Trailer Brake Controller install

[rtelka]

Sure hope that is temporary...

My thoughts too!

 

[rtelka]

Couldn’t Jeep have included the trailer brake controller as an Trailer Tow Pkg option?

 

[Phoenix494]

But look at all the fun your having.
That does look like major surgery there.

Good luck on that install

 

[rtelka]

But look at all the fun your having.
That does look like major surgery there.

Good luck on that install

Dealer install. I just shook my head and asked "why not include this with the Tow Package?!?"

Warning sign #1 - controller ABS box was missing 4 screws to hold the 2 halves together.
Warning sign #2 - gain rotation and pressing the manual brake override doesn't "feel right".
Warning sign #3 - no green/red/white lights emitted on gain.
Warning sign #4 - with a simple LED 7-pin tester, I'm seeing LED light up on Pin 2 (trailer brakes) with brake depressed. Without brakes engaged I'm seeing a faint LED strobing on that pin... not sure if it's the controller doing a "diagnostics check"

Youtube videos seem to indicate that gain lights are there with trailer hooked up (green=connection, red=brake engaged). But I've also seen videos with green gain light without trailer.

A test this weekend will reveal all. Crossing fingers (yet again)...

Rob

 

[Sarge]

Wow. That's a lot of weirdness to contend with for something that's supposed to be 'plug and play', aside from installing the control knob. It's also exactly what I'd expect from a vehicle with so many random electrical faults, system-wide, like mine.

 

[enjen]

Nope! We opted not to drill but if done right would look good im sure.

Can you provide details of the box you mounted your redarc controller in? Make/model or link to where I can purchase a box like that?

 

[blaster9]

Can you provide details of the box you mounted your redarc controller in? Make/model or link to where I can purchase a box like that?

LeMotech 5 Pieces ABS Plastic Electrical Project Case Power Junction Box , Project Box Black 2.83 x 1.65 x 0.91 inch (72x 42x 23 mm) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F3Y8L95/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TKK66AB1YTJVE2MN7XQ6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Obo121]

So my 2022 GC limited did not come with the tow package. It has the tow prep package. I have installed the factory Mopar hitch and harness myself. However since it was not a factory tow package car there is no connector on the driver's side kick panel for the brake controller. In the wiring instructions for the factory brake controller it gives an option for connecting it to a Jeep without the factory tow package. I have attached the page where it shows behind the passenger side kick panel is the BCM. It refers to "B15" I'm assuming this means one specific wire is the signal wire from the brake switch for the brake controller. I just don't don't know what B15 means. Can anyone help?

 

[enjen]

I installed my Redarc brake controller today. After debating my preferred location for the remote head, I decided to install it in the drivers knee panel. I didn't want to install it in the cubby (though I prefer the look) because when I'm towing I will likely be using the 12v outlet, which would make it hard to access the knob in an sway emergency. So, I was inspired by blaster9's location, but decided to forgo the separate box and just mount it sideways right in the knee panel. Works for me -- it's fairly discrete but still very easy to access when driving. Seems to be well out of the way of our knees/legs.

 

[mic.rouills]

Did you use a redarc control harness? If yes what is the product number?

 

[enjen]

Did you use a redarc control harness? If yes what is the product number?

Yes, I did. Redarc's part number is TPH-004. I bought it from etrailer, and their part number is RED77FR, but I can confirm despite the different part number it is indeed the Redarc harness.

 

[JeepSailor]

So my 2022 GC limited did not come with the tow package. It has the tow prep package. I have installed the factory Mopar hitch and harness myself. However since it was not a factory tow package car there is no connector on the driver's side kick panel for the brake controller. In the wiring instructions for the factory brake controller it gives an option for connecting it to a Jeep without the factory tow package. I have attached the page where it shows behind the passenger side kick panel is the BCM. It refers to "B15" I'm assuming this means one specific wire is the signal wire from the brake switch for the brake controller. I just don't don't know what B15 means. Can anyone help?

I have same problem - cannot find factory plug for brake controller on driver side (maybe because I had the dealer install the wiring at the dealership). Did you ever figure out how to mate a brake controller to the Jeep non-factory installed wiring?

 

[mic.rouills]

What came out first? the cup holder or the uconnect.

 

[NeedAHitch]

I have same problem - cannot find factory plug for brake controller on driver side (maybe because I had the dealer install the wiring at the dealership). Did you ever figure out how to mate a brake controller to the Jeep non-factory installed wiring?

I’m in the same boat. Did y’all ever figure this out?

 

[NeedAHitch]

I have the WL summit reserve with the tow package. I had some of the same questions since I was taking delivery of a new RV. The dealer was helpful by suggesting a blue tooth enabled plug in brake controller you simply plug in to the rear 6 pin receptacle. You control it with your iPhone. I used it to tow my RV and it worked well. If you are interested I have one for sale at a good price. No drilling. No wires to hood up. Just plug in.

How has the Curt Echo held up for you? I’m in the market, but I read some scary reviews on Amazon about brakes locking up on the road. Thanks!

 

[Wisco-JGCL]

I’m in the same boat. Did y’all ever figure this out?

Seems we’re all here for the same problem. Has anybody found this yet?

 

[erdmanbr]

Where did you install your Tekonsha P3, and do you have pics? I'm trying to figure out where to install my Prodigy, but the sculpted cockpit and knee airbag are making it difficult to find a decent install point. The Prodigy is very particular to be mounted in-line to the direction of travel. Askew could be a problem.

Otherwise it's either Mopar (dealer still not sure it can be installed since it's not listed as an official GCL accessory), or Redarc. I'd like to keep the front 12V as the only other 12V is in the rear. And either of these 2 install options = massive console disassembly.

Couldn't Jeep have a $700-ish option to include the brake controller at the factory?!?

Thanks,
Rob

Finally using my trailer next weekend so I had to figure this out.

I had a few different ideas but settled on mounting it underneath the steering column so that it is out of the way of the airbag and won't be in a spot where I constantly kick it (which was a problem I had with my previous KL).

If you carefully pull the left side of the lower panel out you should have enough room to snake the harness through and under the steering wheel.

I like how clean it came out (I'll tuck some of the harness in better later) and that it is in an easily reachable spot -- I'm just not sure how well the mounting tape will hold. I'd rather not have to start drilling holes.

Pics attached.

 

[RichSNJ]

So I did some exploratory surgery today to see where I would install the Redarc, and I found what I think is the perfect spot, so I ordered it today.

I've decided to install it in the headlight control panel area, above the physical switch where the 4xe eco mode panel would reside in the WL74:



I'm surprised it is designed in such a way that I can do this, but after looking at the back, I feel there is plenty of room available:



I am a bit confused by this part however, if you look in the center of the white area, you see a connector with no pins in it, which actually has a wire plugged into it. It doesn't make sense that they would have wiring for the eco mode switch in the L and I'm not aware of any options that would go on that panel, so I have no idea what this wire would be for...?

Anyway, for those of you who have installed the Redarc already, where did you wind up putting the control box? I am leaning towards putting it where the mopar control box would be mounted, but will have to come up with some kind of method to secure it. The manual says not to use wireties to secure it, but I'm leaning towards that since wireties can be very strong and secure if installed correctly, and I'm not really sure how else I would be able to do it otherwise.

 

[RichSNJ]

I made a simple metal bracket to bolt the Redarc controller to solid structure right at the bottom of the kick panel. Don’t try to tywrap it in place or the accelerometer readings used for brake control can be inconsistent. Good luck!

Do you have a pic of your solution for the mounting bracket by chance? I'll probably be tackling this next week.

 

[Sarge]

What is the perceived upside to the Tekonsha P3 controller that makes it worth dealing with the size of it in the GC?

I've had P3's in various vehicles over the past 15-20 years and I know they're good, but the REDARC unit is so much easier to deal with re install locations (unlimited basically), and I really like the quick adjustability of the force (especially when dealing with a freshly unloaded boat trailer). In the P3 I have to either unplug my trailer lights, or hammer the little buttons 30 times to decrease the power so I don't lock up the brakes on the way to park it (which sometimes requires driving on 45 mph roads, not just 100' to a parking space).

Is there some reason some of you like the P3 over the REDARC so much? Having used both, I can't imagine bothering with the P3 mounting/location issues (mounting it where you can't even see it or quickly (to confirm settings/connection) or tap the e-brake slider at a glance).