Brake Controller

[Slow Six]

I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a new fifth wheel trailer that is equipped with electric over hydraulic disk brakes. I now have a Prodigy controller which has worked well for me. My concern is if the Prodigy will work with the new rig. I'd rather not have to do an upgrade at this time as I may change truck in a year and if the new integrated controller works out I won't need to buy one.

 

[gerry]

I have been using the same old Kelsey-Hays unit I put on my 01 when new and have become less happy with it over time with gradually increasing weight trailers. I think before our season starts I will switch to the MaxBrake. $350 plus a few bucks for install seems like a lot but there's no doubt from reading the RV forums in my mind the MaxBrake is far better and more importantly safer than the older ''cheapies''. Just my opinion, gerry

 

[Simplysmn]

If I remember right on my Prodigy it say's that it will work fine on Elec over Hydro

 

[Grizzly]

I have the BrakeSmart, which is not made any longer. The MaxBrake is essentially the same. It uses hydraulic over electric system and works great.



The MaxBrake uses CVBC, which is Continuous Variable Brake Control technology. It's a process of converting hydraulic pressure, calibrated to your brake pedal motion, into electric current. As a result, your trailer will mimic your trucks braking force. You will have complete control of the trailer brakes and feels very natural. This is according to their publication. click here

 

[Mark31]

If I remember right on my Prodigy it say's that it will work fine on Elec over Hydro

Maybe the new ones do, but my 5-6 year old one did not (experience and Tekonsha's site). The brakes and controller no speakee da same language. My Tekonsha P3 is for both electric and electric over hydraulic and it only works fair. I want a Maxbrake. Mark

 

[Dutch & Di]

Are you going to be at May Madness? I'll have them with me & Dutch will install for you for $65. 00. Diana

I have been using the same old Kelsey-Hays unit I put on my 01 when new and have become less happy with it over time with gradually increasing weight trailers. I think before
our season starts I will switch to the MaxBrake. $350 plus a few bucks for install seems like a lot but there's no doubt from reading the RV forums in my mind the MaxBrake is far better and more importantly safer than the older ''cheapies''. Just my opinion, gerry

 

[Grizzly]

I have been using the same old Kelsey-Hays unit I put on my 01 when new and have become less happy with it over time with gradually increasing weight trailers. I think before our season starts I will switch to the MaxBrake. $350 plus a few bucks for install seems like a lot but there's no doubt from reading the RV forums in my mind the MaxBrake is far better and more importantly safer than the older ''cheapies''. Just my opinion, gerry

The MaxBrake is very simple to install. At the most about half an hour time. I installed my own BrakeSmart and my son installed his MaxBrake. You will need someone to help bleed the master cylinder. You don't have to bleed the wheels.



george

 

[DennyDay]

You can't go wrong with the MaxBrake - - Its worth the money - - easy to install and should be easy to swap over to new truck. Don't put off - - you'll be very happy the first time out!

 

[HBarlow]

Prodigy brake controllers are fully compatible with the bottoms of trash cans and with small stacks of paper if you need a paper weight.

Purchase a MaxBrake and experience what real trailer braking is like.

 

[RVTRKN]

The MaxBrake is very simple to install. At the most about half an hour time. I installed my own BrakeSmart and my son installed his MaxBrake. You will need someone to help bleed the master cylinder. You don't have to bleed the wheels.



george

Grizzly, you don't have to bleed the master cylinder, it will do it itself. When I installed my Brakesmart I thought the same and when I questioned my tech he confirmed that. Because the little bit of air, when you open it, that gets into the system will bleed back to the master cylinder and take care of itself. I thought about it before I installed it, and asked what it would cost me to bleed the system, he said not to worry. BTW he has the same controller. Brakes feel just fine after 20K miles, of coarse I don't use them much with the EB. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly, you don't have to bleed the master cylinder, it will do it itself. When I installed my Brakesmart I thought the same and when I questioned my tech he confirmed that. Because the little bit of air, when you open it, that gets into the system will bleed back to the master cylinder and take care of itself. I thought about it before I installed it, and asked what it would cost me to bleed the system, he said not to worry. BTW he has the same controller. Brakes feel just fine after 20K miles, of coarse I don't use them much with the EB. :-laf

The instructions say to bleed the Master Cylinder, so I did. Not a big deal if you have someone help pump the brake pedal.



george

 

[EB]

I would go ahead and get a MaxBrake and be done with it. A driver where I work just got a new Dodge 3500 pickup and said the integrated brake controller did not work very well with her trailer that has electric/hyd brakes. She is putting her old Brakesmart she kept out of her other pickup in the new one. I've had a Brakesmart for a number of years and have never had a bit of trouble with it. It has been in two pickups and been used with both electric and electric/hyd brakes and has been used for well over 300,000 miles of heavy towing. MaxBrake seems to be the same unit, just made by someone else.

 

[HBarlow]

I would go ahead and get a MaxBrake and be done with it. A driver where I work just got a new Dodge 3500 pickup and said the integrated brake controller did not work very well with her trailer that has electric/hyd brakes. She is putting her old Brakesmart she kept out of her other pickup in the new one. I've had a Brakesmart for a number of years and have never had a bit of trouble with it. It has been in two pickups and been used with both electric and electric/hyd brakes and has been used for well over 300,000 miles of heavy towing. MaxBrake seems to be the same unit, just made by someone else.

Hey, EB. Good to hear from you. The oil patch must be treating you well from the odometer count in your signature. It looks like you are catching up with TulsaOkie. I think he is reporting 350+.

 

[EB]

Hey, EB. Good to hear from you. The oil patch must be treating you well from the odometer count in your signature. It looks like you are catching up with TulsaOkie. I think he is reporting 350+.

Actually, I need to update my mileage on my sig. It's well over 311k now, doubt if I can catch TulsaOkie unless he changes trucks or breaks down. We are hit and miss down here, run like heck for a week or so then nothing for a few days. Gives me time to catch up with my reading and work around the house. I'm hoping I won't do much this weekend, it's supposed to rain a flood tonight. Will be sloppy getting to the rigs next week.

 

[CKelley1]

hbarlow i agree and like the comment about the trash can

 

[Disel Dave]

MAXBrake the only and best way to go.

 

[Slow Six]

Well I hope you guys are right. I quit the whining and have one on the way.

 

[HBarlow]

Well I hope you guys are right. I quit the whining and have one on the way.

Congratulations. Good decision. You won't regret it and won't be back to tell us we told you wrong.

 

[CharlesHoward]

What about modern Electronic systems like Hensley's Tru Control OR "Fifth Generation" Network Brake Controller like the Direclink that claim to be BETTER than traditional external motion sensing or single input brake line pressure or mechanical connection to brake pedal?
Has anyone tried these?

 

[HBarlow]

What about modern Electronic systems like Hensley's Tru Control OR "Fifth Generation" Network Brake Controller like the Direclink that claim to be BETTER than traditional external motion sensing or single input brake line pressure or mechanical connection to brake pedal?
Has anyone tried these?

Their claims are issued with the singular purpose of selling their product. Do you accept product advertising as fact?

In my opinion their claim is exaggerated or outright false and their product is not even 1/2 as good as the BrakeSmart or MaxBrake controller.

You'll make your own choice with your money and live with the results. I and all the rest of us who own and use true hydraulic pressure sensing brake controllers can only tell you that until you have tried one you simply do not and cannot understand what we are telling you and how a real trailer brake controller can work. Many who now appear here praising the MaxBrake were satisfied with their inertia controllers several years ago.

I have been using trailer brake controllers since my first travel trailer purchased in late '72. I've used several different styles and brands. All except the old Kelsey-Hayes that tapped directly into the tow vehicles brake lines and now my BrakeSmart which does the same but uses a mini-computer to process the pressure signal and convert it to a dc electric output were poor and inadequate compromises.