Quote:
Originally Posted by SigurdHoy
I am new to this! - I have a 2009 TM2619 on order to be towed by a 2004 Sienna AWD van. I am having the hitch and transmission cooler installer on the van. Probably should have heavy duty turn signal relays installed as well. - My first question is what kind of brake controller would be recommended and how is the brake controller connected to the Sienna and/or installed in the Sienna. Would a heavy duty wire from the van to the TM battery as part of the connecting harness make sense?. - Would two batteries make sense? If so, is there room for two batteries? ----- SORRY ABOUT THE COMPOUND QUESTION. (I have a lot of questions floating though my mind in connection with this new venture!)
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I have the Valley Industries Odyssey brake controller. This is very similar to the Prodigy.
There are three types of brake controllers that I think seem to work well:
1. electronic solid state controllers that measure the rate of deceleration. Prodigy is one particular model. The Prodigy or similar is around $100.00.
2. Controller that measure the pressure of the brake fluid in the TV. This requires tapping into the brake lines. Many people are reluctant to do this. This type of controller seems to be popular with people that tow very large trailers 10,000+ pounds. This is likely overkill for a TM. This type of controller appears to cost around $350.00, as I recall.
3. Controller that attaches to the brake pedal of the TV with a wire. Somewhat like the brake cable for a bicycle. This also seems to be more popular with heavy trailers. As I recall, this type costs more than the Prodigy but less than the one that tapes into the brake line.
The very inexpensive controllers are usually a time delay device. The longer your foot is on the brakes the more braking power that is applied to the trailer. If your driving style is to apply the brakes gently for a long time as you approach a red light, this will result in the trailer brakes eventually being on much harder than the TV brakes, which might cause skidding. In a panic stop, the trailer brakes will lock up 5 seconds after you wanted them to.
Surge brakes are commonly used on boat trailers and not on camping trailers.
If you don't know what else to do, buy a Prodigy. Otherwise, spend some time researching the topic. I would never recommend any of the older style controllers, such as the time delay. There are others, I believe.
Regarding 12 volt wire to charge the TM battery: I have no problems with my stock factory setup. When I arrive at my destination the fridge is still cold and running on 12 volts and the pair of TM batteries have increased their charge.
I would not recommend changing the wiring on your TV until after you have determined that you have a problem. If it ain't broke then don't fix it. Measure it first.
I added a second battery to my TM. I almost never have shore power. I carry a generator to recharge as necessary. Usually about an hour per day or so. If you will always stay in RV parks where you plug in to shore power then just use a single inexpensive battery. You must have a battery because if there is no battery then the breakaway brakes will not function in a separation.