Brake Controller Needed?

[dpreynolds]

I've gone from towing a fifth wheel with a Ram to towing a Kodiak Cub with a Grand Cherokee (needed the downsize!). In the GC manual, it says I don't need a brake controller if the trailer has a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, but I DO need one if it has electronically actuated brakes. Anyone know what the Kodiak Cub has?
Seems like the manual you receive are so general that nothing gets that specific about what you have actually purchased.
Thanks in advance!

DR.

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by dpreynolds

I've gone from towing a fifth wheel with a Ram to towing a Kodiak Cub with a Grand Cherokee (needed the downsize!). In the GC manual, it says I don't need a brake controller if the trailer has a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, but I DO need one if it has electronically actuated brakes. Anyone know what the Kodiak Cub has?
Seems like the manual you receive are so general that nothing gets that specific about what you have actually purchased.
Thanks in advance!

DR.

Surge actuated will have the braking mechanism visible on the trailer tongue. Similar to this on my boat trailer. The tongue will actually move slightly to actuate the brake system

[dpreynolds]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Surge actuated will have the braking mechanism visible on the trailer tongue. Similar to this on my boat trailer. The tongue will actually move slightly to actuate the brake system Attachment 7260

That definitely makes THAT easy to tell. Thanks for the response!

[dsol]

Surge brakes are ver common on boat trailers and not sure I have ever seen on a travel trailer.

[Grizzly660fan]

I would bet that the RV has electric brakes and another indicator will be what type of connection is made between the RV and the truck?

Surge brakes common on boats or single axle trailers with NO brakes most commonly use the 4 flat connector and RV's that have electric brakes will use the 7 round connector.

I have been a fan of the Tekonsha P3 electric brake controller for years but recently changed over to the Redarc Tow Pro unit.

The thing I liked in the Redarc is the brain is remote mounted out of sight and the only thing visible is the knob to activate and set the brake settings. I find the performance and features the same between the two companies. I am not sponsored and don't have any financial interest in either company.

Also, if the Jeep has a tow package from the factory there is likely a socket hidden somewhere under the dash or behind a front kick panel that is already wired to the tail for the 4 flat and 7 round connectors and you can buy (if you choose) a pigtail pre wired from the Jeep to the Redarc or Tekonsha so you don't have to splice any wires.

I hope that info helps? Good luck!

[Wgjr]

Make sure to get a "proportional" controller NOT timed.