Anyone using a Curt Echo brake controller?

My son just started using one and so far so good.

I got one last year, and love it! I have a 20' trailer with electric brakes, and wanted to be able to move it with my Jeep GC which had the right plug, but no trailer controller. I got the Echo, and it works great, particularly regarding the trailer brakes. I can monitor brake operation on my Iphone, and control the amount of braking with it also. Saved me from having to wire in a controller and I can use it with any other vehicle I may have to use.

I didn't like that there was no emergency brake lever. They've now addressed this, and offer a wireless emergency brake button (it is an option however... not standard). I personally prefer a lever, but having the button should still work for controlling sway if something happens like a blow-out.

I've had it since 9/19 and I full-time. Love it.

I have trouble with my bluetooth radio staying connected on some days.

that's just my 2 cents

Product Expert Kathleen M
Is this right for you? Product Expert Kathleen M says:

Yes, if you:
Alternate towing vehicles or trailers - plug-and-play design makes this very versatile
Are unable or unwilling to make changes to your tow vehicle's wiring/interior
Have a BMW, Land Rover, Volvo, or other vehicle with multiplex wiring
No, if you:
Are towing a trailer with an RV or similar vehicle - your phone must be less than 50' from the controller or they won't connect
Would get annoyed using a mobile app to operate the controller, especially if you use your phone for maps or music while towing
Haul a trailer with more than 2 axles

Found this. could help

Terryallan wrote:
Product Expert Kathleen M
Is this right for you? Product Expert Kathleen M says:

Yes, if you:
Alternate towing vehicles or trailers - plug-and-play design makes this very versatile
Are unable or unwilling to make changes to your tow vehicle's wiring/interior
Have a BMW, Land Rover, Volvo, or other vehicle with multiplex wiring
No, if you:
Are towing a trailer with an RV or similar vehicle - your phone must be less than 50' from the controller or they won't connect
Would get annoyed using a mobile app to operate the controller, especially if you use your phone for maps or music while towing
Haul a trailer with more than 2 axles

Found this. could help

The Echo does not require you to have a phone connected in order to operate properly. Turn your phone off, or use it for other things and the Echo works fine. You can use the phone to program sensitivity and brake strength, but after that it is not necessary. I leave my phone on to the Echo app so I can monitor brake activity, but don't have to.

I think this would do the job for me. I’ve basically only ever used fully proportional brake controllers:

Real air brakes
Trailer tongue hydraulic disc
Hayes hydraulic over 12v
Hayes air over 12v
Maxbrake
DirecLink
Ford factory in F350

I once tried a Tekonsha sumthin when the Maxbrake failed that was promptly dubbed the “JerkaMatic”. It got us home but not my cup of tea.

Anyways I forgot to ask is the Curt Echo is nice and proportional or is it jerky like $50 plug in controllers.

Since having a trailer brake failure on a miles long western downgrade towing an 18,000lb 3 axle with a 2006 won ton I’ve pretty much quit towing with setups where my tow mobile cannot brake the whole rig for miles on a 6 to 8% grade.

noteven wrote:


Anyways I forgot to ask is the Curt Echo is nice and proportional or is it jerky like $50 plug in controllers.

Since it is just another controller that uses an accelerometer, it is in the JerkaMatic class.

noteven wrote:




Since having a trailer brake failure on a miles long western downgrade towing an 18,000lb 3 axle with a 2006 won ton I’ve pretty much quit towing with setups where my tow mobile cannot brake the whole rig for miles on a 6 to 8% grade.

What are you using for a tow vehicle one of those Kenworth tractor conversions?