Rarely has a trailer brake controller been easier to install! The CURT Echo Mobile Brake Controller is a plug-and-play design that syncs with your smartphone to provide real-time brake assistance for trailers with electric brakes. But is a wireless trailer brake controller right for your RV?
Do You Need a Wireless Brake Controller?
The advantages of a Bluetooth brake controller include decreased stopping distance and improved control when slowing your trailer and tow vehicle. However, not all setups will require this RV towing accessory.
Many trucks (and some SUVs) are manufactured with a factory-installed brake controller. This controller activates when a trailer is plugged into the vehicle’s 7-pin electrical connector. If the trailer is equipped with electric brakes, it controls the brake output, often allowing the driver to adjust the gain for more or less brake application.
However, some trucks and SUVs that are capable of towing small travel trailers aren’t equipped with a factory-installed brake controller. Because electric brakes have become more common on smaller towable campers, more RV owners are finding the benefits of a Bluetooth brake controller. If your tow vehicle isn’t built with a brake controller, CURT’s Echo brake controller is one of the easiest upgrades you can make for safer, easier towing.
Is The Echo Brake Controller Right For You?
One of the best parts about the Echo wireless trailer brake controller is that it can be used with multiple vehicles and/or trailers, as long as the vehicle and trailer connect with a 7-way plug. If you occasionally tow more than just your RV, you can add vehicles with customized brake control settings for an easy swap.
The custom Echo brake controller app is available on Apple and Android devices. It allows you to easily monitor brake control settings and activity. The app sends important status updates, so you don’t need to monitor it consistently while driving. You also retain the ability to receive cellular communications while the app is running. The brake controller will also continue to function if the Bluetooth connection is severed, relying on the most recently programmed settings.
The smart app also allows you to store multiple vehicle-trailer profiles, making it ideal for fleet owners or those who tow an RV, boat, utility trailer, or anything else. The Echo wireless brake controller also features automatic calibration to reduce setup requirements.
Here are a few more features of this wireless trailer brake controller:
- Weather Resistance. The inside of the brake controller’s potted enclosure is filled with epoxy resin that seals off the internal components from moisture and the elements. This ensures long-lasting operation and resistance against rain, snow, dirt, and mud.
- Easy, Secure Connection. A retention strap and locking tab help maintain a strong connection to the 7-way RV blade socket, keeping this Bluetooth brake controller firmly installed.
- Safe, Smooth Braking. It uses a triple-axis motion-sensing accelerometer, an integrated circuit that produces smooth, safe stops every time.
- Versatile Compatibility. It’s compatible with 2-4 trailer brakes (1-2 axles), cruise control, ABS brakes, and low-voltage or PWM wiring systems.
- Electrical Protections. The Echo brake controller has built-in reverse polarity and short-circuit protection. It’s also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Echo Wireless Brake Controller Installation Guide
Luckily, the CURT Echo Mobile Brake Controller is easy to install and set up. You won’t need to run electrical wiring or drill holes to mount the control box to your tow vehicle. Here are the three easy steps to install this CURT Echo brake controller from Lippert:
- Install the safety strap and plug it into your tow vehicle.
- Pair the brake controller with your smartphone.
- Set up your profile on the Lippert OneControl app.
It really is that easy! But here’s a little more info on each step:
1. Install the Safety Strap and Plug It In
The strap is inside the brake controller’s cap. Remove the button fastener from the strap and slide it through the clasp on the body of the wireless brake controller. Reindeer the button fastener facing outwards and plug the Echo into your tow vehicle’s 7-way electrical socket.
Use the plug’s alignment notch to ensure proper orientation before wrapping the strap around the 7-way cover and securing it with the button fastener. The LED indicator should turn blue, signaling the mobile brake controller is ready to pair. You may need to turn your tow vehicle on to supply power to the brake controller before pairing.
2. Pair With Your Phone
Download the Echo brake controller app by searching for ‘OneControl Auto’ in your phone’s app store application (App Store or Google Play). The app is available for devices operating with Apple iOS 14 or higher and Android 9.0 or higher. Your device’s Bluetooth feature must be turned on to allow pairing.
Once the app is installed, simply follow the required prompts to complete the initial registration. You’ll create unique login credentials for signing in, but once that’s finished, you can select Pair Device to scan for your Echo smart controller. You may need to allow location permissions for this step. But once the device finds the brake controller, select it and choose Connect to start pairing. You’ll receive a prompt to enter a unique six-digit pin, which you’ll find under the controller’s cap or on an included reference sheet.
When pairing is complete, the LED indicator light on the Echo brake controller should be solid blue. From here, you can plug your trailer’s 7-way connector into the remote trailer brake controller. If your vehicle and trailer are parked on a level surface, the LED light should flash yellow for 5-8 seconds as the controller calibrates. The LED light will change to solid green when calibration is complete.
3. Set Up Profile
Once it is paired and calibrated, the Echo smart control app will direct you to Controller Profiles, where you can create your trailer-vehicle profile, add additional profiles, and configure your personalized settings. The app lets you control manual brake activation, monitor current brake output, set maximum output and sensitivity level, and turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights.
To dial in these settings, CURT recommends taking a test drive and adjusting as needed. Adjustments should only be made while stopped. You must also have the parking brake applied, put the transmission in park or neutral, take your foot off the brake pedal, and deactivate the manual brake control on the app. We recommend downloading the complete Echo Mobile Brake Controller Installation Manual for more information on profile settings, indicator light meanings, and more.
Hopefully, these tips will help you decide if the CURT Echo Mobile Brake Controller is right for your RV. If so, we hope the installation guide makes it easy to set up your new wireless brake controller. But if you don’t feel comfortable installing it at home or have issues with settings or performance, contact our Service Department.
Are you curious about other easy RV upgrades?
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- Does Your RV Need a Trailer Sway Control Kit?
- RV Furniture Ideas to Upgrade Your Camper
What questions do you have about choosing or installing the CURT Bluetooth brake controller? Let us know in the comments below.
How does it work when you are in a no Wi-Fi area
Hi Tom!
This brake controller relies on Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi. It uses Bluetooth to communicate and it will continue to function, using the most recent settings in the event the connection is broken. Hope that helps!