Okay having searched this forum I decided a Prodigy was for me. Thanks to all who posted pics and gave advice in other posts about this brake controller. One question though --- I keep coming across info that leads me to believe I need to add or might need to add a relay or fuse under the hood to make my trailer brakes work . How do I know if I need this and if I do; where does it go. I haven't installed the Prodigy yet but I did plug my trailer into my Ex and all the trailer lights worked properly. Thanks in advance for any help which will make me safe on the road --- just remember someday I may be right behind you so this help benefits you to.

 

There is a fusebox under the hood on the left side. I don't know which one it is but check your manual. That is to give power to the controller.

 

See my gallery for the pic of where to put your harness from the controller

 

western star,

I have a 2005 Ex that did not come with the "tow" package and I did NOT have to do ANYTHING but plug my Prodigy into the connector under the dash.

I am not aware of any relay or fuse that is needed but not knowing what year you have...perhaps some of the early models needed something so I'm not going to say absolutely not...but I haven't heard of it...

On the Prodigy...you are making the RIGHT choice!...it is affordable and very easy to install and provides very smooth stops. It has an accelerometer in the Prodigy and senses the "rate of deceleration" of your Ex and applies a "proportional" amount of voltage to match the TT to the TV "rate of deceleration"...each and every braking event is DIFFERENT and the Prodigy performs the task very smoothly and effectively. Plus as long as you mount it between the 0 to 70 degree angle...it will adjust automatically for changes in towing angles...

Another feature I used last year when towing in the Black Hills, Big Horns and Rockies is the BOOST feature. I "normally" run boost 1 since my TT weighs slightly more then the Ex...BUT when towing in the mountains I mentioned above on the DOWNSIDE...the ADDED boost of 2 or 3 allows MORE lead braking on the TT to help reduce some of the "push" on the steep down slope...this helped to reduce any added braking load on the Ex brakes...I found it to be very effective as just a short "tap" on the Ex brakes and the TT brakes applied much harder initially and tugged the Ex slighty...saving the Ex brakes from heating...

The "prefered" side to mount any brake controller is on the right hand side of the driver...this helps to avoid any knee knocking on entry and most of the population is right handed so the right side is more natural in the event "manual" TT braking is needed via the manual lever on the Prodigy...plus for me the right side in the center of the dash is more visible...but that is just personal preference...

joe.

 

Thanks AKLIM. Your pic is very popular as I came across it repeatedly when researching controllers. Your pic actually made up my mind to be pro Prodigy even though it cost alot; I love plug and play items.

 

Thanks for the advice Joe. Its nice to hear how well the Prodigy works. I have the entry level Tekonsha in my F-100 but I find it very finicky about getting the setting just right. When I hook to our TT I just want to go have fun; not be friggin' with settings all the time.

By the way; I have a 2001 Ex XLT 4X4 and our TT is a 2005 KZ Coyote 25 C hybred which only weighs 5000lbs loaded.

 

IIRC, I did it for S_Harvey.

The Prodigy is cheap when you consider that driving is optional. Stopping in time is NOT

 

Yes you did! And I uploaded it to my Photobucket account and have splattered it anywhere someone asks where the plug in harness is located.

I of course always give you the credit bro!

Stewart

 

What the heck, one more time aint gonna hurt!


Photo courtesy of Aklim

That hand will be famous before ya know it!

Stewart