mikapen

Now that I have found the green plug, wired a brake controller and everything works GREAT, I am looking for a good location to mount the controller without butchering my dash.
Any recommendations for or against a placement or method?
Thanks,
Mike
P.S. It's a 2010 ML, but the GL forum is where the trailer folks hang out....

Brocktoon

Mine is right above the brake pedal. It is a little low but I can still reach it.

stmeme

I found out (through trial and error) that the soft material used under the dash shrinks back around an empty screw hole leaving only a small mark. That is if you don't get it level the first time.

I placed mine under dash close to the drivers door.

mikapen

Do screws into the dash material give a solid mount? Better than stick-on velcro?

stmeme

My screws went through the “foam” front and into the plastic backing... so it’s definitely solid. ...of course I had to make sure I did not hit anything else back there either...

I never tried Velcro but I don’t think I would trust it. If the controller falls off (for whatever reason) and hit’s the floor I would be afraid that the sudden deceleration would cause it to apply the brakes on the trailer?

mdadgar

No, the controller will only apply the brakes if the brake light circuit is also hot (ie your foot is on the brake).

BTW, I avoided all this with the Tekonsha Prodigy RF controller, primarily because I only had one trailer to tow and because I didn't really want to drill into my dash.

http://www.tekonsha.com/content/prod...435&part=90250

- Mark

mikapen

I have the Tekonsha 90250 RF, and it works great. I strap the cockpit unit to one of the grab handles on the console just beside the cupholders. I do make adjustments depending on conditions, like climbing and descending passes, or slippery surfaces, so I want it nearby.
However, I just bought a new Travel Trailer and there is not a good place to mount the Tekonsha unit on the trailer because of my equalizer hitch and other stuff already mounted. Plus I am resisting drilling into the trailer frame.
That's why I hooked into the "green plug" under the dash and I am trying to find a good place to mount a conventional controller.
I still may go back to the RF - this thread is helping me decide.

mikapen

stmeme, how long were your screws?

stmeme

Stock screws that came with my P3... Not sure how long they are but they were just long enough. If I were to do it again I would get ones a little longer. You might be able to look up a parts list online for the P3 and get the exact length...

stmeme

That's good to know. I used the plastic bracket that came with p3 so I could remove it if I wanted too. One day I noticed that the controller was starting to come out (I'll blame the 1.5 year old playing around in the front seat) anyways I wondered what would have happened if I did not notice and if fell down... And now I know