Brake controller choices

[mikel]

Hi,



I'm hoping to get some advice on brake controllers.



I currently have a Drawtite Activator II brake controller that is time-based, so at a certian time after you first touch the brakes the trailer brakes will ramp up to whatever you have set the maximum level to. It functions well, but I get nervous with it because there is no easy way to deal with a "panic stop". The controller always takes the same amount of time to apply the brakes no matter how hard you step on the brake pedal.



I'm going to be upgrading it pretty soon and I think I've narrowed the choices to the Tekonsha Prodigy (sp?) or the Jordan Ultima 2020.



I know the Jordan uses a cable to apply trailer brakes directly related to how hard the truck brakes are applied by attaching to the brake pedal. This sounds like a good idea to me, but they seem to be the only ones doing it. I've read some good comments about this controller from other threads here.



I don't know too much about the Prodigy. It doesn't seem to have a cable that ties into anything so I assume (always a bad idea) that it uses some kind of inertia device. I remeber an old inertia controller we used to have that would react to bumps in the road and sometimes stab the trailer brakes when we'd hit a good-sized pothole. The thing is, I've read alot of good comments about this controller too so somebody must have figgured out how to fix that little personality trait.



So now I can't decide which one will work the best for me. I pull everything from a bumper-pull car carrier to a gooseneck flatbed to potentally a camper trailer.



Thanks for the help,

Mike

 

[BPINE]

Here is another option http://www.masterbrake.com/ Yes the price is not for the weak of heart (350. 00) but it works very well. It uses a transducer in the brake line to apply the exact amount of braking to the trailer that the truck in using. So far I am very happy. You can also check out the electrolic disc brakes on the site as well, I have those to and the braking is the best.

 

[BGDUMMY]

I have the Prodigy!!

Had the Drawtite Activator II before this.

The difference is Big between them both.

Don't have any expierence with the Jordan (they say it is good), but it is Hard to beat the Prodigy for price & warranty.

 

[Oliver88]

Jordan Ultima 2020.

Greg

 

[JMichelson]

Prodigy

I had a Drawtite on my truck and had the same problems you described. I installed a Prodigy, it was easy to hook up and it has performed as advertised. I have towed over 5000 miles with mine. I really like it’s ability to sense the deceleration of the truck and apply the trailer brakes accordingly, no jerky braking during slow stop and go driving. I’ve had to make a couple of panic stops and with rapid deceleration of the truck I could feel the trailer brakes coming on harder. I set it once and have not touched it since. I tow a 5000lb travel trailer with two axles. Jeff

 

[klenger]

You already know the answer, you just want us to tell you what it is.

 

[RustyJC]

I've run time-ramped single output (Reese Brakeman I), inertial (Tekonsha Sentinel) and true proportional (Jordan Ultima 2020) controllers. Hands down, the Jordan is the superior choice!



Rusty

 

[J D Moore]

I have the Jordan Ultima and have towed about 7,000 miles since installation. It replaced an earlier version of a Tekonsha (not Prodigy). I am VERY pleased with the Jordan and installation was not that difficult.

 

[sbiel]

Sorry I did not put a Jordan in to begin with !!! Really pleased with mine ...

 

[BIG BOB]

I have the Jordan 2020, it works great and I'm pleased with it.



I have also heard good reports on the Prodigy.

 

[dremelts]

I've got the Jordan. I have never had any experience with any other controller, but I am totally happy with the Jordan. You step on the brake pedal a little bit and you get a little bit of trailer braking - step on the pedal hard and you get a lot - exactly as you would expect. The thing just plain works - no fiddling or adjusting.



I think Jordan was having some sort of promotion recently, but even at full price it is worth it.

 

[Koa Man]

The promotion was wwcd2's group purchase for 1 week only. That was about a month or so ago. Found out about it 2 days before it ended... . got a Jordan Ultima for $99 shipping included. Received it in Hawaii 3 days after calling and speaking to Mr Jordan himself.