Brake smart or new Prodigy?

[DFrank]

I am sick of my old Teconsha controller. It needs to be adjusted for different trailewrs and different loads and just never quite works right.



I read some great feedback on the Brakesmart, but it is about 100 bucks more than the prodigy, which I have also heard is leaps above the old ones.



Anyone know if hookong up a brakesmart could have warrantee ramifications for the ABS system?



Using the pressure from the trck brake system really seems like it must be the best way to go.



Thanks for your opinions, Dave

 

[klenger]

This may help answer your question about ABS and BrakeSmart.



http://www.brakesmart.net/article1.htm



Here are some pics and comments on the BrakeSmart controler in my 04. 5.



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/brakesmart/slide01.html



You might also consider the Jordan controller. Works somewhat like the BrakeSmart but uses a cable instead of the pressure sensor, and is about $200 cheaper.

 

[MYamamoto]

Originally had the Tekonsha Prodigy. Very nice controller but was a little "Grabby" at times. Interested to see how the new BrakeSmart Contoller does.

Average trailer weight and cargo comes out to around 17,000 lbs. Puts the truck and trailer around 24000-25000 lbs.

Received the new BrakeSmart Controller today. Got it installed today. Install was very simple. Did need to borrow a friend's foot to help me bleed the air after the new fitting was installed. Install time probably 30-45 min.

Have not had a chance to tow with it yet. Hopefully I will be on the road either tomorrow or next Tuesday. Will see what happens. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will try to post some results for any questions.

 

[DFrank]

I am still interested. I have not yet replaced my old one.

 

[Apence]

I have the prodigy in my 04. 5 and had it in my 96 for about a month before it was in the new truck, I love it I tow a 35' gooseneck(8000lbs) and a Cat 416 backhoe combined 24,500 trailer and tractor and it breaks very smoothly

 

[MYamamoto]

Well after getting the BrakeSmart unit installed, I finally got to tow with it in traffic and with some weight behind me. After a couple minor adjustments to the gain, everything seems to be running flawlessly.

Braking is extremely smooth, no jerking or grabbing. If you get into a hard braking situation, it supplies the perfect amount of power to the trailer. You pretty much never feel the trailer pushing you or pulling you to stop. Truck and trailer stop just perfectly together. Just the way it is supposed to be.

So far I am VERY happy with the controller and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[klenger]

You pretty much never feel the trailer pushing you or pulling you to stop.

That's exactly what my first impression was. Operation was so smooth, that it was hard to comment on. It just seems like you haven't hooked up the trailer yet.

 

[Dean Upson]

I don't know about the Brake Smart, but the Prodigy is far better than the old-style Tekonsha's. I really like mine.



Dean

 

[CLAYTON]

Love my Prodigy. . It's fool proof and works great. . I like the fact that I can put it on a different boost setting when going down a hill and it gives me that extra stopping power.

 

[JRG]

It sounds like the Prodigy is more of a plug-n-play set up?



JRG

 

[DFrank]

Originally posted by CLAYTON

Love my Prodigy. . It's fool proof and works great. . I like the fact that I can put it on a different boost setting when going down a hill and it gives me that extra stopping power.

Why would you want to change a boost setting to descend a hill? With tte Brake smart don't you just press the pedal harder to stop on hills?

 

[CLAYTON]

Originally posted by DFrank

Why would you want to change a boost setting to descend a hill? With tte Brake smart don't you just press the pedal harder to stop on hills?

I'm new to all of the towing and hauling stuff. . My 5er stops fine on the normal setting... I just thought that it was cool how it made the brakes more sensitive on the trailer by changing the setting. With it on the normal setting it stops like it's not even behind me with the boost level up it stops a lot quicker. I think that boost option is for when you are towing a heavier load. My trailer is light weight compaired to what some of you are towing coming in at around 9500lbs... If I were to tow something heavier then that I would up the boost level.

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by DFrank

I read some great feedback on the Brakesmart, but it is about 100 bucks more than the prodigy

Think again. From what I understand the Prodigy can be found for under 100 dollars. That makes the Brakesmart 250 dollars more than the Prodigy. Remember that there is the controller *and* the wire harness. You cannot install the Brakesmart without the harness since the Harness has the hydrualic sensor in it.



That being said the Brakesmart is simply awesome. You cannot imagine just how well it truly works. And calibration is a breeze too. Just press and hold the red button for two seconds and it completely configures the controller automatically. What a unbelievable product. As others have said, you cannot even tell the trailer is back there. Plus it automatically senses brake fade and accomodates accordingly. As you can tell I am VERY happy with mine.

 

[MYamamoto]

JRG, I guess as for the installation, the Prodigy would be plug and play since most truck that are purchased for towing have the tow package and plug ins for the brake controller. The installation on the BrakeSmart is not the much different. It does use the same type of plug for the main control wires. The only other difference is installing the "T" fitting in the brake line and screwing in the pressure sensor. In my opinion, the whole install was very simple.

As for operation, I have had the Prodigy and now I moved up to the BrakeSmart. Each time I tow, the weight in the trailer is different. I was always having to adjust the gain to compensate for the additional weight in the trailer. One thing I wish that Tekonsha had done was put hash marks or some kind of markings on the gain dial. They had it on the Sentenial but did not put it on the Prodigy. The marks just make it a little easier to see where the dial is at and what setting you are at. I guess if the weight of the trailer does not change at all you would not have to adjust the settings.

The problem that I had with the Prodigy was that it would "Grab" on me every once in a while. It would do it more often when I was coming down a hill to a complete stop. If the off ramp had some bumps in it, that would also make the brake grab.

As for the BrakeSmart, after I got the initial settings and calibration done, I have not touched any settings at all. I towed the trailer completely empty, and with about a half a load in the trailer, never did touch or change any settings. I have never had the brakes grab on me or lock up. So far I am a very happy and customer.

 

[Casey Balvert]

I am going for the Brakesmart as soon as the put incorporate the EGT and Boost monitors. Sounds like anyone that has one is happy with it.



Casey

 

[Boomer II]

How does the Jordan compare with these two?

 

[Ross]

BrakeSmart

I have a very large horse trailer (loaded weight of trailer + 22,000 lbs) equipped with elec-draulic disk brakes on both axles. I tried several brake controllers and none took full advantage of the stopping power offered by the disk brakes. I coughed up the $350. 00 at the trailer manufacturer's suggestion, and have been a happy cowboy ever since. This thing is awesome; seemless, smooth, reliable, consistant, even cool!) It has awesome features, too. My trailer will stop my truck, trailer brakes only, in very short order. I mean, this thing will throw you through the windshield when you activiate the manual/panick stop. When using normally, you hardly know the trailer is there. No push, no grab, no annoying "letting go" when you take your foot off the brake at a stop light.



I think there's none better, but I have not tried the Prodigy, so I can only compare it to Tekonsha, Kelsey Hayes, and one other cheaper (less than 150. 00) unit I can't remember the name of... .

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by Boomer II

How does the Jordan compare with these two?

My 2 cents' worth - the Jordan is better than the Prodigy but probably not quite as good as the BrakeSmart. YMMV



Rusty

 

[DFrank]

Sounds like the right product, but for the loads I pull it may be an unwarranted expense.

 

[jlasich]

I also like the BrakeSmart, but for the number of times that I tow anything, I think the price is a little bit much for me. Therefore, I'm going to go with a Jordan. The BrakeSmart sure is a great looking unit though.