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I don’t think Bluetooth brake controllers use your phone at all- it is just a wireless communication link between the controller in the car and the trailer. Beyond that, I have no experience. My 2008 Classic (dry weight just over 1400 lbs) did not come with brakes.

I'd recommend you get a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller.? A lot of us have that and it works well.? But whatever you get, make sure it's a proportional controller.? Those work much better than the non proportional ones.

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I wouldn't get a Bluetooth controller.? Those don't actually use wireless to engage the brakes.? The way they work is you plug the 7 way trailer plug into the controller, which is mounted on the trailer, and then there's another plug from the controller that you plug into the vehicle.? That allows the controller to sense when both the right and left taillight brake lights come on, and it activates the brakes when that happens.? ?But when you turn on your flashers because you're going slow either up or down a steep grade, not only does it go flash ... flash ...? flash, it goes brake ... brake ... brake too.? You can disable the brakes with a setting on your phone so you can use the flashers, but do you really want to be messing with your phone on a steep grade, and do you want to disable your brakes going down a grade???

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The one plus factor for a wireless controller is all the controller hardware is on the trailer.? So if you want to tow the trailer with multiple cars, you only need to buy one controller and then any tow vehicle works for brakes using the same controller.

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Another argument given for wireless controllers is they are easier to install.? But that's not really true.? For most cars, to install a wired controller, you buy the cable that has one end that plugs into the car, and the other end plugs into the controller, and that's not a difficult install.? Plus if you get the controller installed by a shop, the extra cost of the wireless controller will be more than including installation of a wired controller.

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Another argument made against wireless brake controllers is that sometimes you'll be in an area with interference of the Bluetooth signal, and you'll lose communication with the controller.? But that only means you can't adjust the controller settings.? Your brakes still work.? So that's no big deal.

I have a “wireless” brake controller a ‘22 Classic that I tow with a 1/2 ton Silverado with heavy duty brakes. The brake setup is VERY easy plug and play. I’ve never used my flashers while towing but it is easy to deactivate for that issue and does not disable the brakes only slightly delays their action. ?Whether your phone is hooked up or not does not affect the brakes in normal operation. The only downside is that the brakes always respond the same way. I have the brakes tuned very low so that the trailer doesn’t try to slow the truck under typical light braking. ?Maximum output 5/100 and sensitivity 2/9. I’ve not had any issues towing in the mountains or with emergency stops ?from 70mph. My TV is a bit of an overkill so my experience may not directly relate to yours. I will be replacing my TV at some point and may look into getting one with the electric brake controller built in.

JoeS

I tow a 2015 ALiner Expedition with a 4Runner.
The Redarc Tow Pro Liberty wired controller works well, ?was easy to install. Mark

Bruce,

I used a wireless brake controller on my Aliner in the past. It was an 'AuTowBrake' brand. It worked very well, but the main disadvantage was the braking with 4 way flasher use. A nice thing about this controller is that if you tow the trailer with a vehicle with a wired brake controller, it senses that and disables the wireless one. Nice, too is that it is permanently attached to the trailer, so nothing to hook up each time you use it. That is also a negative, since it requires installation- time consuming for you or expensive if you hire someone to do it. But the biggest disadvantage of this is its price. It is $480!

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The CURT Echo wireless controller ( ?) works similarly with a much lower price point. It is simply plug'n'play. However, it requires room to fit it between the connectors. It may be subject to damage when cornering or backing up. The brake pulsing with 4 way flashers can be disabled temporarily and can be done with a dedicated button- .

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I am going to go with this unit for my new truck and trailer combo.

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Thanks to all who have commented on my inquiry, it is very helpful, but most importantly, has made me realize I know nothing about towing a trailer and need to educate myself on all the options for choosing a braking system and finding a dependable shop that can install it properly.?? My wife and I just retired and plan on traveling thru the western states this Spring from Mexico to Canada in our soon to be purchased A-Liner and I want to make sure we do so safely (we worked too hard and long not enjoy our retirement in one piece).

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Happy trails to all!

Bruce, since you're new to trailers, here's the quick list of mistakes to avoid:

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Never run a propane fridge when the trailer is not level.? That can ruin it, requiring complete replacement, and those things aren't cheap.

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Do not run trailer tires until the tread is worn out.? Replace them before 5 years even if the tread is good.? If you buy a used trailer, check the date stamps on the tires and replace if 5 years old.? Old tires can blow out, and a chunk of broken tread whirling around the wheel can tear out a big chunk of the trailer floor, and if that happens in the spring when the rv repair shops are real busy, you can lose most of the camping season.

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When connecting your trailer to a water faucet via a hose, always put a water pressure regulator on between the faucet and the hose.? Some campgrounds have very high water pressure for fire fighting, and that can burst your plumbing or hose.? I can say from experience a burst hose is quite spectacular :-).

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Don't set up the trailer in a big wind from behind.? That can blow over the front roof.? Point the trailer into the wind for setup.??

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If you buy from a dealer, try and buy local.? Especially with new trailers, there will be some initial defects the dealer will fix, and you don't want that to require a long drive.??

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Be sure to camp out locally before you go on your big trip.? Hopefully camp out in a rainstorm too, so you can check for leaks.? You don't want to find problems when you're in the middle of nowhere.

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I have the curt Bluetooth echo brake controller for over 4 years. After getting it set to proper brake voltage and sensitivity, I don't use the app. The brake controller remembers the last setting it had. ? Put over 13,000 miles on the brake controller plugged into 2 vehicles and it has worked. Most of the time without the phone connected. Only time I have it connected is if I'm testing or adjusting. ? I keep the the trailer breaking on the gentle side to prevent lockup even in wet conditions.?

Bruce,

I too was new to towing, other than borrowed/rented small trailers. We got our Classic September of ‘22 and went on a few short more local trips. The following fall we went on a 9,000 mile 2 month trip from Ohio north through MN, ND, MT, ID to the Oregon coast to visit a new grandson. The return trip went through TX to visit friends and to GA to visit the other grandkids. We stayed mostly in state parks and national forest campgrounds. You’ll want to make it your own, ?with modifications before you take an extended trip. I highly recommend a rear view camera, we have a wireless Bluetooth one with its own monitor. The other thing to consider is that cell signals can be fleeting. ?We also used an old school Garmin gps along with google maps.?
Enjoy,

JoeS

I have been using a very simple and inexpensive POD break controller from Reese for the last 10 years.? It has no digital read out just simple controls. Plug and play for my Tacoma that took about 1/2 hr to install. Very dependable.

I didn't feel I had room to mount a traditional brake controller up front, thus the reason I went for bluetooth.? I didn't want to gouge my knee on it under the dash.??

To get around the issues mentioned such as, curt hanging out the back getting bumped/tight turns and the 4 way flasher brake pulsing, I got a work around.? I mounted an extra trailer connector in the rear fuse box area in the equinox and in the spare tire area of the Pacifica.? The curt sits inside, no weather and not hanging out the back.? I only plug it into the trailer side of the curt and talked to curt about the wiring.? I feed the center brake signal into both the left/right turn signal of the controller eliminating the 4 way flasher issue.? Feed 12 V into it through a relay that only powers the curt when engine is on.? Then wired the brake output signal to the tow connector on the bumper.? Works great and need nothing up at the dash other than my phone which is already on the dash for HereWeGo GPS app (allows downloads of entire continent so you still have maps if no cell coverage).? I can move the brake controller between the 2 cars easily or plug into any at the bumper.? Never a need to buy a new brake controller when changing cars.

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Curt did come up with a new version that is meant for mounting similar to the way I did in the last couple years.??

Hi all, the Redarc Tow Pro Liberty actually comes with a switch that inserts into unused dashboard pop out switch area.?
This is illustrated well via their You Tube videos-no extra space, knee or foot issues.

mark

I'm in the Prodigy 2 camp.? I love it, and I actually use the easily accessible manual brake lever.? FWIW, I have a 2009 Off Road Classic with one hard dormer, and two propane tanks.? After a tranny overheat issue, I weighed it.? It weighed in at 2150 pounds with minimal camping gear inside.? We were towing with a 2000 pound capacity vehicle.? We now have 3500 pound capacity and have had no issues.??

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Don DeRyke
Sunrise, Florida

2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.?
Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.

This site is fantastic, such a wealth of information and advice from personal experiences; thanks to all!? And thank you Steve T for you valuable insights of "what not to do"? as a newbie to towing a camping trailer. You obviously are speaking thru personal experience and your advice will spare me from learning the hard way.

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Cheers,

-bruce