[1955chickenWing]

Hi, I just purchased a 2019 Atlas 4motion with a factory installed tow package. I got a Curt 7 pin connector and a Curt Echo Bluetooth brake controller which plugs in line with the 7 pin connector off the back bumper. I had no power to the trailer so a after metering the plug we found it dead. Today I went to the dealer and diagnostics showed a controller inside a body panel blew yesterday probably due to me hooking up one of the two items. Covered under warranty 0.

Now it gets a bit weird. The dealer thinks I don’t need a brake controller cause the Atlas has one mounted inside the body by the 3rd row seats. However there is no documentation in the owners manual. Also VW of America says it doesn’t exist. Not sure why a brake board would be mounted by the 3rd row seats if not.

Also I just can’t believe the Curt Echo unit blew the unit. I got it cause there is no alteration to the wiring harness or bolting a unit to your dashboard.

If anyone has had experience with this please respond. I’m in limbo on what to do.

 

[pingman222]

this is weird, but here's my story. went last weekend to pick up my travel trailer 5 hours away. bought a tekonsha P3 and went to hardwire it in. get it hooked up and there's no power. my Audi tech buddy says I must have shorted it and blown a fuse when the factory connector was cut. every fuse checked and continuity tested with a multimeter and was good. I was dumbfounded but have also heard the brake controller harness fuse was hidden somewhere not listed normally, what gives with that??

so in the pinch with no tekonsha, I borrowed a Curt Echo...plugged right in, setup in seconds and was on our way, it worked just fine even with a blown brake harness fuse.

I just got the atlas fixed this week, dealer confirmed it was a blown fuse but did not document which one or where its located in the service notes. they said normally blown fuses are not covered under warranty but they would handle it in this case. I still can't even prove to myself that I was the one who blew this fuse either.

as far as the integrated brake controller in the 3rd row, that's the first time I've ever heard anything about that!

Hi, I just purchased a 2019 Atlas 4motion with a factory installed tow package. I got a Curt 7 pin connector and a Curt Echo Bluetooth brake controller which plugs in line with the 7 pin connector off the back bumper. I had no power to the trailer so a after metering the plug we found it dead. Today I went to the dealer and diagnostics showed a controller inside a body panel blew yesterday probably due to me hooking up one of the two items. Covered under warranty

.

Now it gets a bit weird. The dealer thinks I don’t need a brake controller cause the Atlas has one mounted inside the body by the 3rd row seats. However there is no documentation in the owners manual. Also VW of America says it doesn’t exist. Not sure why a brake board would be mounted by the 3rd row seats if not.

Also I just can’t believe the Curt Echo unit blew the unit. I got it cause there is no alteration to the wiring harness or bolting a unit to your dashboard.

If anyone has had experience with this please respond. I’m in limbo on what to do.

 

[tc1uscg]

Hi, I just purchased a 2019 Atlas 4motion with a factory installed tow package. I got a Curt 7 pin connector and a Curt Echo Bluetooth brake controller which plugs in line with the 7 pin connector off the back bumper. I had no power to the trailer so a after metering the plug we found it dead. Today I went to the dealer and diagnostics showed a controller inside a body panel blew yesterday probably due to me hooking up one of the two items. Covered under warranty 0.

Now it gets a bit weird. The dealer thinks I don’t need a brake controller cause the Atlas has one mounted inside the body by the 3rd row seats. However there is no documentation in the owners manual. Also VW of America says it doesn’t exist. Not sure why a brake board would be mounted by the 3rd row seats if not.

Also I just can’t believe the Curt Echo unit blew the unit. I got it cause there is no alteration to the wiring harness or bolting a unit to your dashboard.

If anyone has had experience with this please respond. I’m in limbo on what to do.

Can you provide a picture of where it's at? Is it behind the plastic or out in the open?

 

[lrm100]

Did you ever get an answer to this? I just bought a trailer that's recommended brakecontroller is the Curt Echo. I logged on here to check about 7-pin connectors for my vehicle, when I saw your thread. My car is the 2021 Atlas SE (includes the factory hitch). Thanks!

 

[Atlas owner fs4cy]

Hi, I just purchased a 2019 Atlas 4motion with a factory installed tow package. I got a Curt 7 pin connector and a Curt Echo Bluetooth brake controller which plugs in line with the 7 pin connector off the back bumper. I had no power to the trailer so a after metering the plug we found it dead. Today I went to the dealer and diagnostics showed a controller inside a body panel blew yesterday probably due to me hooking up one of the two items. Covered under warranty 0.

Now it gets a bit weird. The dealer thinks I don’t need a brake controller cause the Atlas has one mounted inside the body by the 3rd row seats. However there is no documentation in the owners manual. Also VW of America says it doesn’t exist. Not sure why a brake board would be mounted by the 3rd row seats if not.

Also I just can’t believe the Curt Echo unit blew the unit. I got it cause there is no alteration to the wiring harness or bolting a unit to your dashboard.

If anyone has had experience with this please respond. I’m in limbo on what to do.

 

[Mitts]

When I asked my dealer do they install a brake controller for the Atlas Cross sport, this was his response: ." VW do not offer an installation of brake controller. Our Mechanic explained why. The vehicle is designed and programed to pull up to 5000 pounds. The computer detects the weight on the trailer and adjusts automatically all systems by applying different power on the different brakes whenever is needed. It’s adjusting as well ALL drivers assist functions that can not controlled by the added brake controller.""

I thought you needed a brake controller to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[TomFoolery]

When I asked my dealer do they install a brake controller for the Atlas Cross sport, this was his response: ." VW do not offer an installation of brake controller. Our Mechanic explained why. The vehicle is designed and programed to pull up to 5000 pounds. The computer detects the weight on the trailer and adjusts automatically all systems by applying different power on the different brakes whenever is needed. It’s adjusting as well ALL drivers assist functions that can not controlled by the added brake controller.""

I thought you needed a brake controller to activate the electric brakes on the trailer.

Any thoughts on this?

That was my understanding of the purpose of the brake controller as well.....to control the trailer's brakes.....Can anyone chime in on this? BTW, we just acquired a 2021 Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Ultra-Lite 199DD. Trying to do all of the math on payload/weight/etc to make sure we will not grind the 2018 SEL 4Motion V6 Atlas into metal shavings towing this thing around.

 

[Gruemeister]

The Atlas with tow package is pre-wired for a brake controller. The brake controller controls the brakes of the trailer, not the Atlas. And above certain weight, it is required by law. There is a video on Youtube on where the pre-wire is located (in the footwell on the driver's side). You will need to purchase the proper adapter cable based on which brand of brake controller you want to install.

Some of these dealers answers are.... dumbfounding. I cannot believe they are putting out such misinformation. I would rather them say "I don't know" that to say these things.

 

[TomFoolery]

Gruemeister,

Do you know what type/where to find a brake controller adapter for the Atlas? The only ones I can find online are for domestics, Toyota, and Honda. VW seems to be a ghost. BTW, I'm looking at the Reese EVN proportional electric brake controller PN#: 8508211. Listed here on Amazon.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Gruemeister]

Gruemeister,

Do you know what type/where to find a brake controller adapter for the Atlas? The only ones I can find online are for domestics, Toyota, and Honda. VW seems to be a ghost. BTW, I'm looking at the Reese EVN proportional electric brake controller PN#: 8508211. Listed here on Amazon.

Thanks,
Chris

I found the one I was looking for on eBay, for the Tekonsha P3. It is just a guy who makes them. I looked in eTrailer, and it seems most want you to hot wire them. If you Google it and cannot find it, your only choice is to hotwire it, which I personally would not do. Some people are comfortable with that. I am not.

 

[Mitts]

I am going to bypass the wiring and purchase the Curt Echo brake controller which works with Bluetooth and a phone app.

 

[Nicky g]

I am going to bypass the wiring and purchase the Curt Echo brake controller which works with Bluetooth and a phone app.

How'd the Bluetooth controller work for you? I have the same one I just purchased and plan to install tomorrow when I pick up my new KZ 180rbt trailer. I'm reading a mixture of things on here as to what works and what doesn't. Someone mentioned that you need to plug the Curt in, then plug the trailer in, then it'll work.

 

[AndyS]

I found the one I was looking for on eBay, for the Tekonsha P3. It is just a guy who makes them. I looked in eTrailer, and it seems most want you to hot wire them. If you Google it and cannot find it, your only choice is to hotwire it, which I personally would not do. Some people are comfortable with that. I am not.

This e-bay harness is $60, but i just found them available at e-trailer.com: https://www.etrailer.com/p-TK22FR.html
They're manufactured by Tekonsha and are $17.66 right now (25%off).