brake controller mounting

[bwoodtx]

I have a 2008 silverado and I was wondering where or how some of you have mounted your prodigy controller without making holes on the dash or trim. is this possible?

thanks,

[HowieE]

Don't worry about the holes. Mount it where you and your passenger can get to it and use it as needed in an emergency. Not mounting it where it belongs the holes in the front of your truck, after the crash, will be much bigger than those you drilled at the bottom of the dash

[jm2]

Originally Posted by oooooooooooo

That might make sense if you have never used a brake controller, it would be good to place it somewhere like that. But if you've towed a lot, using brake controllers a lot in a different location, it would probably be better to leave it where you are used to having it. During an emergency is not the time to be trying to remember where you have mounted the brake controller.

Originally Posted by HowieE

Don't worry about the holes. Mount it where you and your passenger can get to it and use it as needed in an emergency. Not mounting it where it belongs the holes in the front of your truck, after the crash, will be much bigger than those you drilled at the bottom of the dash

most controllers, though not all, work on inertia, so screwed down vs. velcro or double sided tape is probably better. thus, I'd be in almost violent agreement with Howie, since it's only two small holes in the dashboard (about #8, probably).


I had another Forum member spank me a while back about choosing a top of the dashboard location for my brake controller.... Aside from their admonition that you don't put it on top of a dashboard airbag (DUH!!!! ), the most important thing is that you can reach it and use it instantly, without having to look for it, if, God forbid, you should need it in a hurry!


Happy trails and a safe trip to you, always.

[Jammer]

Generally, the thing to do is mount them a little up and to the right of your right knee, which ends up being on some ABS plastic trim piece on most trucks. So you drill two holes and use sheet metal screws. In practice it stays out of the way then unless you have a center passenger in front, in which case it's one more thing they have to dodge.

It's an out of the way place and no one will care about the holes when you sell your truck, and you probably will never take the brake controller out yourself unless you do so to put in a different one.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, long before I ever owned a trailer, I worked at new car dealerships as a mechanic. I darn near ripped my knee caps off because of some of the stupid places people mounted their brake controllers. so when I got my first trailer, I made sure that my brake controller would be in a convienient place for ease of operation and not be a hazard to my body. My Lincoln has a pocket in the dash, just to the right of center, and that seemed to be the perfect place for it. Later after much thought I moved it into my center consul. Now it is in better sight and easier to use. Note: every vehicle is different so where you mount yours may take some deep thought. Please don't mount it where some-one will get their knee caps ripped of while entering and exiting your tow vehicle.

[Mikethefixit]

Dont worry about two little holes. It will not have an effect on the book value if you ever intend to trade it. I got my F350 second hand,it had 5500 miles on it, It already had holes in the dash from a brake control and a CB radio. My Brake controller took up some of the holes.
Like some woman in a parking lot at a mall told me after she banged the hell out of my door and left a big dent,"IT ONLY A DAM OLE TRUCK." Yeah rite lady 40k $ ole truck Compared to your $90 car.
I just let it go. Wasnt werf fight wiff her. AS I said dont worry about the holes.

[JFScheck]

On my last two vehicles - I've placed my controller to the left of my steering wheel down below and mounted on a removal panel as seen via the pictures.

If something bad is happening I can keep my "right hand" on the steering wheel and manually engage the brakes...

I've never hit the controller with my knees (or any other body parts) yet can get to it without even thinking...

Works for me...

[Ag&Au]

I am about to tackle the same problem. I am replacing my controller and have decided that I will put the new one in a location where the manual control can be accessed by the person in the passengers seat as well as by the driver.

Ken

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I am about to tackle the same problem. I am replacing my controller and have decided that I will put the new one in a location where the manual control can be accessed by the person in the passengers seat as well as by the driver.

Ken

Hi, Yes, this is a good idea; Mine is also in an area where my wife could manually activate my trailer brakes. In my first location, it was easy to get to, but difficult to see the display while driving. Some times I would ask my wife to watch the display and give me a number reading. New location working fine.

[bwoodtx]

thanks for all the input guys. i finally decided to put it in the pocket where the ash tray went. pulled out the ash tray, pulled out the cover and saved them for later. then i put the bracket right at the edge of the trim and screwed in with s cerws provided. works great, visible and accessable to both of us if need be.

thanks again, all

[JFScheck]

Sorry guy's - I don't want ANYONE touching my brake controller when I'm driving. It's just like flying a plane - there may be TWO pilots on some larger aircraft - but there is always ONE in control....

[Cos]

I don't have the same tow vehicle (it is a Toyota Land Cruiser instead) but I mounted my brake controller in ash tray location. The controller is mounted on a thin plywood square which slides into the same slot as the ash tray. During the winter when I'm not towing regularly I remove the controller and slide the ash tray back in.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Sorry guy's - I don't want ANYONE touching my brake controller when I'm driving. It's just like flying a plane - there may be TWO pilots on some larger aircraft - but there is always ONE in control....

Yes, there are two pilots, and it would be nice if the copilot could reach the flaps or landing gear when the pilot-in-command asked for them.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Sorry guy's - I don't want ANYONE touching my brake controller when I'm driving. It's just like flying a plane - there may be TWO pilots on some larger aircraft - but there is always ONE in control....

Hi, chances are I will never have to have my wife hit the trailer brakes for me, but it's nice to know if the occassion was ever needed it could be done.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Sorry guy's - I don't want ANYONE touching my brake controller when I'm driving. It's just like flying a plane - there may be TWO pilots on some larger aircraft - but there is always ONE in control....

What do you think they put that manual switch on the controller for?
You get into a heavy sway condition, blown tire, with both hands on the wheel who do you think is going to lock up the trailer to get you out of it?

Well you can always post the pictures of your trailer rolled over on it's side so the next person won't make the same mistake

[Gene]

Those holes in the dashboard can be filled with screws the same color as the dash when you remove the brake controller, or use black screws—they go with just about anything (just like the little black dress).

Then there's all the wires snaking across the dashboard and sometimes getting in the way of controls—TPMS wire, radar detector wire, etc. We need 12 v. plugs on top of the dashboard.

Gene

[richinny]

gene, that's a good idea but my preference would be up on the ceiling so i don't find out that someone has been using it to hold coins!

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by w7ts

Yes, there are two pilots, and it would be nice if the copilot could reach the flaps or landing gear when the pilot-in-command asked for them.

Excuse me "there is only one in charge at a time" - and usually flaps, gear, power is set by the one pilot who "has the plane" - of course this pilot can ask for assistance (especially if the damn gear handle is half way across the console) Trust me - over 7k hours I should know....

I do agree - if asked to hit manual brakes its hard if not mounted in front of a "co-pilot" - still I don't see any problems driving with one hand and modulating brakes with the other - no way I wan't someone "pressing full manual" on me...

No if you had "Detents" or "Positions" such as a set of Flaps....

Originally Posted by HowieE

What do you think they put that manual switch on the controller for?

For MYSELF to manually modulate the brakes on the trailer - in such conditions I don't want ANYONE ELSE touching that controller....

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

For MYSELF to manually modulate the brakes on the trailer - in such conditions I don't want ANYONE ELSE touching that controller....

I would strongly suggest you contact a professional CDL driving school and seek a qualified opinion on this subject. Pointed ask the procedure to regain control of a trailer, not a semi, in violent sway. Most of us here on the forum, even with 40+ years of towing and a CDL might not be able to convince you, try to offer what we believe to be correct information.

Please don't let your ego get in the way of safety.