Anyone one here now using one of these brake controllers, if so are you happy with it, also can you adjust them so the trailer brakes come on a little ahead of the tow vehicle?.

IT is impossible for the trailer brakes to anticipate your braking and come on before the vehicle brakes. If you were to get a cheaper brake control that isn't inertia or pedal pressure activated you could have them come on before by pressing the brakes just lightly enough to turn on the brake lights before actually braking.

I just installed my BrakeSmart controller 2 weeks ago. My family went on a 600 mile trip in the Ozarks over Thanksgiving week. This controller is incredible. The rig stops as one unit. You cannot feel the trailer pushing or pulling the truck. The BrakeSmart has several safety features that are excellent. I will never go back to another type of brake controller again.

Even my wife noticed the difference and gave two thumbs up on the purchase!

MaxRock

Anyone one here now using one of these brake controllers, if so are you happy with it, also can you adjust them so the trailer brakes come on a little ahead of the tow vehicle?.

Have had mine for a while and am very happy. Hands down the best.

You can adjust the controller so the trailer brakes come on in allmost any proportion to the truck brakes. All the info is in the manual on how to set it up, though it may not be easy to find.

BuckeyeQuicky question sounds like someone who has a Hensly Arrow (I have one) and if the trailer's brakes don't come on slightly ahead of the truck the hitch tends to "slam" to one side. I know the question, been there, asked that. Hensley's response in the past is to turn up the gain to try and get the trailer stopping before the truck.

Currently running a Prodigy and Hensley is highly promoting this Brakesmart as "THE CONTROLLER". I have been hedging on getting one because of the cost, but from all reports, it seems to be the way to go.

Anybody got a picture of their installed unit?

I have had one on order now for over a month. I quess that they are finally shipping, but I don't know how far down the list I am. No biggie as I don't have my truck yet either!

Also, did you bleed the system just by loosening up the sender while break pressure was applied, then tighten? I'd assume the hose was not needed...

Not the best pic, but it is a start. I redid the install recently. I'll try to remember to take a picture of it.

Well I went ahead and placed my order for the brake smart this morning, I called them first to ask the question about whether or not the Brake-Smart could be adjusted, so the trailer brakes would lead the tow vehicle, and the answer is, yes it can, the only reason I was inquiring about it, was because I use to drive over the road, and when I would find myself driving on icy or wet roads, I would always tap lightly down on the trailer brake handle, what this would do is keep your trailer brake lines charged with air, that way, if you found yourself in a panic stop and you hit the brakes, you wouldn't lock up the tractor brakes and cause a Jack-Knife, because your trailer brakes would grab ahold first, well anyways they apparently are caught up on their orders, and shipping is back to normal, I'm paying $349.98, this includes the wiring kit also, plus there also offering free shipping for the Holidays, I know a lot of people think were crazy for spending that much on a trailer brake controller, but the fact of the matter is, when my Old Lady's behind the wheel, and theres 34 feet of trailer behind her, I want the best money can buy, because I have no wish to wake up and find myself flying off a 300' drop off:eek: .

BuckeyeQuickly, that makes perfect sense to me. I know when towing on wet roads with the camper or the race trailer, it's nice to have the trailer brake just ahead of the tow vehicle to prevent that scenerio. Also helps on keeping the wear down the tow vehicle brakes. Nice to not have that feeling of the trailer "pushing" you through an intersection either!

Where did you order it for that price including shipping??

Order directly.

http://www.brakesmart.net

Thanks for the pics Fingers, but how did you bleed the sender? And which cylinder did you run it off of, front or rear? (not that it probably makes any difference...)

I am sorry to say but the trailer brakes can not lead the hydraulic brakes on the truck. They can be instantaneous but they can not come on before the truck brakes. You need to apply the truck brakes to activate the trailer brakes, correct? If you agree with that, how can they anticipate your actions and come on BEFORE you apply the brakes?

I suspect what they mean is that you can set up the trailer brakes to come on stronger then the truck brakes. This would give you the illusion that the trailer brakes are coming on before the truck brakes but in reality the trailer brakes are just coming on stronger then the truck brakes.

Now the exception to the rule is if you manually apply the brake controller or you press the brake pedal just enough to turn on the brake lights but not apply hydraulic pressure to the disc's on your truck. In this case the brakes on the trailer can come on before the truck brakes. Perhaps this is what you looking for.

I guess the point I am trying to prove is that if you are in a panic situation and your first reaction is to push the pedal the floor, your trailer brakes will not come on before your truck brakes. They might come on at the exact same time but not a moment before.

Oilbrnr,

When I bleed the system, I loosened the truck brake line, not the pressure sensor, as someone was pushing the brake pedal. I installed the "T" on the rear brake line. The "T" tightened with the pressure sensor beling located straight down. I was able to install the pressure sensor directly onto the "T" without using the extension hose. I do not have pictures, but can take some this weekend and post.

BuckeyeQuicky,

I agree with your logic on purchasing this controller. It's hard to put a price on safety. You've invested over $60k on your rig, what is an additional $200? Think of it as an insurance policy...possibly could be "life" insurance!!!

MaxPower,

The way the BrakeSmart operates is stricktly on hydraulic pressure. I believe your first assumption of the trailer brakes coming on harder than the truck is accurate.

MaxRock

Max Power,

Not totaly true. Since the trailer brake controller is activated by the brake light, and the light comes on before the truck brakes take hold, yes, it can apply brakes before the truck. On the brakeSmart you can set a base current to send to the trailer as soon as the controller is activated.

Order directly.

http://www.brakesmart.net

Thanks for the pics Fingers, but how did you bleed the sender? And which cylinder did you run it off of, front or rear? (not that it probably makes any difference...)
Makes no differnce which cylinder you run it off of. Bleed it by pressing and holding the brake, loosen the sender, tighten the sender, and release the brake. Only took one cycle to bleed mine. The instructions are perfect, so you should have no problems.

MaxRock,

Thanks for the reply, makes sence to put the sender pointing down.

Now again, not that it makes any difference, but you put it on the master line closest to the firewall, or to the radiator?

The rear brake line (ie feeding the rear brakes) should be the front (towards radiator) line on the Master Cylinder. Least that is the way they used to be... :rolleyes:

Well, there you go. Thanks Fingers. I should have refreshed my browser and I would have had the answer.

):h

I've used the BrakeSmart for well over 160,000 miles now, towing in all kind of conditions with all kinds of loads. In my opinion it is the best you can get, and I've used most all of them.
You can set your gain up and you will have more power to your trailer brakes so it seems like your trailer brakes come on first, but it is just that that are holding ahead of your truck brakes.
I tow every day with weights ranging from 7k (empty trailer) to 24k and beyond. You honestly don't have to make any adjustments for the different weights, it works the same. If you run different trailers, it doesn't matter. No adjustments, it works the same on all of them. It will be the best $$$ you will have ever spent.

Wow.

'Nuff said. :ro)

I installed a Brake Smart controller a couple of weeks ago, I think it will be a good controller with my elect/hydro brakes, But I have a few questions regarding initial setup. I've left phone messages three times now asking to have my call returned, so far my phone hasn't rang. I have called during their business hours.

Can't say much for service after the sale. But they did charge my credit card immediately.

Bob

Not that it is an excuse, but BrakeSmart is a home based one man operation. My guess is he is out of town. He returned my call by the end of the day when I bought mine.

One hell of a way to run a business.

Bob

Based one your comments TBender, your signature re the Hensley, and my experience with Brakesmart, it sounds like your a bit, nay, a big cry-baby.

My Brakesmart controller was back-ordered for several weeks, and the owner was always very curtious when I inquired as to the status.

I've never towed a TT more comfortably then with a Hensley Arrow. I have never read a negative comment regarding the HA other than the cost.

I installed and tested my BrakeSmart this weekend. Sweet. I have not had a contoller that worked this well since the old Kelsey-H units from 30 years ago. Truely proportional.

One hell of a way to run a business.

Bob
I don't think its a one man business myself, because if you call the 800# it will eventually put you through to sells, and you will end up talking to the same guy from the other web site who you call at (817)-456-8773, but for some reason they try to keep the place where they manufacture the Brake Smart separate from their sells department, it may be a Tax thing, but if you plan on ordering one just call the 1-800 number.

Hello Guys,


A controller that works in the same manner as the Brakesmart is the Jordan 2020. It is cable controled where the Brakesmart is presure controlled.

I have the Jordan 2020 and it works. The harder I press the brakes, the harder the trailer brakes are applied. Might be something to consider since it is about $200+ cheeper than the Brakesmart.

Buy here for $99.
http://http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/product.php?productid=325&cat=0

How to install and how it works:
http://www.bestbrakecontroller.com/install.html

Jim

This year, Brakesmart will offer an EGT and Boost module kit for the existing units, so the controller will display that real-time information. My Brakesmart controler already has the software installed, been shipped that way for a number of months now. also, Brakesmart folks answeared my call the first time..