Stuart RV Repair installs, repairs, and calibrates trailer brake controllers on-site across Stuart, FL and Martin County. Tekonsha, Curt, and Draw-Tite. Proportional and time-delayed systems. Wiring and 7-pin connector repair. RVIA certified.
Stuart RV Repair handles RV brake controller installation, repair, and calibration on-site across Martin County. Tekonsha P3, Curt Assure, Draw-Tite Activator, and more. New installs, wiring repair, 7-pin connector fixes, and gain calibration. $95-395 depending on the job. We come to you anywhere in Stuart, FL and surrounding areas. Call 772-280-3915. Need other hitch and leveling services? We handle those too.
A brake controller is the device mounted in your truck's cab that tells the trailer brakes how hard to apply. Without one, or with one that isn't working, your trailer is a rolling mass with no independent stopping power. That's 4,000 to 15,000 pounds of momentum relying entirely on the truck's brakes. We've seen tow vehicles come into Stuart with smoking rear brake rotors because the trailer controller wasn't sending a signal.
There are two types: proportional and time-delayed. A proportional controller like the Tekonsha P3 or Curt Assure uses an internal accelerometer to match trailer braking to vehicle braking in real time. A time-delayed controller like the Tekonsha Voyager or Draw-Tite Activator applies braking force on a preset ramp. Proportional is smoother and wears the trailer brake pads more evenly. For anything over 5,000 lbs, we always recommend proportional.
The most common failure point isn't the controller itself. It's the wiring. Specifically the 7-pin connector at the back of the truck. Salt air along the coast near Jensen Beach and Hutchinson Island corrodes those pins fast. According to Lippert, corroded trailer connectors are the #1 cause of intermittent brake failures, and that matches what we see in Martin County every week.
Almost always a wiring issue at the 7-pin connector. Corroded pins, a broken ground wire, or a cracked connector housing. We test each pin with a multimeter, find the break, and repair or replace the connector. Fix runs $95-165 and takes about 45 minutes. This is the single most common brake controller call we get.
The gain setting is wrong for your trailer's weight. If the gain is too high, the brakes lock up at low speeds. Too low and they barely slow the trailer at highway speed. We adjust the gain with the trailer loaded, do a road test, and dial it in until braking is smooth and proportional. Calibration runs $95-145.
Intermittent braking is usually a loose connection, a frayed wire that makes and loses contact over bumps, or a corroded pin that only conducts when the plug is at a certain angle. This is the trickiest issue to diagnose because it works fine when you check it in the driveway. We wiggle-test every connection and find the intermittent point.
A lot of newer trucks come without a factory-installed controller even though they have a tow package. Some have a pre-wire plug behind the dash, others don't. We figure out what your truck has, recommend the right controller for your trailer weight, install it, and calibrate it. New installs run $145-295 depending on the controller type.
Could be a wiring issue where one axle gets more current than the other, a bad ground at the trailer plug, or uneven brake pad wear. We test the voltage going to each brake magnet individually and compare them. If the wiring is fine, the issue is on the trailer side and we can address the brakes too.
If the controller lost power while the truck sat in storage, it may have lost its settings. Some controllers have a battery backup that dies over time. We check the power feed, reset the unit, recalibrate the gain, and verify the output. If the controller is dead, we'll swap in a new one at your location.
Each controller brand has a different mounting style, wiring harness, and calibration process. Here's what we work on most across Stuart, Palm City, and Martin County.
Tekonsha is the brake controller we install the most. The P3 is their top proportional model with a digital display and boost feature. The Prodigy P2 is the mid-tier proportional option. The Voyager is a reliable time-delayed controller for lighter trailers. Tekonsha makes vehicle-specific plug-in harnesses for most trucks, which keeps the install clean and avoids splicing into factory wires.
Curt has been gaining ground in the brake controller market. The Assure is their proportional model with a triple-axis accelerometer for smooth braking. The Echo is a wireless Bluetooth unit that pairs with your phone. The Venturer is the budget time-delayed option. Curt also makes discovery-style controllers that auto-detect the number of trailer axles and adjust output accordingly.
Draw-Tite controllers are popular with travel trailer owners on a budget. The Activator is a simple time-delayed unit that works well for lighter trailers up to about 6,000 lbs. The I-Command is their proportional option. Parts and replacements are easy to find. We install and service both across Martin County.
Some trucks come with factory-integrated brake controllers built into the dashboard. These are typically reliable but can develop issues with the wiring harness or module. We troubleshoot factory systems the same way we do aftermarket units, testing output voltage, checking connections, and verifying communication with the trailer. Factory controller troubleshooting starts at $95.
Call 772-280-3915 or use the online form. Tell us whether you need a new install, a repair, or calibration. Let us know your truck make/model and trailer weight. We'll schedule same or next day in Martin County.
Our tech tests the brake controller output, checks the 7-pin connector pin by pin, inspects wiring from the controller to the trailer brakes, and verifies ground connections. Written estimate before any work starts. Diagnosis takes 20-30 minutes.
We mount the controller, connect the wiring harness, calibrate the gain and sensitivity for your specific trailer, and road test to confirm smooth, even braking on all axles. One visit, one fix, safe to tow.
| Service Type | Price Range | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Time-delayed controller install | $145-195 | 1-1.5 hours |
| Proportional controller install | $195-295 | 1.5-2 hours |
| Controller troubleshooting & repair | $95-165 | 45-90 min |
| 7-pin connector replacement | $95-145 | 45 min |
| Full wiring harness (no pre-wire) | $245-395 | 2-3 hours |
| Gain calibration & road test | $95-145 | 45 min |
Got a new F-250 and it didn't come with a brake controller. The tech came to our place in Stuart, installed a Tekonsha P3 with the vehicle-specific harness, and calibrated it with our 30-footer connected. Took about two hours. Towed to Jonathan Dickinson the next weekend and the braking was perfect. Really smooth stops.
Trailer brakes were working on and off. Drove us crazy because it worked fine in the driveway every time we checked. Tech found a corroded pin inside the 7-pin plug that only made contact when the plug was seated a certain way. Replaced the whole connector, problem solved. $120 and about 40 minutes.
The gain on our old Voyager controller was never set right. Brakes would lock up at 5 mph but barely slow us at 60. The tech recalibrated it, showed us how to adjust the gain ourselves for different load conditions, and did a road test right there in our neighborhood in Port Salerno. Much better now.
Brake controller installation in Stuart runs $145-295. A time-delayed controller install costs $145-195. A proportional controller install runs $195-295 including the wiring harness and calibration. Repair and troubleshooting of an existing controller starts at $95-165. You always get a written quote first.
A proportional controller uses an accelerometer to match trailer braking to vehicle braking in real time. A time-delayed applies force on a preset ramp regardless of how hard you stop. Proportional is smoother and easier on brake pads. We recommend proportional for anything over 5,000 lbs.
Three common causes: a bad ground connection at the 7-pin plug, a corroded pin inside the connector, or a broken wire in the harness. Salt air near the coast corrodes these connectors fast. We test each pin individually and repair or replace the failing connection. Connector repairs start at $95.
Yes. If there's no factory pre-wire, we run wiring from the brake light circuit to the controller location and install a proper harness. Tekonsha and Curt make vehicle-specific plug-in harnesses for cleaner installs. Full wiring and install takes 2-3 hours.
If the trailer brakes grab too hard at low speeds, barely engage at highway speed, or feel uneven left to right, the gain setting is off. After any brake pad replacement, controller swap, or new trailer hookup, recalibrate. We do this as part of every install, and standalone calibration runs $95-145.
Yes. The 7-pin connector is the most common failure point. Corrosion, bent pins, cracked housings, and loose wiring cause intermittent brake and light failures. We carry replacement connectors and terminals on the truck. A connector replacement runs $95-165 and takes about 45 minutes.
We handle all RV hitch and leveling repairs across Martin County. Leveling jacks, fifth wheel hitches, weight distribution, and landing gear. Bundle multiple repairs in one visit.
We cover Martin County and surrounding areas for all brake controller installs and repairs. From Stuart and Palm City through Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Port Salerno, and beyond.
Call us or request a free estimate. We'll send a tech to your location with the right controller, wiring, and tools. New installs, connector repairs, gain calibration. All done at your driveway or campground.