Is this right For you? Product Expert Kathleen M says:
Electronic controller activates electric trailer brakes with a preset intensity when you apply the brakes in your vehicle. Power output and braking aggressiveness are easily adjustable. Includes easy-to-read digital display and manual override.
Features:
Specs:
The Discovery applies your trailer's brakes when the brake pedal in your tow vehicle is engaged. Every time you apply the brakes in your vehicle, a signal is sent - via the brake switch - to the Discovery. The controller then sends power out to your trailer brakes to activate them with an intensity set by you, at a rate determined by you. Both the amount of braking power (output) and rate of application (sync) can be adjusted to suit your preference, the road conditions, type of trailer, and size of the load. To determine which levels are best for your application, you must test out your towing setup and choose what feels best.
A time-delay controller is so named because there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output. Unlike a proportional brake controller, which activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your tow vehicle, the Discovery sends power out in the same way, with the same gradual delay, no matter the braking situation. Although this delay always exists, it can be adjusted by changing the sync setting.
The above diagram shows the controls and components of the Curt Discovery trailer brake controller.
During the initial setup process, use the thumbwheel control on top of the Discovery to adjust the output. The output control lets you set the maximum amount of power that will be applied to your trailer's brakes. Typically, the output is only readjusted when you experience changing road conditions or if you switch over from a heavy, loaded trailer to a much lighter, empty trailer, or vice versa. To get more power to your brakes, rotate the switch to the right. To decrease the power output, move it to the left. The output setting will appear on the digital display when you press the brake pedal or activate the manual override. This setting ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 indicating maximum output.
To adjust the aggressiveness of your trailer's braking action, use the slide-bar control on the side of the Discovery to change the sync setting. If you want to reach maximum power output faster, move the switch forward. To get smoother braking action, slide the switch backward, thus supplying power to the trailer brakes more gradually. You can alter the sync setting to suit your driving preferences or to improve handling based on changing road conditions or varied trailer loads. The digital display will only show the sync setting as you adjust it.
Quick, Simple Installation
Because inertia plays no role in the functioning of this controller, you do not have to mount the unit at any particular angle. As a result, mounting options are limitless, so long as you can still easily access the controller.
Installation of the Discovery requires that you either purchase a custom wiring adapter designed to plug into the controller or that you hardwire the controller directly into your vehicle. To hardwire the Discovery, you must remove the plug at the end of the integrated wiring harness.
Installation Accessories
For easier installation, a vehicle-specific wiring adapter (sold separately) is available for most newer trucks and SUVs. One end of the custom adapter plugs into your vehicle, and the other end plugs into the controller - no hardwiring required.
Note: If a custom brake control wiring adapter is not available for your vehicle, one of the following will be required:
20-Amp circuit breaker (9506P - sold separately) for 2- to 4-brake applications
30-Amp circuit breaker (38630 - sold separately) for 6- to 8-brake applications
See also etrailer.com's exclusive 7- and 4-way brake control installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately) if you don't already have a 7-way plug at the back of your vehicle.
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (262 Customer Reviews)
Electronic controller activates electric trailer brakes with a preset intensity when you apply the brakes in your vehicle. Power output and braking aggressiveness are easily adjustable. Includes easy-to-read digital display and manual override.I finally got a chance to hook up to a trailer. Everything works fine. I figured it would. I had bought a Curt controller years ago (2006?) And pulled many heavy trails with no worries.
I was dismayed by the packing. There was so little bubble wrap in the box that the controller bounced around so much in its clear plastic that contents of that clear box were spilled out into the shipping box. Room for improvement there.
David - 03/31/2022I am sure it will work, BUT I did not look close enough, I expected it to include the socket to plug the trailer plug into, not just a 5 pin socket. No info on what else I need to make the system actually work.
Jenny N - 05/20/2022
Jenny N - 05/20/2022Fits almost perfect
This Curt Discover controller works great. Super easy to install if you get the pigtail for your model truck. I especially like the fact that you can install the bracket under the dash on my new 2018 Silverado using factory screw under the dash. No drilling required. As always wonderful pricing and delivery from E-Trailer.
Fit nicely under the dash on the left side. Also installed a 7/4 pin connector in the bumper, replacing the blank plug from the factory(etrailer p/n HM40975-11998)
We purchased this for our 18 ft camper
It is very good working brake system.
We did have a wire fray but no fault of the system. We called the help line and they helped us diagnose it . Customer service is very good****
Bob w - 06/23/2021I purchased this controller to install in my daughter's 2013 Ford Explorer. It is the exact same model as the one I have in my 2010 Ford F150. The "slide" adjustment on this one does not have as much resistance to adjustment as my original so setting it is requires a very delicate touch. I would probably would have asked for a replacement but I did not have time to make an exchange as she needed to use it right away. However, it appears to be operating fine and did not move from it's position once it was set. I would have rated it as excellent except for this one weakness.
Peter - 06/23/2022I have not received this package!!!
Thomas M - 01/13/2022Easy plug and play. The brake switch gets stuck when you slide it
I bought a new car dolly with electric brakes to pull with our motorhome ( Fleetwood FlAIR 2001 ) as all states require brakes on trailers at all different weight levels. I called E trailer and spoke with Danna and after talking with her about different models I choose the C51120 time delay control, as it can be adjusted to work well with the tow vehicle . I received the control with in 3 days of the order and went to put it in and found under the dash wire a harness by Fleetwood which told where each wire on the controller went on the harness. I was able to hook it up sitting in the drivers seat. Completed the hook up and started to test the operation, to find I was not getting the proper readings. I talked with Tom and he said he would bench test a like control and report back to me, at 6 pm he left a message on our phone that he believed the problem was along the blue wire to the trailer on the tow vehicle . I started at the back of the, motorhome and moved forward testing for a brake signal, I found that the butt connector had pulled apart and was not getting current to the plug in at rear of coach. Hooked it back together and re taped the wires and it works like a charm. I want to thank all off you for the prompt and knowledgeable service, I would recommend E trailer to anyone who wants to deal with a great staff and company Thank you
Bob R - 02/04/2017the brake controller with all the wiring plus the 7 pin plug was better than i thought . it even has great instructions and easy to read. the price was good . the 7 pin plug even has the 4 pin connector mounted in with it very glad that i bought it is everything that you need to make it work . everything about it is excellent very glad that i found it here at a good price . even fast shipping . again thanks for good product
George D - 10/16/2016Parts were right, the web site helped to install. Great all the way around. Thanks.
Great product worked perfect!
I was very impressed the the speed at which I received my order. The part worked perfectly on my vehicle.
Great service and communications.
This is by far the most pleasant buying experience I’ve ever had online. A wealth of information is provided for installation coupled with prompt delivery makes shopping for anything RV related a no brainer for me. etrailer is wonderful and have already started recommending this website to anyone I know.
Erik - 04/01/2020tracking sucks
After reading the reviews of this product I decided to give it a try myself, with a great price. When I received it within a week along with the plug and play 7 prong trailer hitch adapter, I realized I was missing something. The plug and play adapter for this product. It showed me it when I was buying and for what ever reason I didn't have the option to add it as well. It was very easy to install, like I said plug and play. The problem is it does not work. followed all the directions, double checked everything I just don't have a signal to the trailer from the break controller. Good luck
Less than 1 yr after installing on a 2017 F250, controller quit working right. It would surge brake to some high number like 7 (10 being max) regardless of the controller setting which would lock up trailer brakes. Next time it would only allow a setting of 2.5 or 7.5... nothing else. Next time it would do something different. Called Curt who recommended unplugging it for awhile. Worked for awhile then started acting up again. They're going to send me a replacement. Tbd if replacement will be better.
Installation pics on my Ford F-150
Ordered a brake control and an inline circuit breaker on Feb 11th and shipped the same day. I chose the least expensive shipping option (my bad). A combination of UPS/US Post Office, or so I was told after calling to find out where my shipment was. Tracking info said delivery by the 15th. When it didn't show I called etrailer and was told the post office had it and it was out for delivery...2 days later I finally received it (Feb 20th). I ordered a hitch a couple of weeks prior and received it in 2 days. A 49lb hitch vs a 1lb (maybe) package. Not etrailers fault but I can see why the post office is going broke with service like that!
When i needed to replace my electric brake controller on my truck for pulling my trailers I first ordered from another dealer and when i got the unit and read the instructions there were about 3 items that i wasn't told about and sent it back ,so i kept searching for the controllers and came across e trailers , there were so many questions i had from my researching that when i called e trailers and talked with Preston he was so helpful in explaining the differances with controllers and i explained what i wanted and why he helped set me up with the right one .I then ordered the unit it was received faster than i expectided , it took me about 20 minutes to install the wiring harness and controller, I'm very happy with the customer service rep. Preston with help and time to explain and the choice i made thanks Preston and E trailers
It was easy to hook up and mount on my truck. It is just what I wanted.
good products and fast shipping
Installed the Curt Discovery Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Time Delayed - C51120 in our 1982 GMC 1-ton dually to activate the brakes on our Forest River Sandpiper Sport SP34T 34' triple axle toyhauler travel trailer...
The Curt Discovery Trailer Brake Controller installed easily, adjustment was fairly painless and it performed flawlessly on a recent 600 mile trip.
We would definitely recommend this product and etrailer.com!
Drew V - 10/10/2017
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