CX-5 Trailer brake controller installation help

[ashram]

Has anybody here installed a brake controller in their CX-5?

I am toying with the idea of installing the Redarc Tow Pro Elite but I am not 100% sure how to get the wires from the inside of the car to the engine bay. I know that there is a rubber grommet under the dash but it looks too tight to put another two cables through it.

Another thing I am not sure about is how to splice into the brake light wire.

Would love some help from people who have done this themselves.

 

[Sig cx-5]

What are you wanting to tow that has electric brakes? I think the CX-5 is only rated to tow 2k lbs, which is below the threshold.

 

[stickerbush]

I have no experience with it but Curt has a wireless trailer brake controller. Easy install. There are other manufacturers of wireless controllers as well.

 

[ashram]

What are you wanting to tow that has electric brakes? I think the CX-5 is only rated to tow 2k lbs, which is below the threshold.

Will be towing a teardrop trailer which has electric brakes for extra safety. The brakes will come in handy in places like Colorado where they have crazy mountain roads.

 

[ashram]

I have no experience with it but Curt has a wireless trailer brake controller. Easy install. There are other manufacturers of wireless controllers as well.

I looked into the Curt Echo but it doesn't seems very reliable based on the reviews.

 

[BLKMK6]

Would a surge brake work for you?
As far as Curt products go, I just installed one of their powered trailer light converters and I get a hyper flash on the left side and other weird light functions. Going back to Amazon for try #2! Easy install IF it works tho

 

[Mazdiod2]

Has anybody here installed a brake controller in their CX-5?

I am toying with the idea of installing the Redarc Tow Pro Elite but I am not 100% sure how to get the wires from the inside of the car to the engine bay. I know that there is a rubber grommet under the dash but it looks too tight to put another two cables through it.

Another thing I am not sure about is how to splice into the brake light wire.

Would love some help from people who have done this themselves.

I've always found its' good to know something ahead of time because when I don't I usually do something stupid that I probably found late "just don't do this!"

Its not to hard to spice the brake wire, but you'd to seal it up.
The trailer light kit with the Curt adds an inbetween adapter you unplug the brake light harness into, then you plug it to wherever it plugs into, and it taps the brake lights for you so the trailer brake light works, so that could work.

I did poke in hole in the firewall gasket, but I couldnt see right to do it without removng the battery. threads on this forum about that.

 

[theblooms]

Tekonsha makes about the best brake controllers you can buy. I have the P2 on my Silverado and am very happy with it. But, like @Sig cx-5 pointed out, it's kinda redundant to put a trailer braking system on a CX-5. I get going up and down mountains, and that's certainly valid, but please, don't think your car can tow more than it can just because it has trailer brakes. Your transmission won't be very happy with you at all.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Will be towing a teardrop trailer which has electric brakes for extra safety. The brakes will come in handy in places like Colorado where they have crazy mountain roads.

What's the weight of the trailer empty? What will you be hauling and what's the approx. weight of this stuff?

 

[jadmt]

100% in the trailer brake camp even if towing a 2000lb trailer with a CX5. I have towed plenty with a jeep 4 door that had a 3500lb tow capacity and the jeep weighed over 5000lbs, my Aliner was just under 2000lbs and absolutely nice having trailer brakes...I am sure if only towing in flat land you might be ok but in the mountains or even in town trailer brakes are nice...

 

[ashram]

I've always found its' good to know something ahead of time because when I don't I usually do something stupid that I probably found late "just don't do this!"

Its not to hard to spice the brake wire, but you'd to seal it up.
The trailer light kit with the Curt adds an inbetween adapter you unplug the brake light harness into, then you plug it to wherever it plugs into, and it taps the brake lights for you so the trailer brake light works, so that could work.

I did poke in hole in the firewall gasket, but I couldnt see right to do it without removng the battery. threads on this forum about that.

What trailer light kit from Curt are you referring to? I already have everything installed but I am not sure which cable the COLD SIDE of the brake light switch is.

 

[ashram]

Would a surge brake work for you?
As far as Curt products go, I just installed one of their powered trailer light converters and I get a hyper flash on the left side and other weird light functions. Going back to Amazon for try #2! Easy install IF it works tho

Never looked into surge brakes to be honest. Not sure how I would go about installing them. My teardrop already comes with electric brakes.

I went with the OEM Mazda wiring harness because I read that CURT and eTrailer's version were causing issues.

 

[ashram]

100% in the trailer brake camp even if towing a 2000lb trailer with a CX5. I have towed plenty with a jeep 4 door that had a 3500lb tow capacity and the jeep weighed over 5000lbs, my Aliner was just under 2000lbs and absolutely nice having trailer brakes...I am sure if only towing in flat land you might be ok but in the mountains or even in town trailer brakes are nice...

Totally agree. Just need to figure out which cable the COLD Side of Brake Light Switch is.