Does anyone know of a TRUE proportional brake controller like the Smart Brake, Max Brake or like the OEM ones? I am NOT talking a inertia based POS like the P3.

I want an ACTUAL brake pressure reading and then transform it to a voltage for the trailer brakes.

Has anyone adapted the factory Ford brake controller that came out in 05+?

 

I don't think there is one and it strikes me the potential liability that might come with attempting to adapt a Ford controller may be substantial.

 

I am even open to a Used Max Brake

 

I have looked for a use Max. Pretty darn scarce. Remember the old days when the controllers teed into the master cylinder as a standard aftermarket component?

 

Does anyone know why Max Brake went out of business?

 

With the integrated controllers in the new trucks the market disappeared for that type of controller. We had a BrakeSmart in our last truck but now have a integrated one and at times I miss our old one.

Denny

 

You know I have really pondered this and have also posted the "why" question on Linkin. It seems there would still be a market among older truck owners and among truck buyers who did not have a tow package. Sometimes small companies do not market worth a flip and, even with a good product, can't compete.

 

We have a couple that come to our rallies and they sold the Brake Max but their sales dropped way off because most of have newer trucks with integrated controllers but we are serious RVers that buy our trucks setup to pull with all the goodies. Another problem with that type of controller is you have to tap into the brake system and some a leary of that.

Denny

 

We used the Kelsey 81739 in the City fleet back in the good old days. Is http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kelsey-Automatic-Electric-Brake-Controller-Kit-81739-81740-2-4-or-6-Brake-System-/381197476546?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58c123e2c2&vxp=mtr anywhere close to what you're looking for? Had to be plumbed into the hydraulic system.

 

That is wild. I had one of those decades ago, but mine had a resistor that could be set mounted under the hood.

 

Remember that too.

RESISTOR 106700

Then next came the 81741B

 

People are too cheap. THAT is why they went out.

When someone can buy a $100 controller they don't even read how good the max brake is for $350

 

You know, I am not sure it is always because folks are holding on to the dollar too tightly. I think sometimes they don't know what they don't know. I run into this constantly with RVs. The manufacturers simply out market the small guys and can cut corners because people don't know the difference. They figure the big company is better when all it it really is is the big company has a bigger advertising budget. I keep saying pretty soon people won't remember how it used to be when there were no super large holding companies.

 

I had heard the hydraulic over electric brake controller setup didn't play well with early ABS systems? I looked for a setup like that for my truck but couldn't find anyone who still made them.

 

If your talking about the Brake Smart and Max Brake controllers they were tied into the master cylinder ahead of the ABS system so it didn't affect the trucks ABS system.

Denny