Gimme a brake

[FASTERTHANU]

Well I just purchased 04. 5 3500 Laramie Sport DRW with 16k miles from another TDR member and am flying across the country to pick it up in a couple of weeks. I'd like to thank everyone on TDR for answering a multitude of questions that enabled me to select the proper truck!



My only immediate needs are a gooseneck hitch and some more brakes. We tow a 17,000 pound horse trailer and I will need a brake controller. I have used tekonsha in the past and only gripe is constantly adjusting the unit for in town and highway driving. I have done a search and see there are some others. Price is reaaly not a concern and I am open to suggestions and comments so fire away... .



Jake, Pac or BD? I currnetly have a BD on my 98. 5 and think the world of it. I've read the posts on the Jake and am starting to get scared away by the multiple pump failures. I also like the idea of an on board compressor for air bags as I will probably end up needing them but am waiting to get the trailer loaded on the new truck and check ride height. I'd like to hear other members comments and suggestions on these 3 brands, especially on the BD brake as I have not found many posts for 3rd gen.



Thx everyone!

 

[Buffalo]

The people with the Brakesmart & Jordan brake controllers seem to be extraordinarily happy with the way they work. I believe they do the "balancing", themselves, eliminating the need to adjust the controller.



Brakesmart was out of business, for awhile but, I understand they are back in business with a new manufacturer. Same design.



Check out the RV Towing & Hauling forum, here.



The new Pacbrake is supposed to be very efficient. Incorporates a similar design to the BD system, I've heard.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[JWChessell]

I read several threads on this forum and the RV-&-Towing forum concerning brake controllers and decided to go with the majority, who recommended the "Prodigy" by Tekonsha. I bought it in January through "Ray's Speed Shop" which is listed in the posts. Price was $116. 00, and I also purchased a "plug-and-play" wiring harness which plugged-in at both ends; cost of that was about $9. 50. Everything arrived in less than 5 days. Installation took about 3 minutes, including the dbl-sided tape. In February I completed a 2,700 mile round-trip tow with an 8,800 lb GVWR 2-axle cargo trailer; brakes on both axles. This was my first long-distance experience with a heavy trailer. There are two sets of mountains on Hwy 5 -- the California "Grapevine" between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, and the Siskiyou Mtns in no. California/so. Oregon -- both have several sets of 6% and 7% grades. I have an automatic transmission and do not have an exhaust brake. I was very pleased with the performance of the brake controller, and found it very easy to use and to manipulate to a higher setting when I felt I needed more aggressive braking.

 

[JRMora]

I have a Prodigy, and once it's set up, I don't need to mess with the gain at all.



I also have a PacBrake PRXB and love it. I don't know why I waited so long to get an exhaust brake.



My vote.



Juan

 

[klenger]

Is the transmission an auto or 6 speed. Makes a big difference.

 

[GWBourne]

i am very happy with my Jake and my Brakesmart. i pull 18 to 19k and have no problems stoping. also VERY happy with my B&W turnover ball goose hitch. never had a problem with any of them. the new brakesmart has some cool features as well. truck is in my sig.

 

[FASTERTHANU]

transmission is NV5600... . sorry for leaving that out! I'm right there with you on the B & W. Just like an exhaust brake I can't imagine ever having a another truck with anything less.

 

[FASTERTHANU]

GWB... what else does the brake smart do? I looked at their website and all they talked about was airbag operation which I have on my trailer but don't see a huge value in having the brake controller controlling the trailer airbags.

 

[BimmerAgent]

I have the Prodigy. It's basically "set it, and forget it. " Works great. Bruce

 

[GWBourne]

GWB... what else does the brake smart do? I looked at their website and all they talked about was airbag operation which I have on my trailer but don't see a huge value in having the brake controller controlling the trailer airbags.

the level of airbag control. not just the feature. as well as the fact the EGT readout works now. i am going to look into sending mine in to be upgraded. i dont have air bags on my trailer, but could use it to control the airbags on the truck instead. also you can apply the trailer brakes for loading and wahtnot. i cant do that on mine.

 

[FASTERTHANU]

does it come with a thermocouple as well or do you have to get it separate? That would definitely be worth the additional.



Has anybody used the BD brake on a G3? No one's chimed in yet...

 

[JanMitchell]

Juan, I also have a Cedar Creek and am going to have an exhaust brake installed on my '05 with the 6 speed. Where or who did the installation of the exhaust brake and where is your generator mounted on your 5th wheel? I'm going with the 3000 Honda which "should" start the A/C It will live in the bed of the truck because of the weight.

Thanks,

Stan

2005 CTD QC Brite White 6 speed dually

 

[Cattletrkr]

BD's brake is top of the line. The rest are pretenders. Go turbo mount if you don't plan on upgrading your turbo, otherwise go inline.



Prodigy is no good if you ever get elec-over-hyd. brakes.



Check out www.diersag.com if you want a good GN hitch. B+W is grotesquely overrated.

 

[FASTERTHANU]

That's different... I already ordered the B & W though so I'll have to check it out another time. I'm not sure about overated but I like seeing different designs. I kind of need to stick with B & W 'cause I make a pole that drops into them for high lining your horses back to your trailer and the parts all drop into the B & W. Thanks though, it's always good to see other stuff that is out there.



What is it that makes the BD a better brake in your opinion? Do they come with a compressor?

 

[Diesel Dually]

I liked the Prodigy so much when I bought it I put one in my old trck too. I heard many good things about the B&W, looked at one and bought it. Very nice unit, well built, absolutely no complaints...

 

[Cattletrkr]

B+W has sold a lot of hitches in MN, just as they have elsewhere. We've sold many hitches to guys who have seen their buddies B+W equipped truck suspended by a loader of some sort trying to bounce the truck to get the ball out. Those are the lucky ones, most of them can't move the pin/lever anymore. Once they rust in place you've got a $300-$400 turn-over ball that ain't a gonna turn over ever again. The Drop'n'Lock can be accessed from underneath so when it does rust up, and it will, you can get at it with a hammer and easily free it back up. Been there done that.



BD's brake does come with a compressor. Mounts quite nicely in the front pass. side fender well.

 

[JRMora]

Juan, I also have a Cedar Creek and am going to have an exhaust brake installed on my '05 with the 6 speed. Where or who did the installation of the exhaust brake and where is your generator mounted on your 5th wheel? I'm going with the 3000 Honda which "should" start the A/C It will live in the bed of the truck because of the weight.

Thanks,

Stan

2005 CTD QC Brite White 6 speed dually

Stan,



Bought the Pac from Pacific Brake and Clutch. TDR member Jelag got me hooked up (about $1000 - no shipping charge - and I got the remote tank, shifter switch, and a higher pressure switch so I can do my airbags on the trailer). I did the install myself (no help) in about 4 hours (taking my time as this was my first install). The compressor is engine mounted. Wiring is straightforward as well. I went with a shifter mounted switch. Pac's instructions were very good. You can download them off their website:



http://www.pacbrake.com/products.php?item=Exhaust_Brakes/Dodge_Turbo_Diesel/__Manuals.html



My Onan is mounted in front compartment. The trailer had the gen prep when delivered - my dealer installed the genset. They did have to take the gen box apart some to get it in the box. I don't know exactly what they took apart, but they got it in and back together. It's a 6500 watt genset, so it's probably bigger than your 3000. Which Creek ya got?



Juan

 

[RJOL]

..... Check out www.diersag.com if you want a good GN hitch. B+W is grotesquely overrated.

Just out of curiosity... what is so "grotesquely" overrated with the B&W hitch. It cost less (see: http://tandrtrailer.com/hitches ), it has about the same towing capability, it is a bolt-on application, and if you tow a 5th wheel you can buy the "Companion" hitch and mount it to the B&W.



There is probably several good options for towing, but to "dis" the B&W just because you have a different setup makes me think you have some kind of agenda.



Try this... Do a search, on this forum, for the B&W hitch and see if present owners have done a lot of complaining about it...