Best place to mount a brake controller

[busterbrown]

I just purchased and wired a Prodigy 3 brake controller on my 2008 Yukon XL Denali.

I'm just curious where everyone is mounting their units. It seems like my right shin will always be hitting it. I'm 6'2". I have yet to drill any holes.

The picture below is what I see most online. Just want to install in an accessible location that is out of the way of my limbs.

 

[992dr]

I had mine mounted like that but I centered it under the dash.
My center console didn't go up and under my dash so I had the space.
It was out of the way but close enough to access if I needed to do any adjusting.

 

[ezdaar]

Ive always mounted them in that location aswell. With alittle work, you could hide it inside your center console or in glove box.


Given your dimensions and shin contact with it. Consider mounting it with high quality velcro, so it can be easily removed when not in use.

 

[aflumb]

mounted my P3 in that same place. also secured it with the screws that came with it. but i didn't drill into the lower cover. i used a screw that was already there

 

[busterbrown]

I've also seen brake controllers higher up on the lower knee bolster kick panel below the instrument cluster. Don't want to make permanent holes in my dash though.

I may position in the center bottom of the kick panel and see if that helps. Would prefer to secure with screws over velco.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

That's where I mounted the controller on our '02 Sierra. Like aflumb, I used existing fasteners. I'm not tall, but do sit pretty close to the wheel. I've hit the dome light switch with my knee, but have yet to hit the controller at all. We've had the controller since 2002, with no issues. It's also a Prodigy.

 

[StevenFromTexas]

I mounted mine using the one existing screw just to left of where the mount is located in the picture above. No use drilling if I don't need to.

I don't even come close to having my leg hit the brake controller unit when it is attached to the mount.

 

[PatDTN]

Dunno if anyone is still following this but I mounted my Prodigy today by cutting through the plastic panel under the steering wheel. I reached under the bottom edge near the center console and marked above the steel dash panel and cut it out to fit. It isn't great but it won't hit my leg any more.

 

[992dr]

Nice, anything to help from hitting your leg is a plus.
You should post a pic

 

[PatDTN]

I did a pretty rough job cutting the plastic. I might find a way to make it look better then maybe some pictures.

 

[992dr]

You could always find some rubber molding to wrap around the cut edge, to hide it

 

[PatDTN]

Yeah or high density black foam. So far it's just a snug fit and a little tape keeping it in place. When I cut the knee panel I used the metal behind to bend around for support instead of cutting it all away. I need to attach a couple of ears to screw the sides in place probably from the back side of the panel. Right now I have a little interference with the metal support hoop below the steering column that's keeping the angle off just a little. I guess I should take pictures and post.

When I drew out the hole I wanted I was thinking of mounting the click in bracket so I could pull it out. As I cut it out I realized I could mount it without that so the hole didn't need to be quite as large. I figure these panels are plentiful in junk yards and no other parts of the vehicle need to be modified for this.

 

[PatDTN]

Before everybody runs out the door for a panel to cut on take a phillips screwdriver and 10mm socket with a short extension. Probably need a 1/4" drive set for the clearance around the brake release lever.

 

[PatDTN]

Rough or not, here's a couple of pictures;

I'm going to clean this up some and push the controller back in a little more.

 

[Brian Wilson]

I like it. as for.straightening the edges, maybe a diamond file.on a Drexel and a steady hand? or some trim. I would probably cut the opening even bigger to allow use of a rubber corner trim. and maybe make it more rounded than square. that might fit the controllers contour better. a question on the brake controler, what does it do exactly and how is it installed? I never used one but it looks like my truck is set up for one. I have 2 12 gauge wires and 2 18 guage wires under my dash that aren't factory. and 2 screw holes in the typical brake controler location. is 4 wires enough for a brake control?

 

[PatDTN]

4 wires is plenty. The brake controller controls the amount of power to the trailer brakes. Trailer brakes are generally electric; more power means more braking. Electric trailer brake controllers use something like a pendulum internally to figure out how much braking force the vehicle is feeling to apply the right amount of power. There's usually a lever on the controller that lets you apply the trailer brakes manually either to test the brakes or in a situation where your vehicle is not stopping like you want.

Not too often any more the trailer brake controller tapped into a brake line to sense pressure to apply the trailer brakes (still electrically). Personally I like this method better for effectiveness but not for the risk of leaks.

If you want to tow but not use a brake controller for a heavy trailer there's surge brakes that use a piston linked between the trailer ball and the tongue to apply hydraulic pressure to trailer brakes. Problems arise with backing a trailer with those as the brakes tend to apply on the trailer if there's resistance backing (uphill, over a curb, whatever) and you don't have independent control over the brakes.

 

[Brian Wilson]

Thank you for the info. I probably don't need them then