Brake controller.....which one? Why?

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Oct 28, 2005 | 04:16 PM

#16

jschira

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,788

Likes: 20

From: Mansfield, TX USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado-native

Just hope that you never find yourself in a MUST STOP NOW situation with that kind of load on a trailer without brakes!

I hope that I am never in that situation with either of the trailers that have brakes.

Oct 30, 2005 | 11:58 PM

#17

z 97ford1

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 1,060

Likes: 12

From: arizona

Just bought a new prodigy on ebay for $77 total - to my door

Oct 31, 2005 | 10:20 AM

#18

al_e._gator

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 263

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From: Georgia

That's a great price! I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Nov 7, 2005 | 09:08 PM

#19

Delawhere?

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 327

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From: newark,de

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschira

Sorry guys, but I have a cheap controller in one truck and a Prodigy in the other. I really can't tell the difference (8000-10,000 lbs.).

Only hauling 3500 lbs., I doubt anyone can tell the difference. Maybe at 15,000 lbs., but not 3500.

Save your money.

I have had many brake controllers over 30 years of towing and by far the Prodigy has outperformed the standard controllers. The only drawback to the Prodigy and the Ford brake controllers on the 05's is that they will not work with electric over hydraulic brakes. I have elec/hydr. brakes on my new trailer and had to go back to a Tekonsha Voyager, which works quite well with this setup. The Prodigy is self leveling and once it is set up for your rig you never need to reset it again. It also has a boost feature that starts the braking with a increase of amperage and helps compensate for the weight of the trailer and give. Again a excellent brake controller one you will never have to worry about performing.

Nov 8, 2005 | 07:58 AM

#20

CmprSpecial

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 775

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From: Northern Va

I always get the best when it comes to brakes. If you have a $10 head, get a $10 helmet the saying goes.

Don't skimp when it comes to brakes. It's not the normal driving that will show the advantage of a Prodigy controller. The many of the cheaper controllers are of the "time delay" type. In a panic situation, they still work off the normal time delay and may cause the rear of the truck to come around (jack knife). The Prodigy (and other high end units), adjust to the amount of force needed to stop. Others also mentioned that someday you may need to tow a larger trailer, you will want the added capability of the Prodigy then...

You spent $30k + on your truck, what’s $100 for the peace of mind knowing in a panic situation you will be able to stop.

Nov 8, 2005 | 08:26 AM

#21

jschira

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,788

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From: Mansfield, TX USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by CmprSpecial

I always get the best when it comes to brakes. If you have a $10 head, get a $10 helmet the saying goes.

I see this all the time. The way to solve any problem seems to be to throw money at it, at least, in some people's minds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CmprSpecial

You spent $30k + on your truck, what’s $100 for the peace of mind knowing in a panic situation you will be able to stop.

The fallacy of your argument is that no one knows that for sure, and there are no guarantees, whether you are using a $10 controller of a $10,000 controller.

BTW - The only near "panic" stop that I ever had to make was with my "cheap" Drawtight Activator. It worked fine. I got stopped in plenty of time. Trailer stayed straight and true.

Anyway, this discussion is rather moot. He already bought the Prodigy.

Nov 8, 2005 | 08:38 AM

#22

CmprSpecial

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 775

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From: Northern Va

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschira

I see this all the time. The way to solve any problem seems to be to throw money at it, at least, in some people's minds.

The fallacy of your argument is that no one knows that for sure, and there are no guarantees, whether you are using a $10 controller of a $10,000 controller.

BTW - The only near "panic" stop that I ever had to make was with my "cheap" Drawtight Activator. It worked fine. I got stopped in plenty of time. Trailer stayed straight and true.

Anyway, this discussion is rather moot. He already bought the Prodigy.

Read more about your precious activitor here http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/f...TID/338051.cfm. See nukamper's post about 7 down from the top.

If your happy with your $10 helmet, I mean "Activator", then great, keep it, just don't admonish others on the board that suggest the safest and best known product on the market. I have had cheap controllers and would never go back.

Nov 8, 2005 | 09:14 AM

#23

jschira

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,788

Likes: 20

From: Mansfield, TX USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by CmprSpecial

If your happy with your $10 helmet, I mean "Activator", then great, keep it, just don't admonish others on the board that suggest the safest and best known product on the market. I have had cheap controllers and would never go back.

I did not admonish anyone. The original poster was asking which one to buy. I simply stated that I have both and do not notice a difference and suggested that he save his money.

Please re-read my comment:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschira

Buying an expensive controller for a 3500 lbs. trailer just seeems like a waste of money to me, and I thought that he needed a different opinion. Experts on these boards tend to always recommend "the best" whether people need it or not.

With respect to your comment:

Quote:

Originally Posted by CmprSpecial

Read more about your precious activitor here http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/f...TID/338051.cfm. See nukamper's post about 7 down from the top.

I've had 2 different Activators now, they seem to work pretty good. Maybe not the best, but pretty good. I've alway seem to be able to stop without any problems. For the occasional light tower, I just don't see the need to spend $100+ for a controller when a $50 will work well enough.

As I stated before, people on this board love to tell everyone to "Buy the Best". "Spend, Spend, Spend". Well, that isn't always necessary and I am not afraid to say so.

Last edited by jschira; Nov 8, 2005 at 09:26 AM.