Brake Controllers-Which One is Best?

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Can anyone help out with ideas and/or recommendations on controllers for electic tow brakes? Dodge dealer says his Reese #74642D plugs straight into the pre-wired system on Rams with the towing package. RV dealer says he wires his Tekonsha #9030 independently of the pre-wired system in order to avoid potential problems. What is the difference between the Reese and the Tekonsha(which is smaller and apparently works on a different principle). Which controller is better. Any comments or preferences from your experience would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

Pete.


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'97 2500 CC 4x4 5spd 3. 54LSD all stock except K&N Air, EGT&Boost Guages - next Psychotty & 4" exhaust

 

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Two of our trucks have the Tekonsha Sentinel's in them. The best electric brake control I've ever used. It's easy to fine tune and don't have the problem of the brakes locking up or not working like we have with other brake controllers. I haven't tried all the other controllers out there but I highly recommend the Tekonsha Sentinel, it's easy to read and adjust, you can even turn up the braking power in an instant for those quick stops when driving around town with a heavy load and stupid stop lights.

Kyle

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2001 Dodge Ram White 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 24 Valve Cummins 3. 54 6 Speed Manual, Alpine CDA-7863 60Wx4 CD Receiver, Cup Smoothie, 285/75/16 Dunlop Radial Rover A/T, Chrome Westin Step Bars, PowerEdge Module, 275hp RV Injectors, Straight-piped, TNT Spray-in Bedliner, Tint, DeeZee D. P. Toolbox, Bugshield, Cody GN Hitch, Tekonsha Sentinel Brake Controller

1995 Dodge Ram Black 2500 Club Cab 12 Valve Cummins 3. 54 5 Speed Manual, Ventshade Door Sill Plates, TST Kit/AFC Spring, Tekonsha Sentinel Brake Controller, EZ Drain Plug, GTS Sportguards, Tint, Wilson 3' Antenna, Cobra 75WX ST CB, Better Built D. P. Toolbox, Bugshield, Alpine 3 Disk In Dash Changer, Cup Smoothie, SS Rocker Panels, Ultimat, Combo Guage, Airlift Rear Air Bags, SS Bed Rails, Eagle Alloy 16x8 1189, Bedliner, GN/BP Hitches, 4" Downpipe/Exhaust System, Husky Floor Liners

1993 Dodge Ram Red/Grey 250 Club Cab LE 12 Valve Cummins 3. 54 4 Speed A/T, Chrome American Racing 16x8, Banks PowerPack/Quickturbo, PacBrakes, 6 Disk Kenwood CD Changer, GN/BP Hitches, Tint, DashCover, Bedliner, Boost/Pyro Guages, Alarm/Keyless Entry, Weatherguard Toolbox

2000 Exiss SS400 4 Horse GN Trailer
1996 CM Brushbuster 16' Stock GN Trailer

 

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Have used several different brands and models over the years. Tekonsha Sentinel is by far best I've ever used. Easy to adjust. Works well with different trailers and different size loads.

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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver

 

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I concurr with all above. Tekonsha has been building these things since Christ left Chicago, and they do the job. As well, there are other units out there that are also very good, BUT--Tekonsha has a bulletproof reputation.

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2001 QC Dually SLT+ 354 LSD AUTO 4WD Driftwood SS Railcaps Stainless Werks step-rail nerfs Rhino spray-in liner Aux B/U lites Diamond Plate Alum Highways tow box SS Fender lips Jardine 4" Mag-Hytec diff & transmission Alcoa classics Reese 20K hitch 28ft Holiday Rambler 5er w/slide 84 Scrambler 4" lift 33/12. 50's 4. 56 gears soft locker/trac-lok Built 258 w/Mopar fuel injection conversion BUILDING 66-442 Olds, ground up--OH BABY! NRA 25 YEAR MEMBER

 

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After much TDR consultation, I bought the Tekonsha as well. I love it. Granted I don't tow nearly as much or as often as many TDR members but it certainly works well for me.

Installation was a snap. It plugs right into the Dodge wire harness just left of the steering column. Same as the dealer installed controller. I removed my Ashtray and hung the controller inside the recess in the dash. I'm going to rehang the ashtray cover door with two screws so that it hinges and put a snaplatch up top. This way when not towing we can close the front and it looks the same as without the controller.

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2000 Ram 2500 QC 4x4 SLT with Cummins and 5 spd transmisssion.
Stock so far but considering bedliner and louvered gate... then?

 

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Ditto that on the Tekonsha,no problems stopping a fifth wheel loaded with 28 1000lb bins of apples just have to remember to turn it down for the empty return trip or it's skid city. Do have to adjust the trailer brakes daily during peak hauling season,exaust brake is definatly in the picture soon.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,30,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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We have been using the Sentinels for 5 years now. Have them in dozens of trucks. Best control we have used to date. Will not go wrong with it. Lots of helpful diagonostics with LED.

jjw
ND

 

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Just to be the fly in the ointment here, I will offer my opinion on the subject. I have had my Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller installed for 1. 5 years now and love it! It not only functions better than the rest (due to its proportioning cable assembly that PRECISELY MIRRORS the brake pedal movement... no delayed reaction from a pendulum or electronic proportioning that does NOT mirror your stopping requirement), but is more aesthetically pleasing than the rest as well. In addition, the Ultima 2020 is extremely well made, using a black anodized aluminum case (instead of plastic), and does not require a mounting bracket; instead, the mounting screws pass directly through the aluminum case allowing for a lower profile, cleaner looking mount. A tow vehicle to trailer continuity LED is provided as well as an LED ammeter readout. A gain adjustment as well as a manual brake button are also provided. The Ultima 2020 can be purchased for $150. (1998 price) directly from Jordan Research.

I just thought I would add another contender to the topic. #ad


Jordan Research can be reached at:
1-800-533-0306 (M-F 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST)

Their address is:
6244 Clark Center Ave.
Suite #4
Sarasota, FL 34238-2752

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X spray in liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus many other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 07-12-2000). ]

 

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Is the Tekonsha proportional, or not? If it is proportional (brake power to the trailer related to the brake power to the truck), and is, "bullet proof," like you guys say then I'll be buying it.

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 anti-spin, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock, + a mpg increaser goodie. Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R (For Sale)
1990 Toyota Celica
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL (For sale)
1983 Mazda RX-7 GS (For sale)

 

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The Tekonsha is proportional. I measures the decelleration rate of the truck and applies the trailer brakes proportionally.

I have the new Tekonsha Envoy. Not a lot of experience with it yet but it seems to work as well as the Sentinel.

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Glen Eaton
2001 2500QC SLT LB 5sp 4x4 Garnet, Line-X, Steel GemTop, Karry boat loader, VDO gauges

 

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Love my Sentinal! I mounted mine with heavy duty velcro to the steering bolster on the right side. It is installed and removed in a snap. Braking is proportional and has a manual over-ride.

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Jim

Patriot blue Y2k 5sp Stealth 2500 (markings removed)QC,SLT+,leather, camper,TT,lsd,3. 54,4x4,hd xfer case,Geno's dual gauge,DD IIM's and boost module,ARE lid & bedrug liner, Sony 10 disk cd changer.

 

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Thanks guys. Really helpful feedback. It looks like Tekonsha Sentinel hands down, but John's Ultima also sounds interesting.

Pete.

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'97 2500 CC 4x4 5spd 3. 54LSD all stock except K&N Air, EGT&Boost Guages - next Psychotty & 4" exhaust

 

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I'll throw in my . 02 worth - well, actually $ 96 worth.

Bought a Hayes Wheels International, Inc. Micro Control HD Plus. Handles up to 2-4-6 or 8 brake systems. Limited Lifetime Warranty. LED indicators. Optional remote control.

Programmable to your load.

I had to do a panic stop in the left side East bound lane of I40 in OK and have never experienced a better or smoother stop. No jerking, etc. Had 18 wheeler in front of and behind me. We were trucking at 70 mph when everything came to a HALT! Gross weight was 18,000 lbs. give or take a couple hundred.

If I had been using my previous brake control, I cannot imagine where I would have ended up.

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"Red Rage" - 2001 2500 SLT 4x4 QC Lowered Rear End 2. 5" 5spd, 4. 10 K&N Stock Replacement - 9,000 miles and counting! 30' 5th Wheel