I was hoping for some advice on a good brake controller for a 2013 Subaru Forester. I am leaning towards a
- Tekonsha P3 Electronic Brake Control
On many posts (Subaru forums etc) there has been mention of the problems with wiring to the Subaru. So I thought a blue tooth. Also is there any thing else to get (besides the hitch)? I am new to trailer pulling so simple sentences please!
Thank you.
My Mechanic found it difficult to tap into the back up lights easily. I just told him I don't need back-up lights on the trailer. That's the only issue I had.
I didn't have any problems with having a controller installed on my 2013 Outback, but it did take my mechanic some time to do it. Since seeing the video on etrailer about the wireless controller I've decided that will be the way I go next time I need to add one to a vehicle.
Thank you for the info. Do you know if there is a special connector from the Subaru to the Scamp? Four prongs (Subaru) to seven (Scamp)? Is the connecting the two together why you did not have back-up lights?
Lola
I ordered a wiring kit from etrailer.com and gave it to my mechanic to install. Talk to the person you'll have do the work and see what they recommend. You will need to have a 7 blade connector on your vehicle. Mine includes a 4 pin connector (cover is down in the picture) next to my 7 blade connector since my utility trailer has a 4 pin connector. The whole thing is mounted to the left of hitch receiver under my bumper. (The receiver has a cover on it in the picture. My feeble attempt to keep our winter road chemicals from collecting inside.)
Thank you so much, that is what I needed to know!
Lola
You can get a seven pin to four pin adaptor at any place that sells trailer stuff. Walmart, Tractor Supply, Etc. It plugs into the seven pin receptacle on the TV and has a four pin receptacle.
There are kits available for easily connecting most (all?) new cars to a four pin trailer connector. They provide (1)parking lights,(2)right and (3)left brake/blinkers, and (4)a ground connection. These four wires can also be connected to the seven pin connector used by Scamp without much trouble. The problems begin when trying to find suitable connection points on today's computer controlled vehicles for the remaining three pins that Scamp and other trailers use: 12 volt power to the trailer battery, electric brakes, and trailer back-up lights. It can be done but requires more ingenuity on the part of the installer and varies by vehicle. These additional connection points are not usually included by manufacturers even with a towing package option.
From what I have heard, if you have Scamp (Evelands) install a brake controller on a Subaru, they will instead install this brake controller that does not require taping in to the brake light switch wire. There is no controller inside the tow vehicle and instead there is a portable keyfob. I think they only started installing this controller a month or two ago, and only if you are towing with a Subaru. I'm interested to see how this works out.
https://autowbrake.com/
We have returned from picking-up our 13’ Scamper (brake controller installed by the Scamp team) and towed with our 2013 Forrester. Everything worked like a charm, I could not be happier about the brake controller. Evidentially it works off of the brake lights along with some other more technical stuff }I don’t understand. The only hick-up was the non-working adapter I brought with us. I had purchased from NAPA an Adapter 4 to 7:4 part number 755-1842 (it was missing the grounding wire). We were sold an adapter that they had at Scamp. Personally i think the Scamp adapter looks much more solid, and I am very happy with it. Hope this helps you!
Lola
The people that recommend adaptors for hooking a seven-pin trailer cord to a 4 pin Tow vehicle have no idea what they are talking about. It only gives you lights to get it home. If you hook a 7 pin RV to a flat 4 pin tow vehicle you will not have 12 VDC, back up lights, or BRAKES. I’ve had two Tekonsha’s over the years and liked them both.
Pages