I have a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller from my previous 2004 F250 that isn't needed now because my current 2007 F250 has the integrated brake controller. Should I keep the Prodigy as a back up? Or putting it another way, is the IBC a reliable unit?

 

I've had my prodigy sine 2004 when I bought my truck new and installed it myself. Never once did it give me any problems and it's actually a very good unit, well back in 04-05 it was

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I would keep it for back up. Or as soon as a friend needed it, pass it on cheap or free.

 

LOL.....appx 2.5 years ago i asked myself this very question
I had a brand new Prodigy Brake Controller that was only in my truck like 2-3 months & when i bought my KingRanch (which has the integrated controller) I ended up selling the Prodigy on eBay.
Figured the Integrated looks/functions so good i'd want to replace it if it ever messed up anyway

 

IMO, you can't beat a hard mount conveniently located trailer brake lever.

 

Brake controllers are cheap (under $200) so I'd say throw it away and, if down the road you need another, just purchase a new one.

Alternate plan, sell this ten year old controller on craigslist and perhaps buy yourself a six pack of cold ones.

 

Sell it. The IBC is hands down so much better.

 

I am always odd man out on this one, but if you tabulate the number of questions and complaints about the ITCs that post on FTE in relationship to how many of the aftermarket models are out there, it hard to make a case that the integrated controllers are as reliable, at least to my limited ability in statistics.

I have trucks with an ITC and one with a high-end after-market and my position is, if it were possible to arrange a test in which drivers were blindfolded, no one could tell which controller was doing the stopping.

In my opinion the integrated controllers purport to solve a problem no one with a high-end aftermarket controller was having. Again this is just me and I respect the folks who feel otherwise.

Steve

 

I vote for selling it. I don't think trucks with the IBC come with the harness to easily wire in an aftermarket controller either, but I could be wrong on that.

Interesting perspective Steve. Which high end controllers are available that compare favorably with the IBC? Seems like most of the complaints I see on the IBC are those with wiring problems on the trailer. The IBC in my new truck didn't work the first time I hooked to my trailer, but it was an issue with the plug at the back of the truck that would have done the same if I had an aftermarket controller.

 

I would tend to agree with Steve, the cool factor on the intergrated ones is very high as is the cost of diagnosing and fixing an issue with them. My Prodigy controller was giving me problems last year so I took it back to the place I bought it from 5 years ago and come to find out they have a lifetime warranty on them. So I walked out of the store with a brand new controller no questions asked..

 

Tom,

Here is my perspective.

First of all, let's not forget complaints about the high-end aftermarket controllers were a rarity long before the ITCs came on board (and again I have one so I am not simply trying to dis what I don't have.)

For all the magic ITCs seem to offer, they simply integrate two very old styles of activation, pedal pressure and accelerometer. How much the pedal pressure adds to the action of the accelerometer is, from my own experience open to debate. I would truly be amazed if the average user could tell them apart in action.

While I would certainly agree the problem with most controllers is not the controller, but is with the connections, from my vantage point there are far more posts on FTE when the problem really is with the controller and the tech support for the aftermarket controllers is nothing short of phenomenal. Call em on the phone and they will walk you through the entire troubleshooting process. Try that with your Ford dealer.

In addition, the diagnostics built into the aftermarket controller far exceed those in the ITCs. If I hit the switch for diagnostics on my aftermarket controller, it almost eliminates the need for me to test with a meter. I can get brake amp draw and voltage to the brakes sitting in the driver's seat. I see this as perhaps the weakest feature of the ITCs, at least in my 2010.

I also enjoy having a boost I can set with brake pedal activation so, if I choose, I have some to a lot of trailer brakes as soon as I hit the pedal. I can vary it by the relationship between my weight of my truck and what I am towing.

Finally, even now some folks continue to struggle with their ITC not working with certain hydraulic braking systems and find themselves having to purchase additional components so the controller will work properly or at all with their towable brakes. The aftermarket guys resolved those issues years ago.

Now, having said all of that, some of the things I have listed are just me and I understand that. If you have an ITC and are happy with it, great! I hope Ford continues to improve it. I do not regard it as a step backwards, but more a step to the side. In the same light, if I had an aftermarket controller with which I were happy, I would never take it out and install an ITC. Just different strokes for different folks!

To answer your question as to specific controllers, many folks really like their Prodigies, I have heard very good things about Max Brake, and I personally use a Hayes G2.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve, reps sent!

I've had two different Prodigy controllers, and while they are infinitely better than time delay units I found them to be badly lacking compared to the IBC. Of course it's just my opinion, but I have a hard time imagining someone not feeling the difference towing with each; there have been times with both Prodigy controllers where I nearly locked up the tow vehicle's brakes and the trailer brakes never reached full power. Of course the typical response to that is that it wasn't properly adjusted, but it WAS properly adjusted for every other brake application, so what made that one different? My take is that the inertia sensing technology has inherent limitations because it's trying to guess your intentions from deceleration, and there are a number of factors that can influence that. I like my IBC because it measures brake application directly rather than attempting to guess with an inertia sensor; I've never had a less than satisfactory application from the IBC unless there was an electrical issue.

Never have tried a Hayes or Max Brake, but if I ever need another aftermarket controller I will be looking at them.

 

Man, like I said by all means keep what you like! I am not impervious to being wrong and I may well find a situation where the ITC is better. Dating myself badly, I thought the old technology that tapped into the master cylinder way before all the electronic magic worked really well and was glad to see that feature come back whether with Ford or Max Brake.

Steve

 

Keep in mind that the Prodigy doesn't just rely on inertia but an input from the brake pedal switch as well to figure out braking action.

 

True, but the brake pedal switch is either on or off. It simply tells the controller "yes I'm braking" or "no I'm not". It does nothing else to tell the controller how hard you are braking.