Anybody use the Curt Echo brake controller?

[WXman]

My new Lightning has no brake controller. I do have a Curt Echo laying around from a previous truck. Will it play nice with the Lightning? Anybody used one with success?

Sponsored

 

[kane99]

Just used one last weekend with a rented trailer. No issues at all.

 

[jobofly79]

I use it with my lightning flash and travel trailer. Yes it will work with your lightning. It works very well.

 

[WXman]

Fantastic. Thank you.

 

[Athrun88]

Good feedback, I'm in the market for a brake controller as well. Wasn't sure if I wanted to go through the hassle of OEM or go with Curt. Seems like I'm going with Curt.

 

[21st Century Truck]

I've used the Curt Echo since I got the truck. Have towed with the Echo on the Lightning for altogether about 14 or 15 thousand miles... no problem at all. It also makes it very easy to switch towing vehicles.

...except it is really easy to disconnect the Echo, then get busy with other trailer things and forget the black Echo / leave it on the black rear fender, and then take off driving the disconnected truck. Guess how I know this?

My solution was to wrap a bright yellow tape around the center of the Echo so that my eye catches it easily.

 

[RLXXI]

Reminder to self, nab one of these controllers.

 

[calandryll]

I have one and towed with it a few times. My only complaint is I wish the app would use Android Auto so I can control it from the main screen instead of having my phone on the entire time.

 

[El Duderino]

How hard is the install of this brake controller?

 

[calandryll]

It's just an extension on the trailer plug so pretty easy. Powered by the 12V on the plug and/or battery on the trailer.

 

[WXman]

You literally just plug it into the bumper receptacle, then plug the trailer wiring into it, the connect it to the app on your phone via Bluetooth. Easy Peasy. For somebody who tows a large trailer/camper only a handful of times annually it's perfect. If you tow heavy on a regular basis I'd still suggest upgrading to the factory integrated controller.

 

[El Duderino]

You literally just plug it into the bumper receptacle, then plug the trailer wiring into it, the connect it to the app on your phone via Bluetooth. Easy Peasy. For somebody who tows a large trailer/camper only a handful of times annually it's perfect. If you tow heavy on a regular basis I'd still suggest upgrading to the factory integrated controller.

Thanks for that explanation. I wrongly assumed this was old school need to tap into harness under the dash type product I am used to. Showing my age...

 

[jeep2liberty]

Just picked one of these (Curt 51180) up for a 2025 Lightning with Lariot Trim and it works very well. Thanks to all for the suggesting this unit. All things considered, this was the best solution for my situation.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Just picked one of these (Curt 51180) up for a 2025 Lightning with Lariot Trim and it works very well. Thanks to all for the suggesting this unit. All things considered, this was the best solution for my situation.

Ditto. I love the ability to easily transfer this device between vehicles.

Just a word of caution: DON'T place it on the black bumper of the F150 after disconnecting, as You get busy with trailer chains etc... it has a tendency to get forgotten there while You drive off (black device on a black bumper, etc...). Guess how I know this, ha haa.

I added a yellow safety tape to the center of the Echo to "see" it better in those situations.

 

[jeep2liberty]

Yikes, I assume you "remembered" before driving away(?). I though of this same issue with mine and haven't figured out the permanent discipline "solution" just yet but I like the yellow tape. Perhaps expand on that idea with a "remove before flight" type ribbon attachment. Only this time, it would be after the "flight". :-]

Sponsored