Brake controller

[b.j.oneill]

Just so all will know I found the best brake controller I have ever had theTekonsha Prodigy . I found out about it on the DP and got it in today this thing really works just incase anybody is looking to get a new one I got on to replace my voyger and there is know comparison look at http://www.brakecontroller.com/ for all the details

 

[C Schomer]

I'm headin' to Camping World to get one this AM. The Jordan is good but I've been hearing about cable related problems lately. One of the guys in our RV club just put on a Prodigy and says it work absolutely perfect - even on very steep downgrades. That sold me, especially knowing how consciencious and fussy this guy is!! He checked out the one that's supposed to come out this summer that connects to the hydraulics and found out it's going to cost a fortune - at least at this point. Craig

 

[b.j.oneill]

I liked it so much I ordered another one today for my other truck

 

[D6Diesel]

I've been using a Tekonsha Sentinel and it's been reliable and easy to configure.

 

[C Schomer]

You hardly ever hear about anybody unhappy with the Sentinals. If mine would have been a Sentinal, I probably wouldn't have changed. I had a Voyager and it wasn't anything to write home about! The Prodigy is in but I won't be towing for a few more weeks. I'll give it the 'acid test'! There's a 14% grade hill not far away! :--) Craig

 

[FDziurda]

Prodiigy's on E-Bay

In case any folks are interested, I found the Prodigys available on E-Bay for around $100. Do a seach for "Prodigy". I ordered mine from one of the on-line suppliers and it cost me a little more. I'm very pleased with mine.



Frank Dz

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by C Schomer

You hardly ever hear about anybody unhappy with the Sentinals.

First time for everything, I guess! Because of an inherent aspect of its design, our Sentinel just about caused a major accident. As an inertial controller, the Sentinel depends on the truck's reaching a certain level of deceleration (depending on the adjustment settings) to initiate trailer braking.



We had a Sentinel on our 1996 3500 which we were using to tow our 13,500 lb GVWR 5ver until our 2002 truck arrived (see signature). We were towing in the suburbs of Houston going from our RV storage facility to U. S. 290 - many of these suburban/rural roads are 2 lane with no curbs and deep ditches. While towing, we ran from dry conditions into a heavy thunderstorm - not unusual for the Texas Gulf Coast. Approaching the next stop sign with the roads now very wet, I began to brake (I hadn't had time to readjust the settings on the Sentinel. ) Before the Sentinel ever engaged the trailer brakes, the right front brake of the 1996 Ram locked up due to the slick conditions (and probably a sticky caliper, etc. ). The net result is that the truck almost jacknifed, and with no trailer brakes (deceleration rate was not sufficient to activate them), the 5ver was pushing us straight for the ditch. Long story short - I got off the truck brakes, got everything straightened out but blew right through the stop sign (luckily without hitting anyone!)



This situation is one of the main reasons I went to the Jordan Ultima 2020 controller on the new truck. When I touch the brake pedal, I have trailer brakes. The amount of trailer braking I get is controlled directly by my right foot - a truly proportional controller.



JM2CW.



Rusty

 

[RThompson]

RustyJC

You got that exactly right! I haven't had a chance to use the latest edition of some of the inertia controllers, but I have had my share of problems with older ones. Jordan 2020 is the best thing since the old electric/hydralic controllers.

The cable is a none issue if you mount the controller above brake pedal so that it is more or less inline with pedal assembly. I have had the plastic cover (the one I mounted it on) off several times putting in exhaust brake and gauges and I find that it goes right back in place without disturbing the adjustment. I see some members use ashtray opening and that must work also.

One last thing, the digital ampere readout is great for determining your base setting and if all the brake magnets are doing their job. ( I use to go around to all the wheels and use a compass to check magnets) Electric trailer brakes are such a 'iffy' thing, that you can't have too much info if they are still working ok. ( kind of like the POS lift pump that we put up with. ) I don't get off on touting a name brand often, but we have 11,000 towing miles now on the new truck and the Jordan has been a set and forget item.

 

[GSchlegel]

I really like my Prodigy! I have mine set on boost level 1 so the instant I touch the brakes the trailer is braking and the force ramps up from there. Love it!



#ad




Gene

 

[b.j.oneill]

Thats pretty cool Gene how did you mount it there do you like it in the asher I don't use mine exept to put change in right now mine is by my right leg and I realy don't like it there gets in the way thats a good idea tell me the details. The more I pull with my prodigy the more I like it!!!

Ben

 

[GSchlegel]

I really like it in the ashtray, easy to see and reach. Kids love seeing the volts ramp up! Its a nice, tight fit in the ashtray. Vertically there is no extra tolerance and there's around an 1/8" horizontally. I made two templates before I had a close fit. Used a Dremel to do all the cutting and sanding.

 

[b.j.oneill]

what where the exact measurments you ended up useing did you just slide it in or is it braced any way and last what did you use for a templates

thanks,

Ben

 

[MidwestMotorman]

inertia controllers

Well, the Prodigy sounds pretty nice. Does it have the manual slide knob? I would not own a controller without a manual slide knob. Any folks who tow on gravel, ice, snow, or rain must have them and learn to use them. Everyone in my family has always used an inertia controller. One has to get to know where the controller and manual knob are at all times. Just because the controller is truly proportional does not mean it is going to stop you.



An example, how many semis do you see jackknife? They use air braking, which is about as proportional as you can get. But you cannot have even braking with any controller no mattter what conditions one drives on. Every wheel has a different load on it, and will brake different from every other wheel. Apply the brakes on anything but dry pavement, and you have a potential problem on your hands. That is where the wonder of a controller with a manual slide knob will save your a$$. You will want to brake the trailer without touching the towing rig's brakes because you will need to steer and do not want the truck to skid but stay straight on the road.



I can think of countless times of seeing accidents on ice where a truck and trailer lost control on a patch of ice, and the owner did not brake the trailer only. The whole setup will just get sideways and put you in the ditch or worse. Long story short, know your controller and don't always rely upon its normal operation to stop you.

 

[b.j.oneill]

It has a manual slide and its easy to get to

 

[RustyJC]

Re: inertia controllers

Originally posted by nathanbush

Long story short, know your controller and don't always rely upon its normal operation to stop you.

Better yet, have a controller that responds immediately and proportionally to your right foot, not one that requires readjustment every time conditions change and grabbing for the manual control because you have no trailer brakes. Yes, the Jordan has a manual control, and yes, I might back off the output slightly in wet conditions, but if I feel a trailer brake locking in slick conditions, I can just ease up on the brake pedal slightly and the trailer brakes respond immediately, regardless of deceleration rate. And no, I'm not a novice at towing trailers, either. The facts are - the unexpected happens, and when it does, one does not always have time nor is it always convenient to be grabbing for manual controls and trying to match trailer braking with a hand control against truck braking with your right foot!



I just pointed out a fatal design flaw (as far as I'm concerned) of the Sentinel-type inertial controller - until a specific deceleration rate is reached, you have no trailer brakes. Tekonsha obviously felt the same way as they provided the "immediate boost braking" in the Prodigy that's energized by pedal actuation, not by deceleration forces. Do I come off as emotional over this issue? Well, I guess I am - it nearly cost me a truck and 5ver, not to mention whatever injuries might have been suffered by my family.



At the end of the day, it's your money. Use what works best for you. That's what I did when I got rid of the Sentinel and bought the Jordan.



Rusty

 

[GSchlegel]

b. j. oneill,



Sorry, I don't have any exact dimensions. I'll tell ya how I did it though. I started with the basic width and height of the rear of the Prodigy. I cut out a hole of that dimension with radiused corners. I used some non-corrugated cardboard from a box. I would slide it on from the rear and mark the contact points. I'd trim a little and try again untill the template would make it just short of the lever on the bottom. I had a couple gaps I didn't like so that is the reason for the second template. I then traced this outline centered side to side and about 1/8" down from the top. I cut the ashtray inside of the lines and again trialfit to determine where to remove additional material. The ribs on the inside bottom of the ashtray need to be removed and I had to remove an additional approx. 1/16" from the bottom of the ashtray to get the controller to fit properly. I used the supplied mounting screws to secure the controller. I simply drilled a hole through each side of the ashtray to run the screws through. If you have any questions, let me know.



nathanbush,



You are absolutely correct, all controllers need to have a lever to independently apply the trailer brakes in a proportional maner. The Prodigy has the lever and it works very easily and smoothly. I used it this weekend in some rain. That is one reason I like the ashtray location instead of some of the more "hidden" locations.



RustyJC,



The Prodigy has a "boost function that allows you to select no-boost, or boost levels 1, 2, or 3. Boost is the immediate application of 10 to 25% brakes. (I'm going from memory, the percentages could be slightly different. ) Our Boy Scout trailer weighs around 5,000# and I used boost level 1. In rush hour traffic and open highway, everytime I applied the trucks brakes, the trailer's brakes were immediately applied and the truck slowed, stopped, and felt just like it does without a trailer. In other words, brake application was immediate and proportional.



So far I have been 100% satisfied with the Prodigy and reccomend it highly.



P. S. I am in no way affiliated with Prodigy, it's subsidiaries, venders, suppliers, distributors, retailers, nor do i have any resemblence to any of the above, rather living or dead! Just a satisfied comsumer.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by GSchlegel

RustyJC,



The Prodigy has a "boost function that allows you to select no-boost, or boost levels 1, 2, or 3. Boost is the immediate application of 10 to 25% brakes. (I'm going from memory, the percentages could be slightly different. ) Our Boy Scout trailer weighs around 5,000# and I used boost level 1. In rush hour traffic and open highway, everytime I applied the trucks brakes, the trailer's brakes were immediately applied and the truck slowed, stopped, and felt just like it does without a trailer. In other words, brake application was immediate and proportional.

I realize the Prodigy has that feature. In fact, I believe I even said that in my last post. The Sentinel doesn't, however - my original post was in response to a statement regarding the Sentinel, not the Prodigy. Two entirely different animals.



Rusty

 

[MidwestMotorman]

I am not trying to start an argument over which one is better. I do think Tekonsha has a pretty good line of controllers that obviously work different for different people. I guess some of us have used the older technology for so long, we just get used to things being that way. I use the Voyager XP myself, but if there is something better, safer, and more user-friendly, I am all for it.



None of us get on the road expecting to be in an accident, but it is nice to be prepared and ready for it or avoiding it.



It has been a long day, somebody pass me a cold one.

 

[GSchlegel]

RustyJC,



Sorry about that, somehow my brain didn't comprehend what my eyes must have seen.



Gene