Gene,
I'm not trying to start any fights but really, is there anything incorrect in my post besides my use of the word "pendulum? After all I did follow it with the words "or similar device". I think that functionwise "similar device" would broadly cover the solid state accelerometer. The real point I was trying to make was that the prodigy uses an inertial sensor to infer braking force versus direct measurement of pressure applied to the braking system as used in Tow Command. I think that my post achieved that goal. I also stated that the Prodigy is a very good controller. I just don't believe that it uses the best technology available. Tekonsha obviously agrees otherwise they wouldn't have changed to direct sensing technology when designing the Tow Command system for Ford. My only reason for posting in this thread at all is that I believe people make better decisions when they have access to factual information. The fact is that the closest thing to Tow Command technology that is available in the aftermarket (not including the factory retrofit kit) is BrakeSmart.

 

Well then maybe you should do a poll on RV.net and here in the towing forum and see what the majority of people that tow use for a brake control. I think you will be surprised to find our the results. The Prodigy is the best selling and smoothest reacting ELECTRIC brake control on the market. Dollar for dollar and feature for feature you can't get any better. The operation is so smooth that you can't even tell when the trailer brakes apply. As for the fluid pressure increase on the brake smart.... You have to apply the brake pedal harder in your truck when not towing to get greater braking pressure don't you? If you apply more pedal in a panic situation then even an old fashioned pendulum controller would lock up the trailer due to design. The prodigy does not operate this way. It starts the minute you apply the brakes with minimal voltage going to the trailer. The more pressure you apply to the brake pedal the more voltage goes to the trailer. If you have a panic situation you can get full voltage just by checking up on the brake pedal. If you never towed with a Prodigy before, I suggest that you check it out. They are really quite nice. I have towed with a hydraulic controller before and it wasn't half as smooth as this and did not work well with ABS. The Prodigy is the best $100 ever spent hands down!

 

I am very familiar with RV.net. Also, I am very aware that prodigy is the best selling controller on the market. Many people have never heard of the Jordan 2020 and many of those who have heard of BrakeSmart couldn't justify the purchase price compared to a Prodigy. Couple that with everyone who has a prodigy recommending it to everyone else there is no doubt that Prodigy is the most common. I believe you will also find that I have stated on numerous occasions that the Prodigy is in fact the best balance of ease of installation/use and value for money. The question that was raised in this thread was how to get Tow Command into a truck that didn't come with it from the factory. Since Tow Command can be $1000 to retrofit I presented BrakeSmart as the only aftermarket system that uses the same technology as Tow Command. Which is a factual statement. If you want to address the question of which controller is the "BEST" you will find a quote below from drfife an RV.net regular who has tested every controller on his list except the Trucontrol. I believe the results of many miles of on the road testing and direct comparison should carry alot of weight when determining which controller is best. I am sorry if I have offended the members of the high church of Prodigy but if I'm towing 10k I want the best not the most popular. Maybe the next time I'm visiting my family home in NC we can get together and compare each other's controllers in person.

Quote from drfife on RV.net
Posted: 09/01/06 03:06pm Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

"#1) BrakeSmart: Uses hydraulic sensor installed in the brake line near the master cylinder. BrakeSmart is the smoothest and most precise controller on the market, and one of the most expensive. $435

#2) TruControl: Uses an advanced accelerometer with a sophisticated software. Very easy installation, plug and play. Available late September 2006. I've not tried it, but I hear it should perform very well. $397

#3) Jordan Ultima 2020: Utilizes a cable attached to the arm of the brake pedal to provide extremely smooth braking. The Jordan is the best value for performance and price. $120

#4) Sens-a-Brake: Uses a pressure sensitive pad attached to the face of the brake pedal to send a proportional signal to their EVO controller. Very smooth. Product of New Zealand. Cost approximately $250

#5) Prodigy (and clones): Accelerometer based controller. Very popular. Easy to install. Not as smooth as the previous controller, but acceptable. $100

Do not purchase or install a time based or pendulum type controller. Pick one of the five brake controllers I've listed and enjoy safe, smooth barking."

 

Hey I don't know what you guys do down south but around here thats not legal.

 

I have (2) F250 Superduty trucks. One has the OEM brake controller and the other doesn't. They both have the wiring harness that plugs in to the controller. I took the controller out of one and installed it in the other. Seems to work, however I gate a "TBC Fault" light on the message board of both trucks. Can anyone help me with the next steps to complete the install?

 

There are two more steps.

One, you need a brake master cylinder that has a pressure switch that the TBC reads.
Two, there is a computer module that needs to have a dealer reflash so that it knows that the truck has a TBC. I can't remember the name of this module, but it is not the PCM. Amd it must be a 2005 or newer. The older trucks can't be made to recognize the TBC.

 

See post #2, it tells you all that you need to install the TBC in a 2005-2007 SD.

Hope this helps