Moving between tow vehicles, trailers and caravans just got easier for drivers with the release of Bendix’s new Ultimate Tow+™ Portable Electric Brake Controller — a fully portable, plug-and-play solution that takes the hassle out of swapping between tow vehicles and trailers.
Unlike fixed brake controllers that tie you to a single vehicle, the Ultimate Tow+™ is designed for flexibility. It lets any compatible vehicle with a towbar become tow-ready in just minutes, no matter which trailer with electric brakes is hitched up.
Installation is straightforward and drill-free. Thanks to its smart plug-and-play design, the controller connects using a patch harness that slips between your vehicle’s existing 7-pin or 12-pin trailer plugs, securing easily to the trailer’s A-frame with heavy-duty reusable straps.
Power is fed to the controller in two ways: if the vehicle has a 12-pin plug, it uses the dedicated 12V feed. For 7-pin setups, it taps into the existing light and accessory circuits via the harness cable.
Inside the vehicle, the in-cabin control unit is powered by either USB-A, USB-C or a supplied lighter socket adaptor. It wirelessly connects to the trailer-mounted unit via RF, and mounts neatly to the dash using a magnetic vent mount or 3M-backed holder — both are included in the kit.
Instead of needing to fit expensive permanent brake controllers in multiple vehicles, this one unit can be used across the board, delivering significant savings for families and businesses alike.
All trailers with a gross trailer mass (GTM) between 750kg and 2000kg must legally have mechanical or electric brakes. Vehicles with a GTM above 2000kg will require an electric or electric over hydraulic braking system with an electric break-away controller.
A fully portable, plug-and-play solution
Precision braking, anywhere you tow
Controlling the braking effort is made easy with the controller’s simple user interface. Unlike many brake controllers that offer only 12 adjustment points, the Bendix unit boasts 30 levels of digital brake force modulation, allowing fine-tuning for varied towing loads and terrain.
Smooth braking is also aided by Bendix’s Cushion Stop Technology, which softens the brake signal for more measured deceleration.
No need to rely on a smartphone to operate the unit — legal considerations aside, everything is handled by the standalone remote, which includes a colour display, dial and override button. It gives full control from the driver’s seat and remains completely independent from mobile devices.
The brake controller is built for Aussie conditions and the trailer plug module is rated IP67, so it’s ready for water crossings and beach driving.
Control your braking easily via the standalone remote
Built-in safety and reliability
For added peace of mind, the Ultimate Tow+™ Portable Electric Brake Controller includes an onboard fault monitoring system. If the power supply to the brake controller drops or the trailer plug disconnects, it notifies the driver through both audio and visual alerts.
Even if the in-cabin controller loses connection or power, the failsafe trailer brakes will continue operating based on the last known settings. A secure, encrypted re-pairing function ensures that one remote can pair securely with multiple trailers, with zero risk of interference between trailers with similar systems in close range.
You can transfer the controller between your vehicles
The system also features built-in override functions — perfect for managing trailer sway — that enable drivers to apply the trailer brakes independently from the vehicle’s brakes at the touch of a button.
The Bendix Ultimate Tow+™ Portable Electric Brake Controller is backed by a five-year warranty and is available from leading auto parts retailers across Australia and New Zealand.
To find out more, head to the Bendix website.
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