Brake Controller
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Brake Controller
First do I need one? My father passed away last year and has a 23' Terry Trailer at his place up in northern CA, about 800 miles from where I live in SoCal. I want to bring it down but have a good 175 miles of mountain roads. I see that i have two connections, 1@4points? and 1@6 with another in the center so a 7 point connection? It says on the cap one is for the electric brake which I think I will need. Will this suffice or do I need a controller? If so which do you guys recommend? I am not sure as to what the connection on the trailer is but I assume something "standard". It is in a small town of less than 1500 people so not really able to do much there.
Thanks for the advice since I see alot of you haul heavy loads and such.
By the way 2005 2wd Screw with a 3.73 and tow package.
Thanks for the advice since I see alot of you haul heavy loads and such.
By the way 2005 2wd Screw with a 3.73 and tow package.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
The quick answer is YES you need a brake controller. I use and swear by the Prodigy by Tekonsha. Tekonsha As you have the tow package the wiring is in place up front for you to connect the controller using the proper adapter. Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Ford Vehicles 3035-P : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com My gallery "My Wings" shows the Prodigy (center of pic) mounted just to the lower right of my steering wheel of my van. 
You should visit here and pick up some great knowledge from the school of hard knocks; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum68/
You should visit here and pick up some great knowledge from the school of hard knocks; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum68/
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Llano and Huntsville, TX
YES.. you will need a brake controller. now if you wont be towing alot at all just get a cheaper controller that doesn't have all the features of a Prodigy. since it will have more features than you'll ever use if you are only towing a limited amount of time.
another thing to add, does the trailer have the hitch already there (or what are you going to use to haul it)? cause you will most likely need a 2 5/16 ball and usually on travel trailers a weight distribution hitch is use for saftey and handling issues.
another thing to add, does the trailer have the hitch already there (or what are you going to use to haul it)? cause you will most likely need a 2 5/16 ball and usually on travel trailers a weight distribution hitch is use for saftey and handling issues.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Florida Parishes, LA
Yes you will need a controller. I would not even think about it in the mountains without it. I would also get a WD hitch. There may be one with the trailer already, but it not look into it. I bought my Prodigy and WD hitch from PPL motorhomes in Houston. Both were at a very good price. Look at there prices online (they run good sales) and then check locally.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Thanks for the help. I will look into getting one before i attempt to bring it down. I have no idea about what ball size it is set up for. That should not be a problem. I will bring the one's I have and buy one there if I currently do not have one. Not sure as to what a wd (weight distribution) hitch is at this time. My truck is set up with however they come with a tow package and the trailer is......??
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
Travel trailers have a 2-5/16" coupling. That is the industry standard.
Don't skimp on your controller as you will want the capabilities down the road.(No pun intended) You will end up buying a better controller sooner or later. Put the money into the better unit from the start. The lesser controllers are the full on/ full off type whereas the Prodigy has proportional braking. Meaning that it senses the deceleration and applies the amount of power needed to stop the trailer without locking up. Full on units apply the same amount of current no matter what the speed which can result in wheel lockup at lower speeds.
Go here; http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/
Any questions about towing are welcomed and the wisdom there is based on literally hundreds of years of combined experience. Register for free and join a forum group as good as FTW.
Don't skimp on your controller as you will want the capabilities down the road.(No pun intended) You will end up buying a better controller sooner or later. Put the money into the better unit from the start. The lesser controllers are the full on/ full off type whereas the Prodigy has proportional braking. Meaning that it senses the deceleration and applies the amount of power needed to stop the trailer without locking up. Full on units apply the same amount of current no matter what the speed which can result in wheel lockup at lower speeds.
Go here; http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/
Any questions about towing are welcomed and the wisdom there is based on literally hundreds of years of combined experience. Register for free and join a forum group as good as FTW.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Thanks again for all of the help. I plan to start looking for a controller online and will not get the on/off ones.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 80
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From: Oak Hills, Ca
I just bought and installed a prodigy on my F250. Very happy with it, literally plug-n-play.
I bought mine from Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels (FTE sponsor)
It came with the Ford specific harness, and free 2 day shipping.
With coupon code, it came to $110.
Check out the following thread from the towing forum. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ler-types.html
I bought mine from Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels (FTE sponsor)
It came with the Ford specific harness, and free 2 day shipping.
With coupon code, it came to $110.
Check out the following thread from the towing forum. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ler-types.html
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