Trailer brake controllers

slide187 · May 10, 2020

Hi gents, so I’ve searched and found a few threads on the factory ITBC and see that it cannot be added. Sucks but that’s fine. So I’ve been looking at the threads for the aftermarket ones. Of which most are 2ish years old.

I wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience with this one:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/GMC/Sierra+1500/2018/C51180.html?VehicleID=201883188

It looks pretty slick, and It’s allegedly the most popular one on etrailer. What i like about it is you don’t have to drill/mount/wire anything. You just plug this into your 7-way, plug the trailer into it, then pair it with your smaaahtphone, and it works on the bluetoofs. Not crazy expensive, but not super cheap either. But I like that it can be just Unplugged and packed in the tow kit when not in use.

There’s a demo of the app at the link above. But it can be proportional and immediate. And you can set profiles for different trailers and stuff.

Any opinions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jscottl · May 10, 2020

1 hour ago, slide187 said:

Hi gents, so I’ve searched and found a few threads on the factory ITBC and see that it cannot be added. Sucks but that’s fine. So I’ve been looking at the threads for the aftermarket ones. Of which most are 2ish years old.

I wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience with this one:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/GMC/Sierra+1500/2018/C51180.html?VehicleID=201883188

It looks pretty slick, and It’s allegedly the most popular one on etrailer. What i like about it is you don’t have to drill/mount/wire anything. You just plug this into your 7-way, plug the trailer into it, then pair it with your smaaahtphone, and it works on the bluetoofs. Not crazy expensive, but not super cheap either. But I like that it can be just Unplugged and packed in the tow kit when not in use.

There’s a demo of the app at the link above. But it can be proportional and immediate. And you can set profiles for different trailers and stuff.

Any opinions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Get a in cab controller for lot cheaper. Should be harness in glove box for it. Just plugs in under dash down by ya feet

HoosierZ · May 10, 2020

Personally, I wouldn’t feel safe trusting my safety to a Bluetooth connection. I went with the Reese Compact IQ. The controllers under the dash look terrible and are a pain to reach the manual override.

Ferrari Eater · May 10, 2020

5 minutes ago, HoosierZ said:

Personally, I wouldn’t feel safe trusting my safety to a Bluetooth connection.

True, don't want it to lose connection all of a sudden due to someone in the next lane trying to get free wifi.

slide187 · May 11, 2020

Hahaha thanks for the opinions guys. Esp that last one. [emoji23][emoji1787] but you’re right. Bluetooth connectivity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Not to mention if thee opposite were to happen and for some reason the app/phone sends the manual lockup signal for some buggy reason while you’re goin 70 on the highway. That would be not great.

This redarc one I actually like a lot as it’s unobtrusive and the part you mount already looks like a knob in the truck. It’s proportional, with settings and a driver control mode as well as a manual button.

https://www.etrailer.com/multi-product.aspx?pc1=331-EBRH-ACCV2&pc2=3016-S&VehicleID=201885581&HHYear=2018&HHMake=GMC&HHModel=Sierra+1500

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NoLand · June 16, 2020

I’ve got the Redarc and it works great. Super unobtrusive, which is what I was going for. I spend a lot more time driving without a trailer than with one and didn’t want to be banging my knee into some box on the lower edge of the dash.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YukonXL04 · June 16, 2020

I have this one. hopkins insight it works great. I like having the display.

Mounted display in the cubby where the factory one is. And mounted the controller in the cubby next to the seat in the center console side. Easy access. The module for it is hidden in the kick panel of the console. You can get the plug and play harness for it too.