brake controllers

Now that the good controller companies have gone out of business, because people would only buy cheap, only the factory controllers work by responding to the drivers foot pressure. The after-market guess-work controllers are not something I would use.

There never was any kind of rule about connecting to the hydraulic system to add a real controller. Only if an old add-on controller required too much brake fluid to operate would there be a problem. The excellent controllers from Brakesmart and MaxBrake used a sensor that required no fluid. For those that complained about adding a simple tee, I guess they never replaced brake hoses, lines, master cylinders or wheel cylinders. Cheap and easy was the only thing that mattered.

I would never attempt it on any vehicle with actual ABS brakes.

We still use Kelsey Hayes Hydraulic Brake Controllers in the 1st generation Cummins world as they are still the best way to stop a trailer smoothly,reliably time after time. Our trucks have basic abs on the rear axle only so we tap into the front brakes.

Of all the 1st gen owners I know of on separate user forums no one has ever heard of a failure. These units fell out of favor though at pressure from OEM and insurance companies. In Australia they are banned.

I'm not sure what your asking. Do you want an aftermarket system because you don't think the factory units tie in?
If so you are mistaken. The factory units do indeed tie in and more importantly, they also tie in to the on-board electronics to work better and faster than ever. No aftermarket unit adjusts for when the anti lock system kicks in.
The factory system is a world apart from the old pressure sensing units.

I haven't see an after market hydraulic brake adapter in years. Tap into your system and the manufacturer will successfully abandon you. A failure might be gross negligence on your part.

My first controller was tied into my vehicles hydraulic system. It worked very well, probably better than my next couple electronic only models. I think most if not all were discontinued, due to new regulations not allowing tampering with existing brake system.

Jerry