Brake controllers ?

[dblake]

Anybody have any suggestions on what kind of brake controller to buy ? I rarely tow but I want a good one .

 

[Diesel&Donuts]

Can't go wrong with either the Prodigy or Jordon brake controllers.

Harold

 

[WYoung]

I'd suggest you do a search as that info is all over the place on the forums, but I have a prodigy and really like it.

 

[Grizzly]

Go with a BrakeSmart.

 

[Sled Dog]

Go with a BrakeSmart.

Ditto!!! Buy the Best First, you'll never regret it!

 

[WDixon27]

i had never used/needed one till i got my jordan, worked good on my 2500 round mile trip to va to deliver a car and pick up a truck, i liked it's design and reviews combined with it's price

 

[J D Moore]

Consensus is that BrakeSmart is best & most expensive. I use the Jordan (the poor man's proportional controller) & have towed 40,000+ miles without a problem. Never had a Prodigy, but the Jordan replaced a Tekonsha whick was woefully inadequate. I understand the Prodigy is quite improved from the earlier pendulum types.

Jim

 

[CTRice]

I bought a Tekonsha Prodigy in 2002 for my Duramax Alley. Worked so good, I took it out and put it in my 2006 CTD 3500. Easy installation, proportioning according to brake pedal pressure, can be set for different trailer weights. All for $129 at Camping World. Can't beat the price for functionality.

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2006 Laramie 3500 4x4 QC SRW SB 48RE

2001 Cardinal 28ft Fiver

 

[rubberneck]

If you ever try a brakesmart, you will quickly forget how expensive they are. They work wonderfully and are worth every penny. I have installed 7 in my trucks and friends trucks.

 

[jkalchik]

I bought a Tekonsha Prodigy in 2002 for my Duramax Alley. Worked so good, I took it out and put it in my 2006 CTD 3500. Easy installation, proportioning according to brake pedal pressure, can be set for different trailer weights. All for $129 at Camping World. Can't beat the price for functionality.

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2006 Laramie 3500 4x4 QC SRW SB 48RE

2001 Cardinal 28ft Fiver

Don't kid yourself about that. The Prodigy does *NOT* sense brake pressure. It's got a sensitive accelerometer. If you hit the brakes on a slick surface, even to the point of lockup, it's not going to send out a high voltage. There are a few situations where a Prodigy falls down compared to a Jordan or a Brakesmart, this is one of them.

 

[GOlsen]

Is there any way to tell if you already have a brake controller? I bought my truck used, and I found a box underneath the dash. It doesn't have a wheel or anything on it like all the ones I've seen, but I don't know what else it could be. Also, I don't know if it matters, but my truck does have the 7-pin connector.

 

[Dieselnerd]

GOlsen, I've never seen a brake controller without some type of adjustment on it as well as a manual brake actuator. Pretty standard. If you have the factory tow package you could check and see if your "box" is plugged into it. It would also help to know the year of your truck since there are minor variations and some of the earlier models did not have the plug that the controller plugs into.



Also, if your mystery box was a brake controller it should have 4 wires coming out of the back. The brake wire is normally blue and you should also have a red, black and white wire.

 

[GOlsen]

Ok, I'll have to take a look at it again. It's underneath the dash kinda behind the radio. And as far as the truck goes, it's a 98 2500 2wd w/ towing package. Like I said, I'll have to take another look at it. I'll try to read what it says on the box also.

 

[LJFiler]

I have never owned a brakesmart or a jordan controller, but if you are towing rarely and do not want to spend alot of money for a controller I think that you will be happy with the prodigy. I have one and can not really complain about it. It works better than any other controller that I have own and used. JMO

 

[ramman]

I had a Jordan in my Dodge before my weak moment for a crew cab and Bought a Ford which also "employees" me,but the 350 has the factory intergraded brake control and it is the best I've ever had but the Jordan for $130 is dang near as good,lengthy install to route the cable to prevent binding but well worth the effort if you intend to keep the truck . I pulled my Jordan out of my 2500 before selling it and put the " Micro " back in which I used to think was a good controller and to keep as a back up.

IMHO if you are able to do the install and can buy one as I heard he had sold the company,Jordan is #2 on my list. If money is of no concern buy a Brake Smart,it works from a pressure transducer same set up as the Ford Tow Command which is made by Teknosa.

JMOP

 

[GBechtold]

You can't go wrong with a Prodigy alot of shed haulers use them and I have one it learns your braking habits it's the best controller I've ever used and I've been pulling heavy loads. (32,000Lbs Gross)

And now Techonsha makes one step higher than a prodigy I can't remember the name. And there is also the Techonsha voyager My dad used one of these in a 79 GMC Topkick with a 20 ton eagerbeaver tagalong worked good.

 

[KBennett]

The Tekonsha Prodigy is the only controller I have ever had but it has worked great for me. I recommended it to two friends with previous brake controller experience and they love theirs. All of us tow less than 10K pounds.



Even though it does not sense brake pressure you can set it to "boost" the signal to the trailer brakes when the pedal is pressed.

 

[Grizzly]

If you ever try a brakesmart, you will quickly forget how expensive they are. They work wonderfully and are worth every penny. I have installed 7 in my trucks and friends trucks.

Can the average Joe with some mechanic skills install a BrakeSmart? I have a DrawTight (not very good). I do not have a 5th wheel at the time however, I will be ordering a 27' Arctic Fox in the next month or two. Where is the best place to order a BrakeSmart? See my signature.

 

[RustyJC]

For those who believe in inertial controllers, what happens when one is on a slick surface (e. g. , a wet road during a sudden thunderstorm) and has to make a sudden stop when some clown pulls out in front of you? The answer can be wheel lockup on the truck before enough retarding force is generated to signal the inertial controller to apply the trailer brakes. This happened to me with our 1996 3500 towing a 5th wheel using a Tekonsha Sentinel inertial controller, and the result is an instant jack-knife. I was able to get off the truck brakes and catch the rig before the trailer pushed the truck into the ditch, but that's why I went to the Jordan - the trailer brakes are applied in direct proportion to application of the truck's brakes. The Brakesmart provides the same effect.



Rusty

 

[Sled Dog]

Can the average Joe with some mechanic skills install a BrakeSmart? I have a DrawTight (not very good). I do not have a 5th wheel at the time however, I will be ordering a 27' Arctic Fox in the next month or two. Where is the best place to order a BrakeSmart? See my signature.

#1. Yes



#2. www.drperformance.com