Viperbob1

Customer has a new '11 Hybrid that will be towing a trailer. Going to install the Prodigy RF model so no wiring in the vehicle at all. We'll see...

Viperbob1

OK just as an update... I installed a Prodigy new wireless RF controller. Freaking awesome. 100% is mounted to the trailer. No wiring, mounting crap in cockpit, etc. I guess between the brake lights going on and the intertial slowing the things applies the trailer brakes. The small remote unit in the car only does the initial brake force settings, and then is just your govt required manual override (size of remote that plugs into cigarette lighter). If you disconnect it the thing still works great. So this makes trailer independent of tow vehicle... Love it.

ltc

$350 seems a bit high for a brake controller IMHO ...
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contro...sha/90250.html

Viperbob1

A good controller is going to cost about $100. Then when you take into account essentially no installation (4 screws on the trailer) costs, no controller mounted anywhere in the cockpit getting in the way or potentially damaging interior from the mounting brackets, and if you ever have more than one tow vehicle moving the trailer the cost seems pretty reasonable.

Astroman

I just installed a Tekonsha Primus in my '08 CS with tow hitch option. As instructed by etrailer.com, I ordered (qty. 1) #1J0-972-782 housing and (qty. 2) #000-979-228 wire/terminal from my local VW dealership. With these items, the install was very very easy.

ltc

Seems like a lot of money to work around a defect in the P!g design.
A good analog brake controller is well less than $100 and doesn't damage the interior with mounting IMHO.
And even with the wireless controller, you still need to mount a control within arm's reach (when the tail starts to wag the dog).

Nice product, but I just dont'see it...

Viperbob1

Nothing to mount. small little controller about the size of a car remote with a cigarette lighter plug for power. Thats it. No mounting cages, brackets, etc to be screwed or velcro'd in the vehicle. In my customers case, he has 2 vehicles he tows with, and I use my own truck sometimes. Saves having anything mounted, wired, etc in any vehicle.

sup44

Thanks for sharing the info and Pics..

Hi .. I actually just did the opposite.. I turned my 04 v8 Touareg in for a Pepper S (which I am reading everyone referrers to as a PIG..lol)...

I want to install my break conroller (Prodigy)... Did you have to make this adapter cable? If so, do you have more details/pics on how you did it?

Thanks,
Mark

sup44

This defiantly sounds the way to go for me... didn't spend the $ on this P!G to be excessively thrifty on it's mods... I always look for the best deal, but I just called the dealer and he quoted me $350 for the install.. I can defiantly do it myself, but for $300 minus the $$ ill get for my current controller.. no brainer..

I think Im going to sell my current Podigy and get this RF... how is it holding up? Any issues?

JFScheck

Check the wiring diagram - easy to make, I threw a switch in there so the relay wouldn't be active when not towing.

For the person with the 2011 Cayenne - follow the directions for use with a relay, not vampire tap directly off of brake switch like on early 1st generation models...

KineticFlow

The dealer and I spent many hours looking for that hard to find wire. Calls to Atlanta did not provide anything helpful other than "its there, keep looking".

I actually ended up finding it based on where it is on a Touareg, basically behind the fuse panel. If you are on your back looking up, there is a black connector with orange wires coming of out it. If you put your hand in there on top of that connector and go toward the outside of the car the wire is right there.

Based on other photos and descriptions (and where it was in previous years) we all were looking closer to the brake pedal.

Hope this helps save some other people time.

jo-hans

I installed an OEM hitchkit on my Touareg and bought a dual axle trailer. With the electric brakes I need to install a brake controller. On the Touareg we have that same hidden plug under the dash. Just want to say thanks for the info with pictures here!

For anyone interested:




http://www.etrailer.com/question-39088.html

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-tb-09-0021-Tekonsha.aspx

paver

Does anybody sell a ready-made harness to connect the brake controller to the hidden plug?

Frank 993 C4S

No - you need to make your own.

ddunwood

I've been using the RF Prodigy almost every weekend for 2 months on my '08 Turbo, and it works great!