Question on Brake Controller Placement

[LDeane]

Trying to determine the best location to put my brake controller. I really want to put it in the ashtray. Spent some time looking at the various options and found that if I pull out the ashtray insert (not the whole assembly, just the insert that holds the ashes), my Tekonsha Voyager brake controller slides right into the ashtray door. The voyager manual says it will work at up to a 70 degree angle. Based on what I can tell with it sitting in the ashtray, the angle is somewhere around 60 degrees, so it should work.



Going to run to Radio Shack tomorrow and see if I can find a quick disconnect so that when I am not using the controller, I can just unhook it and close the ashtray. When using it, I can open the ashtray plug it up and slide it in. Planning to use velcro to hold it in the ashtray, although it is a pretty tight fit when I just slide it into the ashtray.



Any thoughts or concerns on doing this? Anybody see any possible problems? Seems this is a perfect solution, easy to remove, and puts it within easy reach of the gear shifter.



Thanks,



-LDeane

 

[JRG]

That sounds like a great idea, let us know how it turns out!



JRG

 

[thejeepdude]

My Prodigy wouldn't mount inside the ashtray and allow me access to the manual brake lever, so I mounted it ON the ashtray. The two little screw holes that hold on the quick change bracket were barely noticible when I sold the truck, but I did it that way so that if the buyer demanded the holes fixed, I could just grab an ashtray from the junk yard for 5 bucks and be done with it.

 

[smartineau]

Your idea will work well, that is what I did, execpt I cut a piece of 2x4 down so that it fit tight in the ashtray, painted it black then i velcro the controller to the block. It is almost level, I ran the wires up through the bottom of the ashtray, this way when not in use I have the ashtray door closed and it looks the way it should. I seldom tow needing a brake controller, so this set up works well for me.



steve

 

[BIG BOB]

Originally posted by thejeepdude

My Prodigy wouldn't mount inside the ashtray and allow me access to the manual brake lever, so I mounted it ON the ashtray.

Hmmm, I mounted mine there.



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[LDeane]

Originally posted by BIG BOB

Hmmm, I mounted mine there.



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Big Bob, looks like you removed your ashtray and put yours in the ashtray hole (for lack of a better word). I think he is saying he tried to put his IN the ashtray, but it wouldn't fit. I am going to put mine in the ashtray as well... or at least give it good shot.



Thanks for all the replies... hope to work on it some tonight.

 

[midlife crisis]

LDeane- I removed the ashtray & insert, I think it looks awesome, and everything is out of harms way. (size 12 boot) I was afraid of the angle and didnt care for the look with just the tray removal, taking both pieces out worked great for me.

 

[JLockhart]

Could we have some pics that display? I'd like to see the options in case my truck ever comes in!

 

[LDeane]

midlife, I am a bit concerned about the angle as well, although from I can tell if I mount it on the knee bolster, the angle is about the same.



I am pretty close to figuring out how to do this and make it look nice. Just need to figure out how to make the controller quick disconnect from the wiring, which will stay in the ashtray when I am not using the controller. I bought a 4 pin trailer plug today, but the wires are 18 guage, so concerned that the brake wire and power wires will carry too much amperage/volts for the 18 guage wires to handle...

 

[DE Jeeper]

I am using a cell phone style pedistal mount to hold my brake controler. It keeps it up and out of the way and forward of the heater vent.



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[99guy]

Originally posted by LDeane

midlife, I am a bit concerned about the angle as well, although from I can tell if I mount it on the knee bolster, the angle is about the same.

The prodigy will work fine mounted to the knee bolster.

 

[Jengle]

I mounted my prodigy inside the edge of the ashtray hole. If I put the ashtray back in, the holes from the controller mount will be covered. Check the pics in my readers rigs. It works really well there, I can reach any of the control buttons and the bottom lever easily.

 

[WMcGuire]

I stuck mine in the cubbyhole just below the heater/AC controls,

be careful drilling the hole for the wires though, not much room behind there, like the others I used velcro to stick it to the top of the hole.

 

[LDeane]

Wanted to update everyone. First off, thanks so much for all of your replies and pictures. You gave me many options and things to consider.



I ended up putting mine in the cubby under the Heater and A/C controls as WMcGuire did. I really wanted to go with the Ashtray, but never really could work out what I really wanted and how I wanted it. Was concered about the knee bolster for safety reasons. The cubby ended up working out great, and it looks very nice. Digital camera is broke, but will post some pics once I get it fixed.



One note though for everyone, my truck did not come from the factory with a tow package, so had the dealership install it. When I got home the brake controller wouldn't work. After some trouble shooting, I realized the brake controller wire was ran into the engine compartment, but not hooked up to anything. After going to the dealership, they said they don't do that as part of the install. So, not really sure about the truth of all this, but when they install the hitch, they don't wire anything up to the brake control plug under the dash... so not sure what this control is actually hooked up to...



Anyway, just wanted to make everyone aware. They eneded up routing the blue control wire up under the dash, and splicing it into the plug... although not the way I would have liked it, it works for now... will fix it myself later.



Thanks again!



-LDeane

 

[HoofinSoot]

Yesterday I picked up a brake controller for my new truck. I ended up getting a DrawTite Activator II. This is a no-pendulum unit, so location and orientation is a non-issue. You can mount it in whatever position you want. All solid-state. I started wiring it up last night, but I decided that I was going to take the idea from another member and wire it up with a 4-prong trailer wire plug, so that I could "quick-disconnect" it. It doesn't have to be calibrated like the pendulum types, so I can plug it in when I need it, and unplug it when I don't. Pretty cool ..... It is the 5500 model, which is good for 2-8 brake trailers, and a trailer capacity of 20k lbs. It cost $85 out the door. They also offer the 5100 model, that is good for 2-4 brakes and 12k lbs. trailer weight. That one was about $60.



On first glance, and having the ability to remove-at-will, I think I'm going to mount this with velcro, between the e-brake and the ODB connector under the left knee bolster. I may change that, but that's what I think at first glance. The beauty of it is, if I make sure to have enough service wire, I can simply move it to somewhere else .....

 

[DE Jeeper]

Originally posted by HoofinSoot



On first glance, and having the ability to remove-at-will, I think I'm going to mount this with velcro, between the e-brake and the ODB connector under the left knee bolster. I may change that, but that's what I think at first glance. The beauty of it is, if I make sure to have enough service wire, I can simply move it to somewhere else ..... [/B]

That is were I mounted mine the first time. The second time I used the e-brake I broke it into 2 pieces. Although, since you are using vercro you will probably just kick it off.

 

[HoofinSoot]

Good point.



I set up my receiver hitch drop last night. Am going to wire the brake controller tonight, and then drag my 28' enclosed car trailer with my 70 Plymouth GTX station wagon in it down to Ohio and back for my "maiden voyage". CAN'T WAIT !! Oo.