Bendix Ultimate Tow+™ proving popular with owners

Since launching in Australia and New Zealand in May this year, Bendix’s innovative Ultimate Tow+™ Portable Electric Brake Controller has become a popular choice for owners who regularly move between different trailers and caravans, and now the product has received official ‘Australian Made’ certification.

In recent months, the Controller has recorded strong sales and earned plaudits from owners and the broader industry thanks to easy and fast changeover between tow vehicles and an impressive 30 levels of fine digital force adjustment, allowing users to closely modulate braking over a range of towing conditions.

Bendix’s Ultimate Tow™ Portable Electric Brake Controller has been popular amongst buyers, and now the product has received official ‘Australian Made’ certification.

Chatter on social media has also been healthy with prospective owners taking to Bendix’s Facebook and Instagram pages to learn more about Ultimate Tow+™. Not surprisingly given Bendix’s leading position in the industry, braking performance was seen as a given, with questions instead focusing on fitment and functionality, compatibility with tow vehicles / towables, longevity and legalities. Below is a summary of common discussion themes which may be useful to both existing owners and prospective buyers

Fitment and functionality
Ultimate Tow+™ includes a patch harness that easily mounts between vehicles’ existing seven and/or 12-pin trailer / caravan plugs, so tow vehicles don’t need a hard-wired harness.

The unit can be moved quickly (under 15 minutes) and easily from any vehicle fitted with a tow bar and ADR trailer socket to any other vehicle fitted with a tow bar and ADR trailer socket. It can also be used on any trailer fitted with electric trailer brakes or electric over hydraulic trailer brakes.

The controller offers 30 levels of fine digital force adjustment to closely modulate braking to suit the application and conditions.

Compatibility
Ultimate Tow+™ is designed to work with Australia’s most popular vehicles including Ford Ranger and Everest.

Power to the trailer or caravan is supplied in one of two ways. If the tow vehicle is fitted with an ADR compliant 12 pin trailer socket, Ultimate Tow+™ draws its power from the 12V (up to 24V) supply on the socket. If the vehicle is fitted with an ADR spec 7 pin socket, DC power is taken from the taillight circuit and the stop light circuit. The harness will continue to provide power to the trailer lights from the vehicle.

The included patch harness easily mounts between vehicles' existing seven and/or 12-pin trailer / caravan plugs, so tow vehicles don’t need a hard-wired harness.

Ultimate Tow+™ is also compatible with AL-KO ESC and Dexter DSC sway control systems. Additionally, the unit features an override button allowing the driver to independently brake the trailer bringing it back into line should trailer sway occur.

Inside the cabin, the control interface is USB-powered (either USB A or USB C) or via the lighter socket adaptor provided, and connects to the trailer unit via encrypted RF pairing. There are several different in-cabin mounts available for the controller, ensuring sturdy and secure positioning.

Moving the unit between any vehicles fitted with a tow bar and ADR trailer socket can be done quickly (under 15 minutes) and easily.

Longevity
Confident of its long-term performance in demanding local conditions and applications, Bendix has backed Ultimate Tow+™ with a 5-year warranty. Owners can also rest assured knowing that the trailer module features tough aluminium housing and is sealed to IP67, which makes it suitable for river crossings and beach driving.

Legalities
Ultimate Tow+™ has been developed and tested in Australia and is manufactured locally meeting all ADR requirements. Legally, all trailers with a gross trailer mass of between 750kg and 2,000kg need to be fitted with either a mechanical or electrical braking system, so the unit allows owners to meet this need.

The unit also uses a dedicated in-car controller rather than a phone app – in many places it is illegal to use mobile phone features while driving or when stopped at traffic lights.

Ultimate Tow+™ is designed to work with Australia’s most popular vehicles including Ford Ranger and Everest. The kit includes everything required for easy installation along with various in-cabin mount options for the controller.