Brake Controller for Ranger
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
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Brake Controller for Ranger
Hi Everyone,
I have a 2004 Ranger with the 4.0l. This truck can get more weight moving than it can stop. I am lucky enough that my 16 foot 2 axle trailer has brakes on both axles. Can someone recommend the best controller for my setup. I want to shy away from the timed controllers, as they do not allow hard braking in emergencies. I was thinking more along proportional or inertia controllers. Any help is appreciated.
Red
I have a 2004 Ranger with the 4.0l. This truck can get more weight moving than it can stop. I am lucky enough that my 16 foot 2 axle trailer has brakes on both axles. Can someone recommend the best controller for my setup. I want to shy away from the timed controllers, as they do not allow hard braking in emergencies. I was thinking more along proportional or inertia controllers. Any help is appreciated.
Red
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
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I know why it won't stop. But the truck is rated to hook nearly 5000 pounds to it according to the owner's manual. I've grown up farming, and have two 1-ton dually trucks, but there are odd times when the trailer needs moving, or i just need to haul 300 pounds of 15'pipe, and there's no reason to drive a 4 mpg gas burner, when my ranger can pull a 1200 lb. trailer with 300 lbs. of steel tubing at 15 mpg. I'm not hauling cars or anything. I just want something to back up the trucks brakes coming down hill, and on the back roads.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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You're towing a 16' 2 axle trailer with a RANGER and wondering why it won't stop?
On the other hand, a would say to do a search on the net for brake controllers and see what you come up with, one that comes to mind is tonkasha
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
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I've looked at the Prodigy. I have the Ford receiver hitch, plus the seven pin wiring harness that i added. And i had a brake controller in my previous ranger, and it could stop this trailer really really well. It's just that this truck lacks a little bit by itself.
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From: Republic of TEXAS
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Simpsonville, KY
I've been told by professional trailer people not to waste the money on the P3 unless you have electric over hydrolic brakes. Its just too confusing and too difficult to adjust safetly while driving.
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From: Republic of TEXAS
really??? my 15 yr old cousin did it while we were towing my travel trailer down I-10 at about 60 mph.
but - you know that generation.... they can do anything if it looks like a game or pc.
but - you know that generation.... they can do anything if it looks like a game or pc.
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From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
Originally Posted by grafekie
Prodigy is probably the best you can get for a reasonable cost these days. Its not perfect, but it works well for me.
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Red,
Before the 08 250SD here had a 2006 Ranger 4L with 4.10 auto tranny. Hauled the 2.7k track car on a 1.3k Featherlite trailer. FULLY agree the Ranger does not have the brakes and so used the Prodigy with excellent results.
Just remember the Ranger is relatively lightweight and smallish so depending on what you are hauling.... Still, the Ranger GREATLY impressed me and still brings me smiles thinking of it and the AWESOME gas milage i got when towing.
Another tip is that the rear end of the Ranger really dipped down when 10-15% tongue weight, so helper springs for the rear might be in your future. Never used any myself.
Before the 08 250SD here had a 2006 Ranger 4L with 4.10 auto tranny. Hauled the 2.7k track car on a 1.3k Featherlite trailer. FULLY agree the Ranger does not have the brakes and so used the Prodigy with excellent results.
Just remember the Ranger is relatively lightweight and smallish so depending on what you are hauling.... Still, the Ranger GREATLY impressed me and still brings me smiles thinking of it and the AWESOME gas milage i got when towing.
Another tip is that the rear end of the Ranger really dipped down when 10-15% tongue weight, so helper springs for the rear might be in your future. Never used any myself.