AllOutdoor Review – RealTruck Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller
We have entered fall with abundant hunting seasons, and that means many of us are either going hunting, working on yard clean-up, “honey do” lists, or all of the above. This can translate into a lot of use for our trucks and towing all manner of trailers. Can your truck brake safely with a heavy load behind it? Have you accounted for this by having the necessary tools for your truck/s? In today’s review, we are going to take a look at a Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller that we received from RealTruck.com. This won’t be added to a truck to haul a trophy whitetail deer out of the woods. Rather, it is for a truck meant to pull an enclosed trailer of folding tables to be setup at a gun show – God Bless America! So, let’s see how the Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller from RealTruck.com performs. Let’s dive in!
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Specifications – RealTruck Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller
The Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller from RealTruck.com (CRT-51146) has an MSRP of $149.99 making it pretty affordable for most people who are in search of a brake controller for their truck and trailer. It is meant to be an incredibly easy-to-install product, and it is backed with a limited lifetime warranty via Curt Manufacturing, LLC so you can feel safe and secure while doing any tow job. Additionally, when sourcing this part from RealTruck.com, you get free shipping as well.
Technical Specs
- Operates 2-8 trailer brakes at a time (1-4 axle)
- Time-delay brake controller with fully adjustable power & ramp time
- 10 different gain settings & 9 different load settings
- Built-in reverse polarity & short circuit protection
- Compatible with low-volt, PWM, ABS, cruise control and electric over hydraulic
- Auto-sleep prevents battery drain after five minutes of idle time
- Mounting hardware included
Standout Features
- Three models to choose from (Discovery, Venturer, Triflex)
- Durably constructed to ensure years of use
- Choose from time activated or inertial activated braking
- Inertia controllers are self-leveling and may be mounted up to 70°
- Compatible with anti-lock brakes & cruise control
A Word from RealTruck on the Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller
With the Curt Trailer Brake Controller, you get a product that is made to fit your individual trailer braking needs. Applications range from single axle snowmobile or utility trailers to large quad axle car haulers. In addition, all models work with anti-lock brake systems and cruise control. Curt always manufactures their products to last. With these brake controllers, you better believe they will last you the long haul. With different types to choose from you can pick the controller that best suits your needs. A timed controller works based upon the slowness of the vehicle. Once pressure is applied to the brake the sensors will kick in and apply a more equal breaking. With an inertia-based controller it will use a pendulum sensor to sense deceleration and apply the brake.
The Curt Trailer Brake Controller comes complete with mounting hardware and easy to follow step-by-step instructions that make installation a breeze. These controllers are the most user-friendly trailer brake on the market, giving you the right trailer brake no matter what your needs may be.
Installation – RealTruck Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller
As we get into the weeds of this review, we are going to walk you through the entire installation process from start-to-finish. If our summary of the process seems in any way lacking to you, you can also check out the installation instructions that are available HERE in the form of a 16-page PDF if you would like the most thorough and expanded-out installation explanation possible. With that being said, let’s dive in!
Taking the main module out of the box, you will want to verify that nothing looks damaged during the shipping process. No frayed wires, broken plastic housing, nothing like that. Our Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller from RealTruck.com appeared to be in tip-top shape. So, we were good to go with the beginning of our installation process.
Next, you are going to look under the driver’s side steering wheel area, and identify if you have a wiring harness to connect your Brake Controller to (we did), and you may have to remove any previous wire modules that are mounted or present.
If you happen to have a wire module inside your truck (like ours does), then you will want to go ahead and remove that one to make room for the new one.
This was a pretty simple task yet I would be cautious to remove these parts slowly because you may need to reuse screws, threaded holes, and other elements. You simply never know.
Once that is complete, you will now have a cleaning and open working area to add in the Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller from RealTruck.com. I saved the screws I just removed thinking I could reuse them, but we’ll soon find out that those won’t be of value to us anymore in this project.
Instead of attempting to fabricate a new mounting area, I looked to utilize the one that was already present. The mounting bracket for the brake controller was not a perfect match to the old mounting area, but again, I didn’t want to drill new holes and question the sturdiness. So, we were going to see if we can make this spot work.
I reused one of the screws that I originally removed, and I was able to firmly secure the mounting bracket for the Brake Controller from RealTruck.com. Again, I was only able to anchor one side, but this was a learning process for myself as this was installed.
When I looked to attach the main module to the mounting bracket, I ran into a roadblock.
The screw that I recycled and reused had a head that protruded too far out – it did not sit flush. So, the main module could not go onto the mounting bracket. So, I headed to the hardware store to find some longer screws with similar thread that sat flush in the mounting bracket.
After going back to the drawing board and finding new, correct screws I was able to re-mount the mounting bracket into place. Again, it was only one side that I was able to attach, but it was very firm nonetheless and it was holding a very light, plastic main module.
And this time, the main module did fit onto the mounting bracket with the flush-mounted screws I was able to find.
Next, we are going to connect our mounted main module to the wiring harness already present in your truck. You will have wanted to verify that they are compatible and even can be connected to each other before you have gotten this far. Determine the harness style needed (CURT custom vehicle harness or CURT universal splice-in pigtail harness). I did this initially, and we are finally at the point where we are looking to connect them.
Ours were compatible so we were good to go to connect everything.
With the main module mounted and the wiring harness attached, I was essentially done with the installation. To revisit some of our missteps and unused equipment, I did not use any zip-ties to tie down or tuck away the wiring harness or any other components. I could easily shove or push them out of the way, and they stayed where I placed them. Also, since I knew I wasn’t going to be using any of the zip-ties, I never made the concerted effort to see that the flush-mounted screws I needed were in that same bag all along. So, save yourself some pocket change and don’t go buy extra screws at the hardware store like I did.
Performance – RealTruck Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller
So, with installation complete and everything functioning properly, how did the brake controller perform under live use? Some of the first maiden voyages were a 260 mile roundtrip to southern Minnesota, and another 180 mile roundtrip to northern Minnesota. These trips were identical in their hauling payload by towing an enclosed trailer with several thousand pounds of equipment inside. While the roads were not covered in snow, ice, or rain, weather was still a factor on both trips due to wind. You can definitely feel crosswinds gusting and pushing on the truck and trailer, but the Brake Controller worked as intended. Ensuring more controlled stops and better handling of the unit (truck + trailer) as a whole.
Pros
- Relatively easy installation (still recommend speed-reading the Owner’s Manual)
- Generally affordable
- Fast shipping, good company to work with (RealTruck.com)
Cons
- Understanding/Identifying compatibility
- In defense of RealTruck.com, they go to great lengths to assist in you – the customer – have chosen the right product for your vehicle. Even still, having a moderate understanding of electrical components and an extreme assuredness in the make/model of your truck is needed so you don’t get the wrong parts (you need to be 100% positive that you bought a “square peg for a square hole”)
Final Thoughts
So, what are my final thoughts on the Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller from RealTruck.com?… I have had this brake controller for several months now, and it has assisted in a couple different long-haul trips (300 miles or less) within the confines of Minnesota for work. I believe this brake controller tis going to get a real workout this winter when our state becomes a frigid snow globe like always, but thus far, it has worked exactly as advertised. With a generally affordable price and an easy installation, I feel confident in recommending this to anyone who is in need of a brake controller. And even if this specific brake controller is not what you are looking for, be sure to check out RealTruck.com because they have a lot of options for you to pick from. Surely they will have something that will suit your needs.
In closing, I want to say thank you to RealTruck.com for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller from RealTruck.com is something worth spending your money on? Would you potentially deploy one on your hunting truck to haul a trophy harvest plus your gear? Add one to a truck hauling a pull-behind camper, or something similar? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about RealTruck.com and the Curt Triflex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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