Best brake controller
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Best brake controller
Ok, I have been using a cheaper $60 trailer brake controller, for years on my GMC Yukon, now I have the excursion and will be towing heavier loads, so, I see the prodigy a lot, but it, or keep what I have?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
You will see a mojor difference with the top of the line Tekonsha controllers like the Prodigy and Prodigy P3.
They are proportional controllers, they have a accellerometer inside that determines the amount of braking forces on the truck and apply a proportional amount to the trailer.
The cheaper timed units like your old one apply the brakes to the full amount set by the gain control a certain time after you press the brake pedal. This delay time is usually adjustable.
With the Prodigy and other programmables, you tellit a pre-set start amount, then set the maximum gain. The unit applies brakes as needed. A really nice feature is that during backing up, the amount of brake applied is very small, and backing up is easy.
Backing up with some of the timed units can sometimes be a issue as you tap the pedal and the brake comes full on. I remember those days of having to unplug the controller to back up.
They are proportional controllers, they have a accellerometer inside that determines the amount of braking forces on the truck and apply a proportional amount to the trailer.
The cheaper timed units like your old one apply the brakes to the full amount set by the gain control a certain time after you press the brake pedal. This delay time is usually adjustable.
With the Prodigy and other programmables, you tellit a pre-set start amount, then set the maximum gain. The unit applies brakes as needed. A really nice feature is that during backing up, the amount of brake applied is very small, and backing up is easy.
Backing up with some of the timed units can sometimes be a issue as you tap the pedal and the brake comes full on. I remember those days of having to unplug the controller to back up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 1
From: Southwest VA
I would go with what housedad said if you have the $$.........it would definately be the best.....I've got a Reece Pod in mine that works ok for my trailers...... I like it ok, but like he said, you do have to adjust the gain to "tune" it each time...also have to adjust it to road conditions and trailer load. I don't mind it for the money though....it's easy enough.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 2
From: Summit, MS
You will see a mojor difference with the top of the line Tekonsha controllers like the Prodigy and Prodigy P3.
They are proportional controllers, they have a accellerometer inside that determines the amount of braking forces on the truck and apply a proportional amount to the trailer.
The cheaper timed units like your old one apply the brakes to the full amount set by the gain control a certain time after you press the brake pedal. This delay time is usually adjustable.
With the Prodigy and other programmables, you tellit a pre-set start amount, then set the maximum gain. The unit applies brakes as needed. A really nice feature is that during backing up, the amount of brake applied is very small, and backing up is easy.
Backing up with some of the timed units can sometimes be a issue as you tap the pedal and the brake comes full on. I remember those days of having to unplug the controller to back up.
They are proportional controllers, they have a accellerometer inside that determines the amount of braking forces on the truck and apply a proportional amount to the trailer.
The cheaper timed units like your old one apply the brakes to the full amount set by the gain control a certain time after you press the brake pedal. This delay time is usually adjustable.
With the Prodigy and other programmables, you tellit a pre-set start amount, then set the maximum gain. The unit applies brakes as needed. A really nice feature is that during backing up, the amount of brake applied is very small, and backing up is easy.
Backing up with some of the timed units can sometimes be a issue as you tap the pedal and the brake comes full on. I remember those days of having to unplug the controller to back up.
I have 2 now and the second one I just bought on ebay for $50 INCLUDING shipping. It looks nicer than the first one I have. These are the older units and not the new, P3.
See:?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1
What I like about the proportional controller is that you get full braking power from your trailer but it doesn't feel like your trailer is dragging you to a stop. It stops with the same force as your vehicle does so you get nice controlled stops no matter the brake pedal pressure level, soft or panic stop.
The Prodigy is nice with its quick ramp-up button on the front. Full load of firewood, click, click, click, set it to level 3. Deliver the firewood and have empty trailer, click, set it back to level 0 or 1. Of course you can fine tune it from there with the adjustment wheel.
With a timed unit, you can either set it low enough so that it doesn't pull you harder than you are braking but won't provide enough power to your trailer brakes in a panic stop or you can set it to a higher level and then you always have the trailer braking harder than the vehicle.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Prodigy is fine and all the controllers get the job done. Models with accelerometers just get the job done better. I use a Hayes G2, which is their top of the line. I believe it is the Maxbrake that is drawing raves from the RV set. Fairly new and I am thinking about trying one. You might want to take a look at that one also.
Steve
Steve
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: LI, NY
Like you, I had a cheepo controller, which was fine for 1-2K loads. But marginal when the load increased. I love my Valley Odyssey II brake controller! The LED readout is clear and bright, the controls are easy to remember & use.
It has 4 levels of pre-set. I set #1 for the empty trailer and #4 for loaded. No more lockups braking an empty trailer! or trying to re-find the right position on a dial.
It has 4 levels of pre-set. I set #1 for the empty trailer and #4 for loaded. No more lockups braking an empty trailer! or trying to re-find the right position on a dial.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
I've got a Prodigy on one truck and a Prodigy P3 on the other and love them both. The P3 has a graphic LCD interface on it, otherwise the braking function and control is the same. I'd recommend either one without reservation.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
anyone using or have experience with the Hensley TruControl brake controller???
That Maxbrake looks like a good idea but you are gonna have to tap into the brake line and then bleed the braking system to run the device
That Maxbrake looks like a good idea but you are gonna have to tap into the brake line and then bleed the braking system to run the device
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
The new one performs just like the original Prodigy. The main difference is the LCD screen and some additional monitoring functions.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
Steve
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Did you by chance see the clip on their site. I didn't see em mention a bleed. I don't know about that. Seems to me if you open the line, you gotta bleed it, although I don't think that would stop me. What might is I am a nut for customer service. I emailed them this morning and still haven't heard a thing back. Since I also write about this stuff, I also told him I wanted to include their controller in a feature late in the year. Hopefully whoever handles marketing does not reflect the entire company!
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
On a side note the Hensley's TruControl makes an argument that I don't buy into they claim that the vehicles hydraulic brake system is less effective at slow speed that highway speed.... sorry but hydraulic line pressure is the same at any speed for any given pedal position.. esp with Hydroboost brake systems like the Ex.... the other claim is that Electric trailer brakes are less effective at highway speed than slow speed.... I might be willing to but that as you have friction, heat and electrical current flow issues with the time it takes for the friction to engage the pad assembly in the electric drum brakes I could see a minor initial reduction in braking force there... seems like overzealous marketing folks working there too... maybe you could get them to send ya one of those for review too...
I like the idea of the boost function on the Prodigy though with the trailers I end up pullling. they also got a new one out called "Primus IQ" that seems similar to the Prodigy
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
the controller I have now has a delay that is annoying before the trailer brakes kick in so I am up to trying something better myself...
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smsperformance
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jun 19, 2010 08:52 PM
