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the New Tow Pro will automatically throw the brakes on in an emergency faster than you would be able to - think it, react to it, and apply it
Sorry Col but the tow pro will not brake for you in an emergency as far as I am aware, only the AL-KO ESC would do that, and that is separate to the brake controller.
The tow pro is a good compact brake controller though I found it complicated to set up and hard to tell the different colour lights.
Let us know how you go cuppa.
GQ highmount, lockers, barwork, 3-Link front, long arms, V8, cage, duct tape, cable ties and 35's
Sorry Col but the tow pro will not brake for you in an emergency as far as I am aware, only the AL-KO ESC would do that, and that is separate to the brake controller.
The tow pro is a good compact brake controller though I found it complicated to set up and hard to tell the different colour lights.
Let us know how you go cuppa.
Advantages of the Redarc over the Tekonsha - more versatile installation IE the electronics can be at any attitude and remote to the user control
Advantages of the Tekonsha over the Redarc - better (much better IMHO) manual sway control or overide, simpler user interface and easily swapped from vehicle to vehicle as Tekonsha sell the wiring and cradle seperately if req'd.
Al-Ko ESC - isn't a true ESC in the full meaning of the term so, IMHO, the manuf is using a bit of advertising spin there. Basically it is an automatic version of the Tekonsha manual override.
Dexter - best of the bunch for anti sway as it is closest of the lot to a true ESC in that it uses yaw sensing and differential braking. Therefore, the trailer will track inside the vehicle path and not pull the arse end about as much as the Al-Ko or Tekonsha method.
Fairly expensive and complex tho.
Well, that is my understanding of it all at least...
Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
Advantages of the Tekonsha over the Redarc - better (much better IMHO) manual sway control or overide, simpler user interface and easily swapped from vehicle to vehicle as Tekonsha sell the wiring and cradle seperately if req'd.
the biggest is the cost................
I thought it was a phone number they were quoting, until I realised there was a $ sign in front if it
Tidy Whitey - 99 GU TD42Ti - Diesel Gas, (GUIV Turbo & Intercooler 8Lb boost), 33" Micky T's Baja MTZ's, Dual Batt's, Cargo Barrier, rear draws, HID Super Oscars, winch, Grinch & witch attached and more goodies to come
Advantages of the Redarc over the Tekonsha - more versatile installation IE the electronics can be at any attitude and remote to the user control
Advantages of the Tekonsha over the Redarc - better (much better IMHO) manual sway control or overide, simpler user interface and easily swapped from vehicle to vehicle as Tekonsha sell the wiring and cradle seperately if req'd.
Al-Ko ESC - isn't a true ESC in the full meaning of the term so, IMHO, the manuf is using a bit of advertising spin there. Basically it is an automatic version of the Tekonsha manual override.
Dexter - best of the bunch for anti sway as it is closest of the lot to a true ESC in that it uses yaw sensing and differential braking. Therefore, the trailer will track inside the vehicle path and not pull the arse end about as much as the Al-Ko or Tekonsha method.
Fairly expensive and complex tho.
Well, that is my understanding of it all at least...
Yep mate agree 100% on your statement on the tekonsha vs redarc.
I have had some experience with both the Dexter and ESC, they are both effective. I would say the ESC is actually better though, they both run accelerometers/gyroscope's to detect the yaw the difference is the dexter activates LH/RH brakes individually (like a car ESC) where as the Al-Ko activates both brakes at once. Since we are talking about caravans not cars however activating brakes individually is not a advantage because the main intention is to brake the van independent of the tow vehicle to reinstate stability in the system, this is more effective with both brakes applying.
Both are not cheap but very good insurance!
GQ highmount, lockers, barwork, 3-Link front, long arms, V8, cage, duct tape, cable ties and 35's
Gee cuppa, I would have thought the redarc was a preference, the tokensha is a pain to locate . We have tekensha p-3 prodigy? in our work vans and do all we need and well. The Ute has a simple, older version redarc. Purely because it has a remote knob to operate it. The new redarc has all the features and more of the tekonsha, so would work a treat.
Last edited by macca; 29th November 2014 at 09:18 AM.
I have seen Apollofish’s Tekonsha this morning. Mounting options & cost difference aside, it seems that, as others have already tried to tell me, that the only real difference compared to the Redarc Tow Pro is the Tekonsha’s ability to use the slide as a hand operated brake to control the van’s brakes independently of the tow vehicle’s brakes. This may be useful to those who tow vans through ‘serious’ 4wd situations on rare occasions, but for me with the relatively light weight & good towing characteristics of the Tvan I have my doubts as to whether it is a function that I would ever use. In those sort of situations a very light touch on the vehicle brakes (only enough to light up the brake lights as opposed to to retard the vehicle) will apply a preset braking force to the van, & I *think* that this preset force can be adjusted with the control knob during use, effectively giving the same function as the Tekonsha’s slider, but switched on & off with the braking foot.
Not being an experienced tow-er - at least nothing more than lightweight trailers, I have never had any need to control sway, & given that the Tvan is no heavier than many box trailers (850kg Tare) with sensible loading I still don’t expect sway to be an issue I will have to deal with. Towing it home last weekend I experienced what other Tvan owners report ..... “Wouldn’t know it was there”.
Cuppa
2006 4.2TDi ex-Telstra Remote area Camper. 425w roof mounted solar, 360Ah Aux batts, BCDC1240, Onboard hot & cold pressurised & filtered water, (25 litre hot water calorifier), ARB fridge, ARB freezer, Built in kitchen, heaps of easy access storage, 240v, 3” Genie exhaust + dynotune, 2” lift, 3900kg GVM upgrade, second glovebox, ROH Blaktrak steel wheels, Bridgestone D697's (now Toyo RT's), Redarc gauges/pillarpod, Hema HX-1, Icom 450 CB, dual rear view cameras, Onboard 30amp Victron mains charger, second glovebox, dual seat conversion, TPMS, Boss PX7 onboard air with 9 litre tank, 350w inverter, Steel bullbar, Harrop Eaton diff lock (front), Warn winch, Snorkel, Dual spares , 160 litre water tank, 180 litre fuel in two tanks (approx 1200km range) 2010 Tvan Tanami. (incl another 70 litre water tank) with matching wheels/tyres (& 3rd spare) A Nomadic Life (Blog)
Originally Posted by Bigcol
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