Trailer Brake Control & Tourmasters

[proost]

Reading the manual, I get this:

IMPORTANT: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for the operation at GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), NOT at GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). Towing capacity may vary by chassis model, floor plan, options, and loading of the recreational vehicle. This may result is a towing capacity which is less than the maximum capacity of the hitch. Do not exceed the vehicle’s GCWR or the hitch rating. A separate functioning brake system is required for any towed vehicle or trailer weighting more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) when fully loaded.

1. Are Tourmasters pre-wired for trailer brake control?
2. Has anyone done their own install and how easy was it?
3. Has anyone used a wireless brake controller like the Prodigy RF? That would be so handy because then I could take the controller to my tow vehicle when I need to move and use the trailer.

Thanks for the info and advice.

[Chuck v]

When I was towing with my 2007 Tour Master, I had an air brake system installed for the dingy as this allowed very proportional braking under all conditions. It also resulted in minimum wiring issues since the Tour Master chassis brakes are themselves air brakes. The quarter inch plastic lines are easily run in the toad (in our case a 2005 Acura MDX) and the little air cylinder that mounted in the driver's floor area was easy to set up and remove/store. I had all this work done professionally when I had purchased my tow bar and bases for the MDX and therefore was most comfortable that the system was complete and all components were compatible with each other.



I would not be able to give any experience-based input on electric brake controllers for a towed vehicle behind the coach, but expect a wireless one to be challenged by the 40 foot length through the rather substantial coach, etc. Perhaps other members here will chime in with their actual experiences... I have had many electric braking systems for small travel trailers and cargo trailers as used with my van and truck -- these are 'somewhat' proportional if you get a good one, but I have still had some exiting moments on icy downgrades in the past.


Chuck