Brake controller question
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Brake controller question
I've been on the 997 site for years, have a 2011 C2S.
Thinking about getting a 2013 Cayenne to do light towing.
Question: the Cayennes I've seen in pictures have trailer hitches, but are they wired for a brake controller? That is, do they have a receptacle under the dash to plug in an aftermarket brake controller? Thanks.
Thinking about getting a 2013 Cayenne to do light towing.
Question: the Cayennes I've seen in pictures have trailer hitches, but are they wired for a brake controller? That is, do they have a receptacle under the dash to plug in an aftermarket brake controller? Thanks.
#2
Rennlist Member
They are wired but don't have a receptacle to plug right into. You have do to some minor wiring but don't need to cut anything.
Search here and you'll find the threads showing you what parts you need and how to do it.
Search here and you'll find the threads showing you what parts you need and how to do it.
#3
Rennlist Member
If the Cayenne has the factory tow package, then YES, the receptacle plug is under your dash, easy to find, and VERY easy to plug a Ebrake Controller into.
I did this a couple yrs ago, and posted pics, etc here...
https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...-2011-c-s.html
=Steve
I did this a couple yrs ago, and posted pics, etc here...
https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...-2011-c-s.html
=Steve
#4
FYI my Cayenne (2014) did NOT come with the hitch from the factory - and the plug under the dash WAS present.
The info is here on RL in various posts (also a lot of posts, likely old, claiming it's a difficult install - it's not!)
This link had all the info I needed to wire mine in, including the PN's for the VW harness parts.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-tb-09-0021-Tekonsha.aspx
I did *not* need the solenoid like the eTrailer.com page says. Using a Tekonsha P2 controller.
The info is here on RL in various posts (also a lot of posts, likely old, claiming it's a difficult install - it's not!)
This link had all the info I needed to wire mine in, including the PN's for the VW harness parts.
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-tb-09-0021-Tekonsha.aspx
I did *not* need the solenoid like the eTrailer.com page says. Using a Tekonsha P2 controller.
#5
Thanks to Karl Wilen, Der Sportwagen Technical Editor (AKA Porschedoc from RennsportKC) -- He has published the definitive article on this subject in the KC Region PCA Sept/Oct 2012 Edition of Der Sportwagen (pages 6-8) titled, "Installing an Electronic Trailer Brake Controller"
http://kcrpca.org/PDF/2012-09.pdf
And, the following....
http://www.rennsportkc.com/so-easy-a...oller-install/
http://kcrpca.org/PDF/2012-09.pdf
And, the following....
http://www.rennsportkc.com/so-easy-a...oller-install/
#7
Thanks to Karl Wilen, Der Sportwagen Technical Editor (AKA Porschedoc from RennsportKC) -- He has published the definitive article on this subject in the KC Region PCA Sept/Oct 2012 Edition of Der Sportwagen (pages 6-8) titled, "Installing an Electronic Trailer Brake Controller"
http://kcrpca.org/PDF/2012-09.pdf
And, the following....
http://www.rennsportkc.com/so-easy-a...oller-install/
http://kcrpca.org/PDF/2012-09.pdf
And, the following....
http://www.rennsportkc.com/so-easy-a...oller-install/
So from the etrailer.com link *I* posted, it talks about "maybe" needing that 12v relay because of potential issues with the *display* on the controller - and they're referencing the "Prodigy or P3" controller. Well Prodigy and P3 I thought (?) were synonymous with one another - Prodigy being the name of the entire LINE under the Tekonsha brand.
I have a Prodigy P2 (TWO not THREE) controller. I did NOT bother with the 12v relay. I haven't towed the trailer BUT did connect it up in the storage yard and no bizarre display issues or errors on the controller.
Maybe I'll take it for a ride this afternoon and drag the trailer out and go for a few miles just to verify everything works. I know the P3 is a nice controller w/the LCD display and all but I can't say I've wanted anything more out of my P2.
Not that wiring in a 12v relay is all THAT complicated but it does save a few steps if you don't have to have one.
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#8
Of the two I know, one had zero issues. One had issues getting the controller to "pair" with the trailer.
#9
Rennlist Member
Great links, thanks.
So from the etrailer.com link *I* posted, it talks about "maybe" needing that 12v relay because of potential issues with the *display* on the controller - and they're referencing the "Prodigy or P3" controller. Well Prodigy and P3 I thought (?) were synonymous with one another - Prodigy being the name of the entire LINE under the Tekonsha brand.
I have a Prodigy P2 (TWO not THREE) controller. I did NOT bother with the 12v relay. I haven't towed the trailer BUT did connect it up in the storage yard and no bizarre display issues or errors on the controller.
Maybe I'll take it for a ride this afternoon and drag the trailer out and go for a few miles just to verify everything works. I know the P3 is a nice controller w/the LCD display and all but I can't say I've wanted anything more out of my P2.
Not that wiring in a 12v relay is all THAT complicated but it does save a few steps if you don't have to have one.
So from the etrailer.com link *I* posted, it talks about "maybe" needing that 12v relay because of potential issues with the *display* on the controller - and they're referencing the "Prodigy or P3" controller. Well Prodigy and P3 I thought (?) were synonymous with one another - Prodigy being the name of the entire LINE under the Tekonsha brand.
I have a Prodigy P2 (TWO not THREE) controller. I did NOT bother with the 12v relay. I haven't towed the trailer BUT did connect it up in the storage yard and no bizarre display issues or errors on the controller.
Maybe I'll take it for a ride this afternoon and drag the trailer out and go for a few miles just to verify everything works. I know the P3 is a nice controller w/the LCD display and all but I can't say I've wanted anything more out of my P2.
Not that wiring in a 12v relay is all THAT complicated but it does save a few steps if you don't have to have one.
#11
Three Wheelin'
Yeah I know two people with that one. Pricey BUT you (a) don't have to do any wiring work and (b) can transport your controller to another vehicle if you're towing the trailer with someone else's truck.
Of the two I know, one had zero issues. One had issues getting the controller to "pair" with the trailer.
Of the two I know, one had zero issues. One had issues getting the controller to "pair" with the trailer.
I know personally, the thought of mounting an aftermarket controller in the cockpit just seems ugly to me.
#12
Then I read a little more and saw how simple it was to do a hard-wired controller, and had the Prodigy P2 sitting in my toolbox that I used in my old Chevy Avalanche (several years ago).
Since it was essentially "free" I figured I'd give it a try first before spending a couple hundred bucks on the RF model. I just used double-stick tape to mount it on the black plastic panel under the dash. Seems fine, it's out of the way, and is juuust in my line of vision if I look down through the left side of the steering wheel. I'm gonna roll with that for now.
#13
I'm pretty impressed with how this thing tows, BTW. Granted it's an open aluminum trailer (1200lbs) with no car on it (yet) but I couldn't tell it was even there (no exaggeration, truck drove no different) other than the occasional bang/clunk from the hitch.
More impressed than I thought I'd be. Half tempted to strap the wife's car down on it just to drive around lol.
More impressed than I thought I'd be. Half tempted to strap the wife's car down on it just to drive around lol.
#14
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Additional question. And I've read all the threads.
What issue does the relay fix?
Without the relay, do the brake lights not work, or do the trailer brakes not work, or what?
Thanks.
What issue does the relay fix?
Without the relay, do the brake lights not work, or do the trailer brakes not work, or what?
Thanks.
#15
Tekonsha Primus IQ
I have a similar question. I am going to install a Tekonsha Primus IQ controller, received the VW parts today. Do I need a relay?