I have a camper coming in my near future and was wondering what you suggest for a brake controller?

Most people here will probably recommend the Prodigy or Jordan.
I'm sure you can't go wrong with them - alot of people have them w/o
complaints but they were well over $100 when I priced them.



For the limited amount of towing I do I went with a $65 controller and
have been very happy with it. I'd stay away from the $40
specials you can get at alot of auto parts stores as I have heard alot
of complaints about them.



Things to consider: Maximum trailer axles it will control, does
it have a self leveler, how easy is the gain adjusted and can you
adjust how aggressive the trailer brakes (I THINK thats called a static
adjustment)



Just my .02


Edited by: skoryaro2

I pull a 33' 5er myself. The controller I'm using now is a POS. It came with the TT I previously owned. I have spent many hours researching and have found the 3 most popular models, Prodigy, Jordan and Brakesmart.


Prodigy is an inertial activated system and is much better than any of the standard brake controllers. The Jordan has a cable that connects to the TV brake pedal and uses the brake pedal movement to determine the amount of current to send to the trailer brakes. The third system is BrakeSmart. BrakeSmart actually puts a "T" in the hydraulic brake line and senses hydraulic pressure to determine the amount of trailer brakes to apply.


After all of my research, I have ordered the BrakeSmart. The only disadvantage of the BrakeSmart unit is the price. It is around $350. However, I looked at it this way, I have over $50k tied up in TV and 5er and my family will be in the vehicle. Hard to put a price on that!


Do some research and good luck with whatever product you purchase.


MaxRock

Currently running a Prodigy; very good compared to some others out there. Have had an occasional braking glitch every once in a while but I tow a lot each year.


Have looked at a Jordan; looks very good.


I believe there will be a BrakeSmart in my future for next spring's start to towing season. Expensive but probably worth it for piece of mind with 50k truck and 30k+ trailer attached. Trying to find someone close to me who has one installed to try before purchasing one though.

I put a prodigy in my new truck, had a $50 cheapie in my previous truck. I think the importance of the quality of the brake box depends a lot on how close you are to the max towing capacity of the truck.


If you are pulling 4,000lbs with a 2500HD, then either would be fine.


If you are towing 14,000lbs with a 2500HD then you will notice the difference.


Another thing is whether your load varies a lot. I had a trailer that weighted 2000lbs, and I would put 10,000lbs on it, and weights in between. You always have to keep adjusting the brakes to match the load with the cheap box. You still have to do a little adjusting with the prodigy, but only once.

I currently run the Prodigy. No problems. That being said I will also update to the Brakesmart unit either this season or next.

I have a BrakeSmart on order, unfortunately they are on backorder right now. I'm not so sure the effectiveness of the controller has anything to do with how close you are to the limit of the TV. I believe what you are witnessing is the TV making up for the lack of trailer brakes, when you move closer to the max GCVWR, the TV cannot take up the slack.


My biggest grip with my POS controller is I have to set it for hi-way driving, and if I forget to readjust in the CG, I darn near get whiplash when I try to stop. I now the Prodigy or Jordan can eliminate that problem, but if I'm going to throw down some cash for a new controller, I am hard pressed not to throw down a little more and get the BrakeSmart model.


MaxRock

not to steal your thread but when you guy's get done with your prodigy give me a PM because I would like to have one.

Yeah , i need one too !!$

I love my Prodigy. Having said that it is the only brake controller I've ever owned. The Brakesmart sounds very good, though. When I was looking around, either it wasn't available or I just didn't find it. The Prodigy was the best rated that I could find. No one seemed to have any complaints with it. I don't have any complaints either. It is very versatile and easy to use. I hadn't towed before I got my setup, and I gained confidence fairly quickly with the Prodigy. Never once did I feel like it wasn't adequate. When we were driving across country carrying a little over 21k total, I had to make a quasi-panic stop, and I was amazed how well the Prodigy responded. Yes, it took longer to stop than with just the truck, but I was impressed with how short I could stop that much weight from 60 MPH.


Dennis

Oh, yeah, what's $350.00 when you spend a bunch of money on your rigs. MaxRock has the right idea. When it comes to safety in braking, it doesn't matter the cost.


Dennis

I'm not so sure the effectiveness of the controller has anything to do with how close you are to the limit of the TV. I believe what you are witnessing is the TV making up for the lack of trailer brakes, when you move closer to the max GCVWR, the TV cannot take up the slack.











TV?

TV = Tow Vehicle


Don't get me wrong, I like the Prodigy and is a big step up over my old Teconsha Voyager. My only complaint about the Prodigy is if you are constantly switching between trailers, it is very finicky about shorts and power surges from the power supply when you hook up. I had one short out when a magnet broke in the brake drum and it blew up the Prodigy. I carry my old Voyager with me at all times as a back up. Should have bought the Brakesmart then, but didn't realize it was available until I had the second Prodigy. As said before, I will probably have a Brakesmart by next spring.Edited by: sprintmod1

Tow Vehicle. In other words, your truck.

Sorry about the acronym usage, http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif I post a lot on RV (recreational vehicle) web sites and TV & TT (travel trailer) are common acronyms.


MaxRock

Like the Prodigy, but......... Had a stop quick scenario and applied
manual lever for brakes. Tires on trailer didn't lock up. I
was disapointed in that. Power setting was on three and had the
juice set at 6.8 amps. Instructions said to set at 6 amps.

I went for the Brakesmart. I am very satisfied. I tow heavy in urban
hilly terrain. Almost a no brainer. It just works. Prodigy is my second
choice.

I bought one on Ebay used and when I went online to get a manual it had a recall and they sent me a brand new one!!! Gotta like that. It works like a charm.

Me 3, If anybody comes up with a spare Prodigy give me a PM( after the 2 ahead of me). http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif

Just a little something to think about;


Any aftermarket brake system that ties into the original hydraulic brake system will change the volume of fluid in the system, possibly eliminating the ABS braking system. May also invalidate warranty as well. BCM Module may cause "Check Brake System" light to illuminate because more fluid has to move to provide equivalent braking force, possible spongy brake pedal feeling if not done properly.


Here in Canada, any aftermarket braking system that ties into the original hydraulic braking system is illegal. Has been since the early 1980's.


Just my $.02 worth. I'll stick to my prodigy!


Photo

Photo,



Dated and incorrect information. The volume can change without effect.
Any additional displacement, however, can cause problems. The new
controllers use a solid state pressure sensor that does not increase
the displacement of the hydraulic system.



They are not illegal in Canada as long as they meet the car/truck manufacturers recommendations.

Photo,


BrakeSmart has an article on their website about the hydraulic fuid displacement and ABS breaks. Also research RV websites, there are a lot of BrakeSmart users. Read their posts about actual useage.


The great thing about this country is everyone has a choice. If you do not feel comfortable with tapping into the brake lines, then the Jordan or Prodigy will work just fine.


Good luck with whatever controller you choose, and remember safety is the most important item!


MaxRock

I tow a 9,000 lb Airstream, a 14,000 lb loaded lowboy, and a 23,000 lb
loaded flatbed, all with electric brakes controlled by the
Prodigy. To date, with the system in three different trucks, I
have had no problems, worries or concerns. I have used many
different sytems in many years driving, and will always put a prodigy
in any new vehicle I get in the future. Any sytem that taps into
any other system is too complicated for a simple guy like me. :)



Mylash