BrakeSmart Controller

[Casey Balvert]

Just thought some might be interested in my impressions of the BrakeSmart controller:



For the last two years I have used the Prodigy controller and found it to be one of the best on the market. However, while it was the best of the decelerometer/pendulum type controllers, I found that it did not function equally well under all conditions. Recently I installed a BrakeSmart unit and gave it a test on a 300 mile vacation. The installation was straight forward and I simply followed the instructions after getting past a bit of paranoia over tapping into the brake hydraulics. Once installed I stuck with the default settings as recommended by TDR member Ken Lenger. As soon as I moved the trailer I noted the difference from my Prodigy. No grabbing, no nothing. On the interstate it was a smooth as silk. It was as though my 18,000 pound fiver was not even there. Totally transparent. I was simply amazed at the control that I had over the trailer brakes. Not to belittle the Prodigy, it was a great unit, but this BrakeSmart is light years ahead.



FWIW. Casey

 

[lawdog]

Thanks Casey,

I may just invest in one. My new G'neck is real grabby and I can't seem to get it right with my controller...

 

[Schicken bone]

does the camper have electric over hydrolic brakes? i have the prodigy but i am not sure if it will work with that type brake set up. thinking about getting a new camper that ways in at 16000 dry. it will have the electric/hydrolic brakes.

 

[OTRPU]

I'd rather switch than fight...

My Tekonsha Prodigy hadn't been in a month when I found out about BrakeSmart. Don't know if I'd switch cept I tow daily, and different trailers everytime. It cost 3. 5 times what I paid for my Prodigy. . . my book, it's 3. 5 times as good. Everybody should look at BrakeSmart, but anybody towing daily should take a serious look. JMHO



Cheers,

OTRPU

 

[lizzyhermit]

no new orders !

the BrakeSmart web site is back ordered and not accepting new orders as of now.

 

[Casey Balvert]

I did not order the hydraulic disc brakes on my trailer; however the BrakeSmart does work with them. As I stated, the Prodigy was a great controller, but the BrakeSmart is much better. I feel much more in control. And getting braking while reversing was a bit weird but pleasant surprise. The trailer braking is perfectly balanced to the truck's braking system. Given what I paid for the truck and trailer, the price of the BrakeSmart wasn't much of a factor in my decision, especially after hearing from other BrakeSmart owners. The demand for the BrakeSmart is apparently exceeding the supply; certainly no suprise after using mine. Hopefully he will be shipping again soon.

 

[sarj]

I did the same research. I went with the Prodigy for right now... 1) cuz I got it free, & 2) when Brake Smart incorporates the EGT feature into their controller, it'll be a no brainer. I'll upgrade then. They e-mailed a response when I asked about a target delivery date, and they said they didn't have it yet.



sarj

 

[SandyHelton]

I received mine last week after a few weeks delay and it installed without any problems. A bit too smooth - it had me worried... Yesterday I towed with the truck for its first time (and mine with anything big) and everything worked just fine. I have never used a brake controller when towing, but all my past towing has been pretty small stuff, so I didn't know what to expect. But after reading about what others had to say about this device, I bit the bullet and paid the price. So far I'd say it was a good investment.

 

[EB]

I put the BrakeSmart in my truck at about 15,000 miles. I now have nearly 160,000 miles on the truck and have had no problems at all. Like I've been saying for a long time now and more and more people are finding out, the BrakeSmart really can't be believed until you try it. I pull a trailer every day and probably 95% of the miles on my truck are with the trailer hooked up and the BrakeSmart working. Like the man that sold me mine said, if you ever put it on, you will never take it off.

 

[klenger]

Brakesmart has been promissing EGT/Boost for almost a year now. Whenever you ask for a date, all you get is "soon". Personally, I don't even think they are working on it. How hard can it be?

 

[jelag]

Thanks for the insight... . I've changed the brakes on a service trailer from electric to power disc's to help increase their ability to function and they work great... . but have wondered about the brake smart controller... I've got a new 05 on order. . actually its in town... just not in my hands yet.....



I'll order the controller now... . for the new truck... . BTW my trailer is always between 18 and 22K and my 04 handles it fine... ... but that truck now has 83K miles...



Jim

 

[Casey Balvert]

Brakesmart has been promissing EGT/Boost for almost a year now. Whenever you ask for a date, all you get is "soon". Personally, I don't even think they are working on it. How hard can it be?

I was originally interested in the EGT/Boost feature as well but since those are things I like to monitor frequently when towing I think I am better of with the combo gauge in the SRT-10 pillar mount. Since it is close to my line of sight when driving, I can monitor it more easily. With the controller installed on the knee bolster, it would be difficult to monitor although the alarm function would be nice to have.



After getting some more experience with this unit over the weekend, there is no doubt that it is the best controller currently available, especially in stop and go traffic. Very smooth.



Casey

 

[jelag]

Well... I had a couple of questions for the guys at Brake Smart..... I called twice... left messages, each time I got a message machine during business hours... . left my 800 number so he could call me back... . now several days later... no return call... .



I did place an order for one of these controllers... . I felt that over 100 bucks for a wiring harness was a little high... ... tired to sort out on their web page if I could build my own... using the factory supplied harness... ... couldn't tell... .



But what really worried me... ... is the statement on the web page is that some of the parts required were on back order... and I wanted to see how long I was going to have to wait... .



Can you share with me if this guy returns calls... ... I was surprised that during business hours a machine picked up the phone... . we always answer our phone from 1/2 before we open to 1/2 hour after we close for those customers who can't read the clock... .



Jim

 

[Matt400]

Can you share with me if this guy returns calls... ...

Hi Jim,

I sent them an email a few months back inquiring about the EGT/Boost module, it took a few days but I did get a reply... just no date.

I didn't try calling them.



From what everyone has to say about the unit I would bet this is a company going through growing pains as they get overwhelmed with orders they can't fill due to parts supply. They no doubt "source out" components for its assembly.

 

[klenger]

The wiring harness includes the pressure sensor, so the $100 price tag isn't all that bad. I think I head that Ford is installing the BrakeSmart controller (or some version of it) with their towing packages. This might account for the backorders.

 

[sarj]

I did the e-mail thing too... no call



Reply on the 3rd day.



sarj