brake controller
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Elder User
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From: AL
brake controller
I just pulled the old pace setter hydralic brake controller out of my 70 F250. I plan to install a new electronic brake controller in this truck. I need something for a two axle trailer. What are good brands to look for? Are there any brands to stay away from?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
Tekonsha is the big dog in the industry so their Prodigy line gets the most ink, but I think you find any of the controls with acceleramators work very well and, other then the bells and whistles there is little difference in the stopping action. Cheaper timed controls are less expensive and get the job done just fine, but with some jerking.
Difference is whether the trailer brakes activate in line with the braking rate of the truck or according to how long your foot is on the whoa pedal. If you are going to keep it a while, spend a few extra dollars and get one of the higher end controllers as I think you will find the seamless action in line with the truck brakes is great and built-in self-diagnostics are extremely useful when things go on the fritz.
My thoughts,
Steve
Difference is whether the trailer brakes activate in line with the braking rate of the truck or according to how long your foot is on the whoa pedal. If you are going to keep it a while, spend a few extra dollars and get one of the higher end controllers as I think you will find the seamless action in line with the truck brakes is great and built-in self-diagnostics are extremely useful when things go on the fritz.
My thoughts,
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
Huskys use the terms "acclerometer" versus "time ramp" and "proportional/progressive" versus "preset braking" and Hopkins uses "proportional" versus "time ramp" to just pull two competitors out of a catalog in front of me. Other manufacturers use similar terminology.
If in doubt, you can always check in back here as there are plenty of folks who have a wide range of knowledge about towing and controllers.
Good luck,
Steve
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From: AL
Thanks! Due to time constraints I'm planning to have a local truck & trailer palce wire it and I'm sure they have their brand preferance. I will find out what it is and check back here. Thanks for the help. I will stay a way from any controller that has the word "time" in the description. I'm sure when I tell the local place I want one with an accelerometer they will know what I want. My buddy used this place and I'm pretty sure that is how he described his controller.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Millersville, MD
Other than the controllers being great, Tekonsha has gotta be the BEST manufacturer to work with IF you have a problem with their products (rare but it happens). One phone call and they will troubleshoot with you right then. If it's their problem, you get a brand new unit shipped to you. Really good people there!
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From: Home Base Nebraska
May I ask why you are pulling your hydraulic actuated controller out, they where the first and best truly propositional brake controllers. The only reason we had to go to the electronic ones is because of ABS brakes on the rear. I tried about every electronic controller out there and I didn't like any of them, now I have a Brakesmart that works off the master cylinder so we are back to a proportional controller again. If yours isn't leaking I would just leave it alone and enjoy a great controller.
Denny
Denny
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From: AL
doing some reading on a kelsey hayes hydralic controller had me a little afraid:
"Any failure in the trailer brake controller hydraulics results in failure of the tow vehicle's braking systems. For this reason the installation of a Kelsey Hayes hydraulic trailer brake controller is not recommended for anything other than a show vehicle."
This unit sounds cool, it uses a sensor in the brake line:
MaxBrake™ - Hydraulic over Electric Variable Brake Controller
"Any failure in the trailer brake controller hydraulics results in failure of the tow vehicle's braking systems. For this reason the installation of a Kelsey Hayes hydraulic trailer brake controller is not recommended for anything other than a show vehicle."
This unit sounds cool, it uses a sensor in the brake line:
MaxBrake™ - Hydraulic over Electric Variable Brake Controller
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 897
From: Home Base Nebraska
doing some reading on a kelsey hayes hydralic controller had me a little afraid:
"Any failure in the trailer brake controller hydraulics results in failure of the tow vehicle's braking systems. For this reason the installation of a Kelsey Hayes hydraulic trailer brake controller is not recommended for anything other than a show vehicle."
This unit sounds cool, it uses a sensor in the brake line:
MaxBrake™ - Hydraulic over Electric Variable Brake Controller
"Any failure in the trailer brake controller hydraulics results in failure of the tow vehicle's braking systems. For this reason the installation of a Kelsey Hayes hydraulic trailer brake controller is not recommended for anything other than a show vehicle."
This unit sounds cool, it uses a sensor in the brake line:
MaxBrake™ - Hydraulic over Electric Variable Brake Controller
Denny
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
May I ask why you are pulling your hydraulic actuated controller out, they where the first and best truly propositional brake controllers. The only reason we had to go to the electronic ones is because of ABS brakes on the rear. I tried about every electronic controller out there and I didn't like any of them, now I have a Brakesmart that works off the master cylinder so we are back to a proportional controller again. If yours isn't leaking I would just leave it alone and enjoy a great controller.
Denny
Denny
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Other than the controllers being great, Tekonsha has gotta be the BEST manufacturer to work with IF you have a problem with their products (rare but it happens). One phone call and they will troubleshoot with you right then. If it's their problem, you get a brand new unit shipped to you. Really good people there!
Has anyone had a bad experience with customer service from any controller supplier? Since this an issue of liability in the event of an accident, I have always had great customer support or a new controller pronto. The other side of that coin is, if you call in and they don't solve the problem, they are facing a major problem if there is an accident.
Steve
Last edited by RV_Tech; Oct 12, 2012 at 03:27 PM. Reason: left out a word
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
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From: Stillwater, OK
pressure proportional brake controllers were wonderful things back then and they are again today.
Timed brake controllers are awful. If you want to stop faster than they ramp up, you have to do without trailer brakes for a few seconds. If you want a fast ramp, you have to deal with a trailer jerking you around every time your brake lights come on.
Pendulum controllers are awful. If you're not level and moving straight, they do unpredictable things.
Accelerometer controllers are bad... While they work better than the other two, they still have one major flaw. If you aren't slowing down, you still don't have trailer brakes. They react to the tow vehicle's brakes which results in jerking.
Being able to apply the trailer brakes in proportion to the tow vehicle's brakes is second to none.
Timed brake controllers are awful. If you want to stop faster than they ramp up, you have to do without trailer brakes for a few seconds. If you want a fast ramp, you have to deal with a trailer jerking you around every time your brake lights come on.
Pendulum controllers are awful. If you're not level and moving straight, they do unpredictable things.
Accelerometer controllers are bad... While they work better than the other two, they still have one major flaw. If you aren't slowing down, you still don't have trailer brakes. They react to the tow vehicle's brakes which results in jerking.
Being able to apply the trailer brakes in proportion to the tow vehicle's brakes is second to none.