Picked up a Tekonsha P3 Today

FL335i · May 29, 2016

CL special. Worked out great. $50 great condition. W/out brackets and wiring harness. so I have those on order from etrailer. Has anyone towed with the P3 on the K2XX platform yet? Hows it work? I'm going to be towing some large double axle construction trailers and hopefully next year a large boat.

ember1205 · May 29, 2016

I have a thread on here somewhere where I asked for input comparing the P3 (which I have experience with) to the factory controller. A couple of people were able to share some info, but generally that P3 is a great controller.

Too bad I didn't know you were looking as I'm selling mine. It's in like new condition with everything including the original box. You'll like that controller.

FL335i · June 1, 2016

^10-4. I've yet to hear anyone say something bad about the P3. I'm looking to haul a 29' boat, so I'm making sure the setup is right. Not risking anything.

FL335i · June 6, 2016

Installed. The 3016 cable was about 5" short to mount the P3 where i wanted. Which is in the conventional location, right of the column, on the dash, in the knee area. Just like e-trailer's how-to video shows. However I did not like it mounted low and at the bottom of the dash panel. I mounted mine higher, to give you an idea... the face of the P3 is about flush with the top of the knee dash panel. And that allows me to see the P3's screen through the steering wheel and the manual brake lever is much more ergonomically located. So in a emergency situation where I may have to activate the brake controller manually I don't have to hunch down like I dropped something on the floor of the truck. I thought about extending the 3016 cable, but it's top notch quality and material. Hats off to Tekonsha! I couldn't come to grips with hacking that wiring harness, it's a beauty. So my fix was drill a 1" Dia hole in the plastic box cover, approx where the plug goes into the panel. I had a brand new 1" wire grommet in my garage for my K5 Jimmy project... stole that and put it in the cover. PERFECT. I mean OEM perfect fit. 3 zip ties for the wire harness under the dash it's a clean install. Super happy with the install. Side note, the screws that came with the P3's bracket were crap. I went to HD and bought Stainless #8 sheet metal screws for the main bracket to dash (which is nothing but a plastic panel FYI) and some stainless #6 machine screws, lock washers, flat washers and hex nuts for the cradle to bracket mounting. Do not over tighten the dash screws. I drilled a 1/16" pilot hole. Hand tightened them snug. There is no metal backing to the knee dash panel. I'll snap some pics tomorrow with some sunlight. I guess now I just need the 29' Baja Outlaw so I can make sure the P3 is working correct Those work trailers just aren't the same as the outlaw you know for testing the P3.

GsBowtie · June 8, 2016

Good deal the P3 is a very good controller and in some ways better than the factory IBC in my truck, in my opinion. For one, I feel the P3 is a stronger braking unit and I like the 3 boost settings

ember1205 · June 8, 2016

Definitely some advantages to the P3 like being able to "recognize" a particular trailer and the settings for it (still, boost needs to be adjusted every time unless you're always towing exactly the same thing).

The integrated controller can be leveraged for more than add-on controllers for things like anti-sway or similar since it's fully integrated into the truck's system.

Still, the P3 was always very good to me.

BigBadSierra · June 8, 2016

Glad I had mine when the Deer ran out in front of us this year coming home from camping.

The added braking in a panic stop helped out greatly. We stopped so well the pickup hauling nothing behind us almost hit us.

FL335i · June 11, 2016

Good to hear. I need pics tomorrow... Been so busy at work.

lilshort · August 2, 2016

I need to add a trailer brake controller to my 2012 Silverado, 1500. How much does the dealer charge to do that? I have found the parts I need on eBrake, but I know there is always something missing when you get a "package" deal.

Beer Belly · August 3, 2016

Glad I had mine when the Deer ran out in front of us this year coming home from camping.

The added braking in a panic stop helped out greatly. We stopped so well the pickup hauling nothing behind us almost hit us.

I had to make a quick stop with our '13 Silverado with a P2, and just like you described, stopped on a dime. Our '15 Sierra with the IBC, didn't stop as quickly, or as comfortably this past weekend when making a quick stop......huge difference IMO

lilshort · August 3, 2016

?

lilshort · August 3, 2016

I have a thread on here somewhere where I asked for input comparing the P3 (which I have experience with) to the factory controller. A couple of people were able to share some info, but generally that P3 is a great controller.

Too bad I didn't know you were looking as I'm selling mine. It's in like new condition with everything including the original box. You'll like that controller.

, do you still have your controller for sale?

ember1205 · August 3, 2016

No - Sold it a little while ago.

BigBadSierra · August 3, 2016

I had to make a quick stop with our '13 Silverado with a P2, and just like you described, stopped on a dime. Our '15 Sierra with the IBC, didn't stop as quickly, or as comfortably this past weekend when making a quick stop......huge difference IMO

It's not going to as it works with the stability control system so it was working on keeping you in control as well as stopping.

ember1205 · August 3, 2016

It's not going to as it works with the stability control system so it was working on keeping you in control as well as stopping.

Right.

The P3 is a solid controller, but has no integration with things like ABS / Stability Control and is "simply" going to apply the trailer brakes. Under heavy braking, the trailer's brakes may actually be applied with more force than the tow vehicle if ABS is kicking in. At that point, the trailer is working to help slow the tow vehicle instead of being focused only on stopping the -trailer- and its load.

Using the integrated controller will result in a more balanced overall braking scenario.