Electric brake controllers...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Electric brake controllers...
anyone know much about them?? i bought a POD, made by teckonsha today, about 60.00. i thought its cheap, but the guy who sells trailers told me he's been using one for 2 years pulling every day and he swears by them. any thoughts??
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Ive actually been doing TONS of research into them the last little bit, for one for my dump truck.
Ive never heard of a pod though, is it a model of tekonsha, or is it distributed by them? (there is a difference) If its built by tekonsha then its gonna be good quality.
I ended up buying a hopkins (made in USA princess auto had a surplus sale on them) due to the ease of installation, compatibility for what I need, the simplicity of it (no digital, works great with air systems) and its rated for tri axle (6 brakes) trailers.
It was also pretty cheap, 49 bucks on sale.
Ask me in a year about the quality haha. As we all know, USUALLY the cheaper they are, the less quality they are (not to say they are cheap, but not as good as a higher priced one)
Ive never heard of a pod though, is it a model of tekonsha, or is it distributed by them? (there is a difference) If its built by tekonsha then its gonna be good quality.
I ended up buying a hopkins (made in USA princess auto had a surplus sale on them) due to the ease of installation, compatibility for what I need, the simplicity of it (no digital, works great with air systems) and its rated for tri axle (6 brakes) trailers.
It was also pretty cheap, 49 bucks on sale.
Ask me in a year about the quality haha. As we all know, USUALLY the cheaper they are, the less quality they are (not to say they are cheap, but not as good as a higher priced one)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
yeah its made by teckonsha. i just looked it up on their website. it seems to be perhaps their most basic one. thats fine for my needs. first time i've used one will be this weekend. there's an ATV derby in rockford, north of here about 2 hours, and a pile of us are going so i'm getting a 22' tandem axle trailer to haul all the bikes. should be the most i've ever towed, probably be around 6k with the trailer, bikes, gear, and guys. might be time to try out the towing tune from SCT...
here's a link. http://www.tekonsha.com/product/deta...80500&cat=1405
here's a link. http://www.tekonsha.com/product/deta...80500&cat=1405
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Ya know man that looks like a nice little basic one. Looks very similiar to the one i bought too, only my adjustment is on the side instead of the front.
They are very easy to use and adjust, just adjust it so you can feel it working, but not so its skidding your tires (which you probably already know!)
Also very easy to hook up. Your truck will have a plug, but even if ya dont have a plug, white wire is ground, black is power, blue goes to electric brakes, and red goes to the brake switch.
One thing I had to make sure was that my controller was for a triple axle, which it looks like the controller you bought wouldnt work for that.
Not many people I know need one in a half ton though, maybe a dually pulling a 5th wheel tri axle trailer.
They are very easy to use and adjust, just adjust it so you can feel it working, but not so its skidding your tires (which you probably already know!)
Also very easy to hook up. Your truck will have a plug, but even if ya dont have a plug, white wire is ground, black is power, blue goes to electric brakes, and red goes to the brake switch.
One thing I had to make sure was that my controller was for a triple axle, which it looks like the controller you bought wouldnt work for that.
Not many people I know need one in a half ton though, maybe a dually pulling a 5th wheel tri axle trailer.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
i've been with people using them before, and my FIL will be with me so figuring it out shouldn't be a problem. the truck is all pre wired, i got the tow package with it, so all i have to do is wire the connector harness to the controller.
you're right, its just for tandem axles, which is plenty for me. i won't be pulling anything that requires a tri-axle!!! Matt sells one for tri-axles, priced at 90.00...
you're right, its just for tandem axles, which is plenty for me. i won't be pulling anything that requires a tri-axle!!! Matt sells one for tri-axles, priced at 90.00...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
i've often found flamans to be somewhat overpriced on some stuff. never checked on anything like this though.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Oh you bet man, most of the time they are way overpriced. I actually have an account through them for septic tanks and stuff, so I get a bit of a discount (if that what ya wanna call it haha) on stuff, but this controller i was mentioning was just a sale priced one.
Actually bought a 3 axle compatible trailer break away kit from them too for 50 bucks, with a built in trickle charger. Was on sale too.
Actually bought a 3 axle compatible trailer break away kit from them too for 50 bucks, with a built in trickle charger. Was on sale too.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Langham, SK
The one I put in my truck is the same brand as yours Sherm, but I'm not sure of the model. It was more money around $100 I think, but it had the harness on it that pluged right into the plug on my truck. It was a piece of cake to install.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,800
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From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
I may be needing one of these in the near future, the wife spied a trailer she just loves. She is going to look at it again and is going to take some pictures, it is a 30' Dutchman, a 92 if I remember correctly.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Fredericton N B Canada
Sherm - I will have to check as it has been a few years now and the truck is still in storage. I like the way the control works when adjusting the amount of braking - very happy with it. If I can recall it is the controller that was just below the prodigy at the time. I was going to go with the prodigy and the RV dealer suggested the one I have as they said it was the one they recommended and had good results with. I will check as I will be at the shop on the weekend.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
I have a reese in my pickup truck right now, and I think im gonna swap it out yet. It can only handle tandem axles, and I like to have the three axle compatibilty.