What type or brand of brake controller do I need to consider?

I have an '03 Excursion with a 6.0L diesel and maybe buying a boat and will want the extra security of a brake controller/trailer brake set-up.

Is Prodigy a good brand... which model... and why?

What other brands or models should I consider and why. This is my first time looking into brake controllers... so I need a little education and insight as well... so all comments are welcome.

Thanks,

 

Tekonsha prodigy...one of the best you can buy. prodigy is the model, Tekonsha is the brand

 

I can tell you what you DON'T want. I have a cheap one(Hoppy) that is stricktly time based as to applying braking force, as opposed to having some type of G-sensing to add more force during a quicker than normal stop. Mine is the Goldilocks of controllers. Usually too much or too little, rarely just right.

 

I second that .... I have one and it's great!!! Well worth the price

 

Get the prodigy. I've had one on my 2003 7.3L and regularly tow a 38' French Fry Trailer or a 12X7 dual axle box. Tried the others, this is the only one that can handle all comers and is almost intuitive in its controls. You'll get what you pay for.

 

I second that.

 

I vote for Prodigy as well.. I have used in 2 tow vehicles including current "X". Great control, easy to set up and boost settings allow some customization..

Bill

 

I run the Prodigy and it works quite well. My last boat trailer had hydrolic actuated brakes which did not require an electric brake controller. It really depends on your trailer setup. My prodigy ran about $75 and I installed it myself (easy install).
v/r
Neil

 

Prodigy. I have towed our 9000 lb travel trailer for >20K miles with it. Works well.

 

Another vote for the Prodigy from Tekonsha. Works Awesome!!!!!

 

Thanks guys...

Guess I need to add the Prodigy to my Christmas list when my wife asks in a couple of months.

Appreciate all the advice, but it seems that the majority really like the Prodigy model...

Thanks and have a great week.

 

Jeff, Don't know how big a boat you are looking at, but keep in mind most boat trailers under about 25 or 26 foot will come with surge brakes, newer are disc surge and work well if in good shape. They have a reverse lockout feature so when your reverse lights come on, they open a elec valve in the trailer and keep you from backing against the brakes. Older are drum surge, not as efficient, esp just after you pull the boat out and still wet. Since the surge/actuator is part of your trailer toungue, it can be tricky to convert these to electric controlled.

You may already know all this plus more, but just thought I'd throw it out there because if you are shopping "off the rack" not many boat trailers are gonna be compatible with the electric controller and you could easily spend more to convert a trailer to electric than installing the controller in your Ex. If you are ordering new/custom you can order whatever you want typically, especially on larger trailers.

BTW I am interested in this because I just ordered one for a TT getting ready to buy. Researched it a year ago, but good to hear everyone still has this at the top of their list. The Prodigy works proportionally in reverse from what I've read, which could be another nice feature if backing something really heavy down a wet boat ramp. Hope it's as easy to install as it sounds!

 

Thanks for the reply and advice.

I am looking at a Mastercraft ski boat or an openbow runabout (both about 20'. I am also looking at a toy hauler for my boy's stuff... and thought I may need a brake controller (whether I use for the boat or not, I have it installed).

I agree, from what I have read, searched and heard, the Prodigy is the best and works going forward and backwards!!!

Will be added to my Christmas list this fall.

 

If I didn't have the intergrated brake controller on my 06' I'd have to go with a Teck-Progidy myself........hey wait?.......didn't Ford go to Teck and get help building their system anyway?? Seems like I read that in a thread either in the 6.0 forum or the trailer forum. I've also heard good things about the BRAKE SMART controller also, but it requires you to tap into your brake lines coming out of your fluid resivor.

But for simple no hassle installation, I'd spend the money on the Teck-Progidy.

 

I've been doing research on this for awhile, and before today it had surprised me that nobody had tried to make an aftermarket brake line pressure sensor based brake controller.

Now... I can see that such a company might be scared off by liability concerns ... but that's really what insurance is for.

Anyways... after just having bought a prodegy (which I'm sure will serve me well), I stumbled upon "brake smart" ... which appears to make such a product. Is anyone using it?