Does the Prodify brake controller need to be permanently mounted to function correctly?

I have an 05 Ex with the Prodigy brake controller. Like many, I wasn't excited about drilling holes in my dash to mount the thing, nor did the concept of drilling holes in the back of the cubby seem good. So...procrastination kicked in and I've done, well, nothing. I just plug it in and either rest it on my leg or some other silly thing for the little bit that I do tow. For awhile, I used wide velcro to hold it under the cubby, but that velcro didn't last.

Now that I am getting ready to tow for a few thousand miles, though, I want to do something permanent but wonder if my controller is defective.

Here's the question: Does the Prodigy need to be rigidly mounted somewhere to function correctly? It seems to keep the brakes slightly (or more) applied, to the point where my utility trailer rims were warm to the touch. In fact, upon thinking about it now, I had one tire on that trailer go bald in just one spot last year, forcing a replacement of the tire - I had just chalked it up to something bizarre at the time, but now I see the potential connection.

I also now recall having a harder time than I remember previously having pulling my 9000# TT when I went camping nearby the other month.

Do I have a bad controller or do I just need to mount the thing and all issues will go away?

 

Prodigy, like most high-end controls reacts to the rate at which the vehicle is deaccelerating. I am guessing you are not tossing it through the air, so I can't see off the top of my head why it would make a difference. Why not just check the seven pin at the rear and leave the Prodigy lying on the seat and see if you have voltage on the pin for the brakes?

My two cents worth,

Steve

 

I have a prodigy myself and can't seem to find the instructions to save my life right now. Poking around on the web I found that it is recommended that the controller be permanently mounted with the front of the unit level +/- 20 degrees and parallel to the direction of travel +/- 20 degrees.
Here is a website where I found the info:
Prodigy P2 Brake controller instructions


Kevin

 

The issue with mounting is one of safety. As long as it is stationary, it has no way to tell if it is permanently mounted, however it can not be floating or moving out of syche with the truck.

I am by no means suggesting I agree with holding it in one's lap, etc. I think the safety issue is very important, but from an operational standpoint, as long as it is stationery it should work. The real issue, however is whether it is activating the brakes and one can tell that by simply hooking it up and seeing whether there is power on the brake pin at the seven pin.

Steve

 

To vindicate myself a little bit here - I only had it in my lap for one tow that was less than five miles. There's no way I'd suggest that anyone keep it that way.

I'll check the voltage on the 7pin when it's parked to see what it shows.

 

Good man!

Steve

 

I felt the same way. My solution was to drill the hole in the back of the cubby and then just wedge the controller and bracket in there when I am using it. When I pull it out I can't even see the hole in the back of the cubby. When it is in the cubby it doesn't move at all because with the bracket on, it is a nice tightly wedged fit.

 

Anyone have any photos of their mounting solutions? I am transferring my brake controller into the X I recently purchased, and am open to ideas on locations and fitments.

Thanks!

 

Here is how I mounted mine.

 

This is what I did, but I was a bit lazy and just let the wire run out and around the controller and then under the dash from the front to the connection. The controller wedges very nicely, I've had mine wedged in there since early 2000 and it's never moved and I can use the manual trailer brake without the controller moving at all. The controller works perfectly and when I did the after install checking it was within factory suggested limits.

If you don't want to have the wire hanging out like I did, (with a wire tie on the wire at the edge of the bottom of the dash the wire stays tucked close to the dash nicely) a small hole in the back of the cubby isn't a bad way to go, it's hard to see back there anyway. If you don't keep your controller in the vehicle when you're not towing, I'd go my lazy route.

 

I have mine mounted exactly like jh818 and it works perfectly for me.

 

Did you do the recommended calibration tests to make sure you're not overly braking with the trailer more than with the truck? You could be over applying your trailer brakes causing them to over work since they are stopping the trailer and the truck.

A loose brake controller will not stay in place under emergency braking if it is on your lap or seat. As you know, things go flying forward in emergency braking. This would cause your trailer to not apply the brakes when needed and then rapidly apply the brakes at the wrong time, a dangerous situation. Be sure to mount it securely for all tows.

You can find a spare lower dash panel for pretty cheap. I think a few are available from part out X's in this forum. Just buy a spare to keep pretty and drill one of them. Then you have a clean one for when you sell it or if you really get sick of seeing the brake controller bracket/holes between tows. I have a few unmolested spare parts sittin' around to replace moded parts if I change my mind in the future.

 

No holes in my dash.




https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ontroller.html

 

Mine is mounted that way too, holes were already in my dash when I bought my truck. I tucked my wiring in nicely so it cannot be seen.

 

Here's what mine looks like.



Here's the hole.



With the controller out and the wire tucked back into the hole I can still use the cubby. You would have to bend way down to even see the back where the hole is.