessly with the tow vehicle as the front and rear axles of a car work together when not towing. My last RV, a 40’ triple axle, would stop almost like the trailer wasn’t there. Unfortunately neither brand is still with us, as far as I know. I think people were shocked by the price, but having pulled a lot of heavy trailers with different controllers, when I got one I was astounded at how smooth and how powerful electric drums could be.

Does Bish install P3 brake controllers at the dealership? Can they do it on a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?

Thoughts on the Curt Echo?

Do you have to have 12v power coming from the truck to trailer?

Hi How much is to have the primus controller and convert my 4 pin to 7 pin. 2007 ford escape.

Hi -- I have a break controller -- tekonsha - voyager from 12/97 -- will it still work on a new 2023/24 travel trailer -- would there be an need to update and put a newer break controller

So how does the rf get power?

where does the prodigy 1 fit in

in june 2020 the Primus IQ brakes in reverse

The voyager B C is not a timer, It is proportional

Thank you! I had no idea that the numbers were the voltage. Ah hah!

Good day josh, what is your opinion on reese trailer brake controllers? I use one in my 2008 grand cherokee diesel.

My husband and I recently purchased an R-pod 2016 179. We took it for a drive and noticed this push pull thing happening when driving say at speeds around 45mph.Is this normal? We spoke to our dealer and they didn't really have an answer. We have a Nissan Frontier truck with after market brake control from the dealer. Your thoughts Josh??

Min 4:50: what are "breaks in reverse" and why is that popular?

Hi Josh, do you think my Lexus RX 350 rated at 3500 towing capacity is a serviceable tow vehicle for a 2500lb dry weight 350lb tongue weight casita? Casita said I am fine as long as I use a WDH. They recommended Andersen no sway WDH. I like to hear from an expert. Thanks in advance.

At about 3 min u mention the Primus is a top seller then at about 5 min u say u have only sold one primus? Know this video is dated. I am about to take a friends 5500 lb trailer only about 30 miles with 2010 Tacoma. However as pull into campground relatively steep grade. So trying to pick an adequate controller with 7 pin. Has tow pkg and looks like just need to hook up under dash

The tekonsha voyager is proportional

Watched this vid in search of answers. Ford F250 hauling a fifth wheel. Dash keeps dinging with a "Trailer Fault" message. RV guys say it's the truck. Ford guys say it's the trailer. Meanwhile, we are stuck for answers before we can haul it home.

What’s the average life span for these?

Where's the most popular controller out there...the P3!!!?? Lol

I’m just trying to figure out why any dealership would sell a truck with a tow package and not put one on it🤷‍♂️😡 just saying, it frigen happened to me👎

Whatever my 02 Ford has is a pos junker