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Post by jr on Jul 28, 2019 9:52:49 GMT 10
I have been using a Redarc-Tow Pro for over two years now and find it is very smooth and I like it. Always have it set to auto but when I take the van for a rego check select manual mode to operate the van brakes for the mechanic to check as manual gives a bigger hit. To select manual you need to turn the dial to zero foot on the brake and quickly push the button twice and the indication turns from blue (auto) to a green (manual) light. This month when getting the van checked for rego I tried to select manual but it would not select. I was thinking all things electrical and thought I may be up for a new controller so when I got home I tried again with no success. Pulled the dial off and was about to undo the lock nut but found it was very loose. So I tightened the nut which pulls the body of the dial/button device further out which then allowed the pushing of the button to travel further, problem fixed.
 One point that is not that good with the Tow Pro is using the push button on auto to do an emergency brake on the van. The auto needs to see some kind of deceleration to work well and unless you have some vehicle braking happening the braking action is not that good. This is why I always select manual mode when getting a rego check as the van is sitting still and trying to apply the brakes on auto does not produce much braking power. JR  |
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Post by nsgnomad on Jul 28, 2019 17:36:23 GMT 10
Interesting JR. I intend to get a redarc towpro for my new (to me) vehicle and I am a bit puzzled by your comments re emergency braking on the van. Does this mean that if you are moving and if the van starts to sway a little, and you decide to push the button to activate the van brakes to straighten out the sway, that it will not work?
That is a bit of a worry if that is correct.
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Post by Frank and Brenda on Jul 28, 2019 18:14:09 GMT 10
I think what JR is seeing is that in such a case you would have taken your foot off the accelerator in which case the towpro would sense the vehicle slowing and would apply the brakes on the van when you push the button
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Post by GerryP on Jul 28, 2019 18:34:11 GMT 10
I have tried this and regularly do this to check the brakes are working... it doesn't seem to matter whether you are accelerating, coasting or slowing, hitting the button in auto mode while moving definitely applies the brakes.
Granted that when stationery, auto mode doesn't apply as high a voltage as manual mode.
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Post by notathome on Jul 28, 2019 18:37:41 GMT 10
I have tried this and regularly do this to check the brakes are working... it doesn't seem to matter whether you are accelerating, coasting or slowing, hitting the button in auto mode while moving definitely applies the brakes. Granted that when stationery, auto mode doesn't apply as high a voltage as manual mode. Exactly the same as I have found Gerry. Auto mode, push the button, the van brakes work |
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Post by jr on Jul 28, 2019 19:24:04 GMT 10
Hi nsgnomad, If I was to buy a new controller I would still buy the Redarc-Tow Pro as in my opinion it is a much smoother operating controller than my older Tekonsha P3. I usually run on auto at a setting of 5 on the dial but when I push the dial/button to manually apply the van brakes it does not brake the van as good as the old P3. If I am operating the Tow Pro in manual then you can get full braking with the dial on 10. Basically the P3 did this with its manual leaver but does not have the level of smooth control like the Tow Pro. To get the same level of manual override braking as the P3 the Tow Pro needs to be on its manual setting and dialed up to 10. So when the van is just sitting there with no deceleration happening and you hit the manual brake override when on auto for a test you get not much at all or I should say with my van I don’t get much brake action. Have a read of the attached manual extract to understand how it works.  P.S. yes some others have commented thank you. JR |
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Post by nsgnomad on Jul 28, 2019 20:19:22 GMT 10
JR, Allan, Gerry & Frank, thanks for your responses. They are reassuring. I have been using a Primus IQ in my LC100 and have been happy with it, but for the new vehicle I need the remote type. I was tossing up between HR Compact IQ and the Towpro elite and had decided to spend the extra and go with the Redarc unit. Looks like my decision is still OK.
Cheers, Roger
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Post by notathome on Jul 28, 2019 20:59:53 GMT 10
Nsg
I believe the Towpro Elite is the way to go, I have had a couple of others and they did not perform anywhere near as well as the Redarc product.
Good luck with your purchase.
Please note: I have no interest in Redarc, and am only a very satisfied customer/user of various Redarc products.
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Post by bigboots on Sept 22, 2019 18:56:56 GMT 10
I had a problem with my Tow-pro unit where I couldn't change the operating mode and found that it was due to the thickness of the panel that the knob was mounted on. If the knob cannot be pushed in fully the mode cannot be changed. After tightening the mounting nut a little it was enough to enable the switch to function properly. Seems to me that the tolerance on the switch travel is a little bit tight. Otherwise I cannot fault the operation of the unit which I generally run on 5 on auto (blue) setting. Van has an ATM of 2700kg (although never loaded to that) and with an MQ Triton as tow vehicle I have no problems. Never had to use the manual over-ride so far so maybe I'm lucky.
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Post by nsgnomad on Sept 22, 2019 20:49:54 GMT 10
I am yet to install my Tow-pro unit. I have seen spacers on ebay to use if the panel is too thin.
BB, what panel thickness did you have? Was it too thick or too thin?
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