First tow with new trailer and Prodigy controller

[paccool]

Went on a short shake down trip this weekend with the new trailer. I installed a new Prodigy controller and was impressed with the performance. My old controller was a Kelsey-Hayes electronic controller that was very "jerky" when the brakes were applied. This one was very smooth and when I got in some hills and curves, I put the boost up to #2 and it applied much more braking force to the trailer. I like the #1 boost setting for general driving. Trailer weight was around 6500#



I have not had one of the electronic/hydraulic setups so I can't compare to those but against my old controller, the Prodigy is a much better unit.

 

[rfcom]

Good to hear

I'm picking up our new trailer tomorrow and will have the Prodigy controller installed. It will weigh around the same as yours. I've never towed before, but I did a lot of research and decided the Prodigy was the best unit to get. Glad to hear it turned out well for you.



Jim

 

[Photoman]

I, too, had a a Kelsey controller. Installed a Prodigy when I purchased my 28' Cougar Fiver. (9,000k loaded). Wow, what a difference. Very smooth compared to the Kelsey and I am not having to adjust it continually. The Prodigy is reasonably priced and a snap to install with the wiring harness included with my '03. My trips down the mountain are much more more relaxed.

 

[tazzen]

paccool



hey what made you put that on boost 2? i had just used mine for the first time a couple weeks ago and i had it on 8 @ b1 and when i hit the downhills i ended up with the service brakes on my truck a little smelly. nothing bad so i turned it up to 11@ b1 but by that time i was out of the hills. but normal driving little hills and flats 8@ b1 seemed to run smooth. should i try b2 on bigger hills and hilly areas.



ed

 

[paccool]

Well, I'm still learning the controller but I set it at 6 like the book said first thing. The braking was real smooth and was a little slow to come on. I was on a real curvy stretch of road on the northern Calif coast line with tight curves and lots of up and downs. When coming into a curve I needed more braking from the trailer so it didn't try to push me into the corner. Rather than turn up the base number on the controller I played with the boost numbers. #1 was good most of the time but when I hit a couple of sections #2 worked better. The numbers never did get above about 5 but I never really hit the brakes hard. For me, I think boost 1 will be the best setting. Will use boost 2 when on the type of road I was on above.



Having said this, should I turn up the base number and leave the boost off?

 

[zari]

I think...

the setting on "6" is just a 'to start out with' setting. Set it there, on a dry, straight and level road, get up to 20-25mph (once your brakes are hot), and fully apply the trailer brakes only (via the lever on the prodigy). If the wheels don't block on the trailer, up the setting to 7, etc. Continue until the wheels just don't block on the trailer (after I found this 'just not blocking' setting, I backed off another 0. 2 -0. 3). Now you have set your brakes.



In the documentation that came with your prodigy, they give you guidelines regarding where to set the 'boost'. I don't have mine with me, so I cannot give you details, but my Montana is set on . b2, and it works quite well. I had it on . b3, but thought that was a little to harsh for my set-up. Hope this helps.



Alain.

 

[Neibe]

The setting will also depend on how much your trailer weighs and how good the trailer brakes are adjusted I to have a prodigy. Got it for under 100 dollars from camping world.

 

[Dean Upson]

I love my Prodigy . I set it on 7 and use boost 2 most of the time, I normally use boost 1 in city traffic when going slow. My trailer weighs about 15K fully loaded. The improved service brakes on the G3's make a huge difference as well.



Dean

 

[tschwab]

I also just had the Prodigy put in and what a difference! I love it. My 5vr weighs in about 8500 dry and I run the Prodigy on boost level #2. Refer back to your user guide and it gives the different weight ranges for the boost setting.