Brake Controller

[EdwinDavis]

I need to get me a brake controller for my truck and am looking at Hayes Genesis, anybody got any experience with this unit?

Next question is where am I going to mount one and keep it within specs.

The dash on the newer trucks leave little room for mounting. Only option I can figure out is a cubby hole, but can't figure out how to get the dash apart to be able to drill a hole in the back to run the wires threw.



Any help or suggestions on either subject is greatly appreciated, starting to wish I had hung on to my '96 2500 Ex Cab full bed.

 

[jelag]

It really depends on what you pull... we have a group of work trailers we pull and each one is different... . I like the Brake smart over the other brands for the following reason... .

Its pressure sensitive... . which means the harder you press the pedal the more brakes you get faster... . if you set this controller up right its worked better than any other unit we've tried over the past 10 years... its quick and easy to set up, and is true pressure sensitive... its also the highest priced unit... our largest trailer weighs 20K and is electric control over hyd disc brakes... and its works well...

My second choice is the controller that connects to the brake pedal... come on guys what brand is that... that truck isn't here right now but I put that one in when the brake smart was on back order... its almost as good... has the ability to sense how far the brake pedal moves with a cable. . the problem with this unit is it has to be where the cable connected to the pedal can function... its gain control is as good as the brake smart. . and even though it doesn't have a pressure sensor in the brake line it functions based on brake pedal travel...

Our other trucks have one of the other designs... electronic or pendulum design... both of these are slow in relation to the first 2 and you always feel like the brakes are wanting in a very fast stop... . and of course in a fast or panic stop your focused on other stuff so you don't have the thought or reaction to press the hand controller... .

I really like the system Ford has on their new trucks where its interfaced with the master cyl like the brake smart... After Dr Performance bought out brake smart I don't know what hes done but raise the price... . but in my personal opinion that is the best controller on the market even though its at a higher price... . If there is another one that is pressure sensitive I'd like to hear about it... as my new 5500 will be here soon and I need to do something for that.....

Hope this helps. .

 

[mfelix]

Jordan Ultima

 

[TKeeler]

BrakeSmart

I need to get me a brake controller for my truck and am looking at Hayes Genesis, anybody got any experience with this unit?

Next question is where am I going to mount one and keep it within specs.

The dash on the newer trucks leave little room for mounting. Only option I can figure out is a cubby hole, but can't figure out how to get the dash apart to be able to drill a hole in the back to run the wires threw.



Any help or suggestions on either subject is greatly appreciated, starting to wish I had hung on to my '96 2500 Ex Cab full bed.

After using the BrakeSmart and the other brands I wouldn't own anything but the BrakeSmart. Expensive but worth the extra $$ in my opinion.

 

[Cattletrkr]

If you don't want to spend the big $$$ for a brakesmart or similar, you really can't go wrong with a Tekonsha. A lot of guys like the Prodigy but a fair protion of the price is for bells and whistles not braking function. I have a Tekonsha Primus 'cause at the time the Prodigy couldn't handle elec over hyd brakes... and the Primus is cheaper.

I haven't look inside an '07 so I can't help ya with where to put it other than to say mine is above my right knee. I don't ever hit it and it works the way it's supposd to.

Ford's Tow Command is garbage. I know of only 2 or 3 trucks with it and they all have Prodigys 'cause the tow command took a crap.

 

[Jeepstang]

I run the Tekonsha prodigy I have had it since 1993 and it still works great

I have different harnesses and can switch it from truck to truck

I purchased a new piece of trim from the dealer and notched it out and set the controller back inside the dash some. the trim was only about 20. 00

 

[NeverSatisfied]

One thing to point out, I installed a Tekonsha and found out that Dodge did not completely hook-up the harness. They ran it from the hitch to the engine side of the firewall but didn't run it through the firewall. There is another post with pictures from me, you might want to search for it (I don't know how to put a link in yet).

 

[Jeepstang]

Mine plugged in to the connector under the dash and the harness from Tekonsha was not expensive at all

 

[Grizzly]

... . I like the Brake smart over the other brands for the following reason... .



Its pressure sensitive... . which means the harder you press the pedal the more brakes you get faster... . if you set this controller up right its worked better than any other unit we've tried over the past 10 years... its quick and easy to set up, and is true pressure sensitive... its also the highest priced unit... our largest trailer weighs 20K and is electric control over hyd disc brakes... and its works well...











What has happened to BrakeSmart since Dr Performance has sold it out and they are no longer in Weatherford, Texas? I hope with this move that the price goes down some.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Jeepstang - Mine was supposed to do the exact same thing, but the dealer didn't connect the harness to the connector under the dash. If you search for this, I am by far not the only one to experience this...

 

[SDunkle600]

One thing to point out, I installed a Tekonsha and found out that Dodge did not completely hook-up the harness. They ran it from the hitch to the engine side of the firewall but didn't run it through the firewall.

I had the exact same problem. I hooked up my Tekonsha Prodigy and it lit up but when I hooked up the trailer it showed no connection meaning it didn't recoginize the trailer. I took it to a local trailer shop where I got the trailer and they knew right away what the problem was and fixed it right up. Manufactors are getting cheaper and cheaper while the price continues to go up.

 

[Jeepstang]

I have not done any searches. I special ordered my truck and it came with a pig tail harness in the glove box that is universal to connect under the dash to the controller. the one from Tekonsha plugged into this connector under the dash. it may be something that needs to be ordered such as the towing package I am not sure. I know my friends 2006 had this and my 07. 5 has this as well. it sounds like another penny saving thing Chrysler did or the or this may be something that should have been done in the PDI.

 

[TKeeler]

... . I like the Brake smart over the other brands for the following reason... .



Its pressure sensitive... . which means the harder you press the pedal the more brakes you get faster... . if you set this controller up right its worked better than any other unit we've tried over the past 10 years... its quick and easy to set up, and is true pressure sensitive... its also the highest priced unit... our largest trailer weighs 20K and is electric control over hyd disc brakes... and its works well...











What has happened to BrakeSmart since Dr Performance has sold it out and they are no longer in Weatherford, Texas? I hope with this move that the price goes down some.

I just got my BrakeSmart a couple of months ago and it was I believe $435 including shipping. Expensive yes but it functions far superior to any of the pendulum type controllers.

 

[NStates]

I pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel with hydraulic disc brakes and use the Hayes Genesis. I find the unit excellent especially very smooth braking. I mounted it flush with the dash on the right side of the steering column. It is almost in a vertical position but works great.



Norm

 

[big61fourby]

I went with the Tekonsha P3; it's a newer model. Has 3 'boost' settings, depending on the size/weight of trailer. I usually pull an equipment trailer; level 1 when empty. Load up, switch to level 2 (or 3 depending on size), and go. Very smooth braking and easy to use.

 

[jelag]

The problem I have with most controllers is the time delay if have to stab the brake pedal in a panic... and your pulling a big load... . the brake smart and pressure sensitive circuit will really apply full brake function very fast...

DID Dr Performance sell off the line after he just bought it???? IS that what someone is saying above??

 

[BTighe]

my prodigy has the boost feature too and it locks the brakes right away if im unloaded. im not pulling heavy so i cant vouch for it there but i sure would test it out on what ever heavy trailer i planned to pull before dropping huge cash. that brakesmart sound so nice though!

 

[Grizzly]

The problem I have with most controllers is the time delay if have to stab the brake pedal in a panic... and your pulling a big load... . the brake smart and pressure sensitive circuit will really apply full brake function very fast...



DID Dr Performance sell off the line after he just bought it???? IS that what someone is saying above??

They did sell, but no one seems to know where they went.

 

[TKeeler]

They did sell, but no one seems to know where they went.

Dr. Performance - BrakeSmart