Now to add a brake controller.....which one?

[CRodi]

Fine a Maxbrake from someone that bought a new truck!!!!!!!!! Snoking

PM me when you're ready to give it up and I'll provide a US shipping address.

If I can't find a good used one when I really need one, I'll probably go with the Direclink.

In the mean time I got something called a pod Pro series 80500. I don't like it, and will be replaced with something else. Just got back from a quick trip to Long Island to pick up a car for a friend of mine. I couldn't rent a trailer, unless it was equipped with a brake controller. The so called "high volume" shop never heard of "Max Brake" or "Direclink", so I had to go with what they had.

I've had the truck 6 years and was the first time I had a need for a brake controller. All previous towing involved either light boats or trailers with hydraulic brakes. It takes some getting used to. I had it set for minimum braking and it still locked the trailer brakes. I didn't realize it until I finally found a section of dry pavement in town that wasn't snow covered. At first I thought it was exhaust smoke, but soon realized the trailer brakes were locking up.

I still can't believe there isn't an equivalent version of "Max Brake", although the "Direclink" appears to be the next best available controller.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It's setup per the instruction, and operates as you say it should... it just that the P2 did about the same as well. The P2 had smooth engagement, and would brake quite well.

When my MaxBrake quits working, hopefully a long time, I will have no issues going back to a P2 or P3 but I am not planning on ditching the MaxBrake anytime soon.

There is one feature I really liked on the P2 that is gone with the MaxBrake, and that is use in conjunction with the exhaust brake. The P2 would sense the deceleration from the exhaust brake and apply additional braking to the trailer, the MaxBrake doesn't so it requires more TV braking to get the same deceleration as the P2 with the exhaust brake on.

A lot of the reviews I have read of the MaxBrake vs other brakes are from folks that switched years and years ago from time delay units, and one cannot compare the P2/P3 to time delay controllers.

Are you saying the P-2 would apply the trailer brakes on it's own when the EB came on? I would not want that.

 

[RVTRKN]

I have BreakSmart on my 07 and had Prodigy P3 on my 04.5 even though the BreakSmart is far superior, the P3 worked OK, and would buy another if my new truck didn't have a break controller. I have not towed yet with the 2014.

 

[AH64ID]

Are you saying the P-2 would apply the trailer brakes on it's own when the EB came on? I would not want that.

No, but if you touch the TV brakes enough to activate the P2 and were decelerating with the EB the P2 would sense the deceleration and apply trailer brakes.

 

[GAmes]

I use a Prodigy P2 and am satisfied with it. Easy to adjust for different trailers and a life time warranty, which I have only needed once in over 500,000 miles of towing.

 

[RVTRKN]

The only issue between BrakeSmart/MaxBrake and Prodigy/accelerometer controllers, is in-climate weather and panic braking. It's nice to have brakes applied evenly with the trailer behind and under control. When I had the prodigy, I always kept my speed slower than traffic, but with the BrakeSmart I feel confident at higher speeds. As previously mentioned it's like you don't feel the trailer braking, unlike my Prodigy.

 

[Dutch & Di]

I'm with you. Dutch really likes the integrated controller but me not so much. We are adjusting the gain for when I drive because unlike Dutch, I don't want to glide to a stop, I want to STOP! I do still have my Max Brake in the closet----just in case!Oo. Hugs, Di

I'm a hoping the factory controller is a close second! Not selling my MaxBrake until I give the new 15 on order a try.

 

[jwduke]

Another good brake controller (If you can find one) is the Jordan Ultimate 2020. This is probably every bit as good as the Maxbrake, It is proportional like the Maxbrake, a truly simpler design, and believe it or not, cheaper to purchase. But just like Maxbrake, it is out of business. They were purchased by Camco, and they NEVER built another one. Weird!

 

[p-Bar]

This one is interesting . Plugs into OBD II port probably to monitor your MPH .
http://www.brakecontroller.com/direclink.htm

 

[SnoKing]

This one is interesting . Plugs into OBD II port probably to monitor your MPH .
http://www.brakecontroller.com/direclink.htm

Yep direclink is the only high end brake controller remaining. Snoking

 

[AH64ID]

There are better uses for my OBDII port. When my max brake goes TU I will go back to a P2 or P3, the MB is not that much better. It is better, but not enough to worry about.

 

[SnoKing]

There are better uses for my OBDII port. When my max brake goes TU I will go back to a P2 or P3, the MB is not that much better. It is better, but not enough to worry about.

Your not so rosy review of Maxbrake appears to be a odd man out issue, because the other 99.9% love them. Snoking

 

[RVTRKN]

My BrakeSmart is awesome compared to a P3, it is adjusted to my 5ver, and I never feel it braking because it is in perfect timing with the proportional brake signal. Unfortunately it's not made anymore as well as the Max Brake, it will be interesting to see how the OBDII system works, keep us informed on it if anyone that uses it.

 

[AH64ID]

Your not so rosy review of Maxbrake appears to be a odd man out issue, because the other 99.9% love them. Snoking

Where did I say I don't love it??? Or how is it not a rosy review? You are reading what you want to read and not what I am typing.

It is a great brake controller.... but lets face it. The reviews on this forum make it seem like the controller walks on water. It doesn't. Is it the best controller I have ever used? You bet it is, but it is no longer made, no longer servicabe, and not enough better than a P2 that it needs to be fretted over. There are times the P2 was better, mainly heavy exhaust braking, and times the maxbrake is better, such as quick/sudden braking.

I have always said it was better, just not enough better to cry about spilt milk.

It would be great if you read what I write and not what you want to read.

If I disliked it, as you seem to think, it would have been sold long ago. The simple fact is that it is not the controller the TDR hype made it out to be, but it is NOT a bad controller not by any stretch of the imgagination. But it is by no means the controller the TDR thinks it is. Just like in previous conversation mine operates as it should, but then again so did my P2, but it cannot do the mythical things many want to believe it can. I can see where it would be that much of a difference from a time-delay controller or a failed/poorly mounted deceleration controller but from a properly functioning P2 on a trailer with properly adjusted brakes it is not night and day...better yes, night and day no.

 

[SnoKing]

John, how often do you tow in rush hour traffic in Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Stockton, Palm Springs and other areas of I-10, and Phoenix?????? Snoking

 

[AH64ID]

I don't!!

You can see from my previous post the MaxBrake would accell in that style braking. I tow in the mountains, steep ones, and the difference is as I have descried. That being said if you are in traffic and your braking is more often a reaction than a precaution you are not watching the traffic close enough. Yes reactionary braking happens but it shouldn't happen the majority of the time.

I have driven my fare share of hours in excessive rush hour traffic and know the difference in braking styles.

 

[SnoKing]

That being said if you are in traffic and your braking is more often a reaction than a precaution you are not watching the traffic close enough. Yes reactionary braking happens but it shouldn't happen the majority of the time.

I have driven my fare share of hours in excessive rush hour traffic and know the difference in braking styles.
.

Unbelievable arrogance!

When one tries to leave space ahead, people will fill the gap with their econo box.

You should just sell you Maxbrake to someone that could use it to its potential, because as you noted it is more controller than you need. Snoking


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[AH64ID]

When one tries to leave space ahead, people will fill the gap with their econo box.

You can call it arrogance if you want, but I read your comment and it is intantly apparant that you really did not read what I wrote. If you are surprised by your braking action more often than you aren't then you are reactionary and not precautionary. If you think you cannot drive in I-5 traffic without being reactionary then we really have nothing to talk about and I know all I need to know.

I never said leave a space, did I?? Once again you are reading what you want to read, not what I said.

I will say it again... If you are braking more as a reaction than a precaution you are not watching traffic close enough.

That in NO way says leave a space for some A-HOLE to cut you off. All it says is to be prepared for what traffic will bring you. It doesn't matter what it is. If you are braking out of surprise you are braking due to a reaction and not a precaution.

SNO, we view most things the same way. Every now and then we have one of these threads and it is not uncommon for it to occur because you read what you want to read and no what I wrote. This thread alone has been a classic example of that.

When did I note it was more controller than I need??? Are you catching onto the theme yet. Slow down, read it again, crack a beer, and relax.

 

[NIsaacs]

There are better uses for my OBDII port.

I agree, my Edge Juice needs it

I have used all kinds of controllers but never a Max Brake so I can't comment on them. I will say that if you pull several different trailers, loaded and empty, a quick set gain is nice, especially one with a digital readout so you can go back to it time after time. If all you tow is the same loaded trailer such as a travel trailer you wouldn't need to set them much. The only time I wish I had a magical controller is when you encounter fast speed limit stop lights, those I don't like with what I have. I would like to try a Max brake some time for that reason.

Nick

 

[SnoKing]

"when you encounter fast speed limit stop lights" Especially when they do not have the flashing yellow lights indicating that the light is going to change! I run into this between Yakima and Toppenish on highway 97. Then again I have been told recently that I do not know how to drive very well.

One of the MaxBrake's major features is that for most people you set it once and it works for any trailer you tow. However YEMV!

Snoking