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Where to Mount Trailer Brake Controller

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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 10:07 AM
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Where to Mount Trailer Brake Controller
Does anyone have a good suggestion as to where to mount the trailer brake controller on my 2014 ML350BTC? I would normally mount it on the lower dash to the left of the steering column, but there's an air bag under there which I don't want to disturb.

Suggestions?
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 07:17 PM
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Get wireless - and then velcro anywhere you want -
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by fabbrisd1
Get wireless - and then velcro anywhere you want -
Great idea, but. . . . . . .

A wireless controller will not work with the Carlisle Electric Over Hydraulic brakes on the kamper. I asked.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 04:33 AM
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Originally Posted by DUTCH
Great idea, but. . . . . . .

A wireless controller will not work with the Carlisle Electric Over Hydraulic brakes on the kamper. I asked.
Hmmmmm ! Wireless system supplies variable voltage out exactly the same as wired controller...... Do Carlisle use some "other" form of electricity ?
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by DUTCH
Does anyone have a good suggestion as to where to mount the trailer brake controller on my 2014 ML350BTC? I would normally mount it on the lower dash to the left of the steering column, but there's an air bag under there which I don't want to disturb.

Suggestions?
I've had the same question. I use a Tekonsha P3 but I only pull the trailer that needs the brake controller 3 or 4 times a year. Would love to have it pemanently mounted but have not found the right spot yet. What I have been doing is placing the unit in the cubby at the bottom of the stack just below the A/C controls and stabilize it on the sides with something like a small bean bag. I made the correct length pig tail to go from the connector behind the peddles and it stays and hides nicely in the seam running up to the cubby.

If someone has a better solution I would also be interested.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by MLee
Hmmmmm ! Wireless system supplies variable voltage out exactly the same as wired controller...... Do Carlisle use some "other" form of electricity ?
I can't answer your question, other than I was told by both Carlisle and Tekonsha that the wireless model would not work.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Kartergreg
I've had the same question. I use a Tekonsha P3 but I only pull the trailer that needs the brake controller 3 or 4 times a year. Would love to have it pemanently mounted but have not found the right spot yet. What I have been doing is placing the unit in the cubby at the bottom of the stack just below the A/C controls and stabilize it on the sides with something like a small bean bag. I made the correct length pig tail to go from the connector behind the peddles and it stays and hides nicely in the seam running up to the cubby.

If someone has a better solution I would also be interested.
Sounds like a plan to me. The back of that cubby has holes under the rubber liner. I wonder if the wires could be routed through there.

My first step is to pull the carpet and find the connector.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

As a side note, has anyone else noticed that the hitch receiver is lower than other cars? It's 3" lower to the ground than my G500 and my Audi Q7. I haven't hooked it up yet, but I'm concerned that it might prevent deployment of the jockey wheel on the trailer tongue.
Last edited by DUTCH; Mar 23, 2014 at 07:39 AM.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by DUTCH
As a side note, has anyone else noticed that the hitch receiver is lower than other cars? It's 3" lower to the ground than my G500 and my Audi Q7. I haven't hooked it up yet, but I'm concerned that it might prevent deployment of the jockey wheel on the trailer tongue.
Yes, for me the ML replaces a Dodge Durango and the receiver on the ML is much lower than the Durango. I use the same ball mount, 4 in. drop/ 2 in. rise but in the opposite direction. Needed 4 in drop on the Durango.

Thing is that your trailer should always be flat and level no matter what the height of the receiver. That is the reason for different drops or rises of the ball mount.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Kartergreg
Yes, for me the ML replaces a Dodge Durango and the receiver on the ML is much lower than the Durango. I use the same ball mount, 4 in. drop/ 2 in. rise but in the opposite direction. Needed 4 in drop on the Durango.

Thing is that your trailer should always be flat and level no matter what the height of the receiver. That is the reason for different drops or rises of the ball mount.
Keep in mind that the ML Owners Manual is very specific about how much rise, drop and distance from the receiver you are allowed for safe operation of the stability control.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by DUTCH
Keep in mind that the ML Owners Manual is very specific about how much rise, drop and distance from the receiver you are allowed for safe operation of the stability control.
Yes, I have seen that. I am using a 2 in rise which puts the bottom of the ball and the trailer frame at 16 in above the road which is perfect for all my trailers. Unless you have some kind of really crazy trailer frame that should be as high as you need to go.
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Old Mar 23, 2014 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Kartergreg
Yes, I have seen that. I am using a 2 in rise which puts the bottom of the ball and the trailer frame at 16 in above the road which is perfect for all my trailers. Unless you have some kind of really crazy trailer frame that should be as high as you need to go.
And 7.5 inches from the center of the locking pin in the receiver to the center of the ball. Mine is longer than that, but it's going to have to do.

Page 257 of the 2014 M-Class Owners Manual.
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