My 13' Scamp is still on order and as of right now, I've elected to purchase the wireless brake option. The concept seems slick, and coupled with the ease of changing tow vehicles, it seems to be an easy decision. However..... I keep hearing a voice in my head that wonders who in their right mind would trust wireless brakes?!
Help me out! If you've had experience with these wireless brakes, I'd like to hear about it.
Thanks!
Wireless is only for the key fob that adjusts the gain (sensitivity) and for manual braking action. The controller itself is mounted in the trailer, hard-wired to 12v power, brake lights, and the trailer brakes. The controller works regardless of the key fob.
Edit: I attached the fob to the dash with double-stick tape for convenance, and so it doesn't get lost.
Thanks Mr. T. Any idea on the battery life of the fob? So, if the fob's battery dies, the brakes would still work based on the most recent calibration done with the fob before it crapped out? Is that correct? Can replacement batteries be purchased anywhere batteries are sold?
Don't know how long the battery usually lasts in the key fob, and you're correct -- The controller remembers and works using whatever the last setting done with the fob.
The brake controller and key fob are made by Autotowbrake, here's a link to the key fob itself: https://getautowbrake.com/collections/all-products/products/key-fob-repl...
Contact info is at the bottom of the page, suggest asking them about fob battery life and replacement. I'd bet they get back fairly quick. You've got me curios as well, guessing the battery life is several years.
Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.
I'm new to trailing and have had my 13' for a little over a year. The controller works great. As others have said, it's only the fob that wireless. The unit is hardwired in the trailer and as I understand works on inertia. The harder you brake, the more it applies the trailer brakes. You can use the fob to manually apply brakes and to tweak the programming a bit. It is not required for the brakes to work. I've had the fob for 15 months. I'm guessing it'll be like car fobs except they get used much more frequently.
btw, AutoBrake customer service is stellar. I called because I was having a problem and they walked me through a diagnostic process. As they suspected, the battery had gotten very low (parked at a friends house for several weeks while work was being done on my house). Once it was charged, all the issues went away. They even proactively called me the next day just to make sure everything was working.
Tom
Thanks Tom!
I use the Curt wireless with my 2020 Ford Escape & 1998 16 Scamp and I think it's great. I got it because no one, including Ford or u-Haul wanted to hardwire a brake controller into a new vehicle! I got a similar story from BMW mechanics and U Haul re a 2006 BMW X3: they didn't want to wire into an older vehicle!! Just as well because it's adjustable, mobile, loanable and reliable. Great value.
i have a brand new extra if anyone needs one. $200 + shipping.
Sheri
Sheri aka FlyingBlueHeron