Is there *anything* like a Brakesmart available?

[JCleary]

I've been patiently waiting for a Brakesmart controller to be available, but I'm starting to become impatient.



I contacted them and they told me "maybe October, but not for sure. The date changes on a daily basis. "



Here's my dilemma:



I need to haul two cars with my car hauler. I have no brake controller, due to the fact that I'm waiting for the controller I want.



I'm now faced with either renting a trailer from U-Haul with surge brakes, or purchasing an alternate controller for the time being.



Is there any controller that works off brake line pressure other than the Brakesmart? Or do I just buy a Prodigy for the time being?

 

[nps]

Get a Jordan Ultima. Works off of proportional braking, but instead of tapping into the brake line, it attaches to the brake pedal.



My guess is that once you put it on you'll quit waiting for the Brakesmart.



Get it here for $110 delivered to your door.

 

[klenger]

Agreed, if you can't get the BrakeSmart, then the Jordan is the next best thing. I've had both.

 

[DaveK98]

I've got the prodigy and while I have no reference to any other brake controler I haven't had any issues. Just set it once and haven't had to touch it yet in 1k miles of towing my 10k 5th wheel.

 

[RustyJC]

The Prodigy is an inertial controller and, therefore, doesn't meet the initial poster's criteria of being "like a Brakesmart" which is a proportional controller. The Jordan Ultima 2020, which is a proportional controller, is as close as you can come to a Brakesmart.



Rusty

 

[DaveK98]

I'm no expert so I'll probably learn something... but



Prodigy's website says "Applies power to the trailer brakes in proportion to vehicle's deceleration. " Granted this isn't measured by the force one applys to the brake pedal but still it's not an "on or off". I can watch the output screen and depending on how hard I am braking the level goes up.



How is this method worse?



FYI: I did want to get the brakesmart but as with the above poster it was out of stock.

 

[RustyJC]

An inertial controller imputes the braking force required for the trailer by the truck's deceleration. A truly proportional controller applies the trailer brakes in direct proportion to the application of the truck's brakes.



Although the inertial controller sounds like it just adds one more step to the process, think about this. The amount of deceleration the truck produces may or may not have anything to do with what the driver is doing with the brake pedal. Think wet streets, snow, hydroplaning in the rain, etc. An inertial controller almost cost me a rig when I had to make a quick stop during a sudden thunderstorm - our previous truck locked up a right front wheel (sticking caliper) before it generated enough deceleration to bring on the trailer brakes. So, I had a truck under braking with a locked brake and no trailer brakes - instant jacknife had I not gotten off the brakes and steered (barely) around the situation.



To put it simply - a truly proportional controller like the Brakesmart or Jordan will produce trailer braking that's a direct function of what the driver is telling the truck brakes to do. The inertial controller will try to determine what the driver is doing based on the truck's deceleration, and then send a signal to the trailer brakes based on whatever settings that are dialed into the controller.



Rusty

 

[nps]

Rusty,



Good post of things that can go wrong. I want something that does what I tell it to do, not something that guesses what I'm trying to do. Now if I can only get rid of the APPS and VP and go back to a TPS and P7100.



Here's another scenario where an inertial controller might get confused. Say you are on an incline and the road is snow packed. If the trailer weight can pull (or push) the truck with the brakes applied, then nothing will stop you (can you imagine an uncontrolled backwards skid ). On the other hand, a proportional braking controller will be applying the trailer brakes to help hold you.



DaveK98,



RV dealers like to push the Prodigy because it is an easy install. Pop in a bracket and plug the wiring connector together under the dash. Nothing else to connect up to.



The Jordan and Brakesmart are a bit more involved to install because of the direct tie-in to the braking system. Well worth the extra effort IMO.



The Prodigy is a quality unit no doubt, and there is alot of them out there. Just not the best unit IMO - its #3 behind Brakesmart and Jordan.

 

[DaveK98]

Agree that the Brakesmart is superior, it's the same consept the Ford went with.



I mounted my prodigy right next to my stick and can "hopefully" manually apply some brake if I should need it.



Maybe when the Brakesmart is avalable I'll replace my prodigy, but havn't had any issues yet... .

 

[nps]

Dave,



Like I said in the first post - get a Jordan today and you'll quit waiting for a Brakesmart.

 

[Matt400]

Get a Jordan Ultima. Works off of proportional braking, but instead of tapping into the brake line, it attaches to the brake pedal.



My guess is that once you put it on you'll quit waiting for the Brakesmart.



Get it here for $110 delivered to your door.

Thanks for that link, I too have been waiting on a Brakesmart.

 

[JCleary]

Thanks for the link as well.



In our shop truck I have a Prodigy. It's ok, but I definitely want proportional braking in my personal truck.



Can the Jordan be mounted in the cubby below the 4wd and seat heater controls (to the right of the ash tray)? In the Jordan it recomends a "lazy S" turn for the cable from the brake to the controller. I really want a clean install. I definitely won't put it on the panel below the steering wheel where they recommend.



I don't know, I may have to buy the one I really want, whether I buy one from a TDR member or when the new ones are finally ready to ship.

 

[abdiver]

I too am waiting for a Brakesmart though if I find the right 24 ft travel trailer I will have to move on getting a controller



I spoke to Steve the owner of Brakesmart today via ph and he would not even give me a guesstamation of when it will be avalible.



Thanks for the 110 dollar site for the Jordan I may just have to go that way. Time will tell



Bill

 

[nps]

Can the Jordan be mounted in the cubby below the 4wd and seat heater controls (to the right of the ash tray)? In the Jordan it recomends a "lazy S" turn for the cable from the brake to the controller. I really want a clean install.

Shouldn't be a problem. Instructions say 18 inches - mainly because of how much cable it comes with. It's small enough to put in the ashtray. Look here for a picture of an ashtray mount.

 

[jwduke]

I have a Jordon Ultima, and love it. It is really easy to install. Check Ebay, I bought mine new, for $76 + ride.

 

[Robin]

I have used both the Brakesmart and the Jordan. The big advantage to the Jordan is that it can be set so the trailer brakes apply before the tow vehicle brakes. Or whenever you want them to apply. Also the rate of trailer brake application can be adjusted. Neither of these parameters can be adjusted in any other controller including the Brakesmart.



As with most controllers the Jordan uses pulse width modulation.

 

[jelag]

I don't know what kind of controller I have in my 00 F550, or my 04 3500 dually but I have the brakesmart in my 05 3500 and its at least 3 to 5 times better than the other ones... . I'd throw sometime in a truck and just wait... . from here out... its going to be the brake smart for me.....



I don't understand their problems... . I waited 3 or 4 months for my brakesmart as well... . It must be a hobby for this guy... I'd raise H*LL with my vendors if I had to wait for parts... let alone the number of guys who've waited for the EGT function that was promised and never came... . its a great product... but darn its tough dealing with them... .

 

[GFrance]

From what I understand Jim is that they were out sourcing the parts for the brake Smart to a co that did trailer axles & no longer wanted to take on being the parts source. Taking too much time away from their main buisness. So they are working on another source. I'm glad I got mine when I did. Absolutly love the way it works. Just like the brakes on my semi.

 

[RTuvell]

August 22, 2005 update on the Brakesmart website suggests a totally uncertain future:



"We do not have an exact availability date, so please do not put yourself in a bind by waiting for this product. "



http://www.brakesmart.net

 

[Dallass]

I went to the Jordan to look at the 2020, But it is recommended for electric brakes only and I have a electric-over-hydraulic (E/H) actuator for disk brakes on my 5th wheel.