maxbrake

[Dutch & Di]

Yes, Ma'am:

It's just me. Been anal forever, can't help myself. I wasn't even aware of being "that way" on this. You know how it is on these forums, make a tiny error and someone jumps in with both feet. I was only concerned about the width. Thanks

No problem, I should have been a little more sure of my dimensions before posting. Diana

 

[Dutch & Di]

Well, of course you may.



The kit I received had 4 different tee's. It just took some trial and error. My front line was very hard to break loose, so much so that it was rounding the edges. So, I tried the rear one and, viola, it came loose pretty easily. Then I found out none of the 4 tee's would fit the rear. Not until I called Maxbrake did I realize the the front line was a different size and I had to use it. So out came the vise grips and all is well. The front line came out and everything went smoothly from there on. I am by no means trying to down the product, just letting the next guy or gal with a 2003 Ram know that the front is the one to use.



I will use the controller the first time this coming weekend. I'm looking forward to feeling the difference.

I understand your dilemma. I try really hard to include only 1 tee to help avoid just such situations. I've been pretty lucky and the most I've had to send is 2. Vice grips: The best accessory to have when working on well, anything!!



I'm sure there was no "downing, the product" intent and I didn't take it that way.



Any input from users that helps a fellow truck owner out can only be a good thing. I'm sure others will appreciate learning from your experience. Diana

 

[BIGNASTY]

Please video document your methods... ! Oh and Post here with copies of the medical reports . . . Oo. Oo.

Oh come on we need no stinking controller. If the wife is in the truck we have dual brake controllers it just pulls a little to my side her foot is not as big as mine

 

[JLitton]

Just got back from the maiden voyage with the Maxbrake. It is really unbelievable how much better my truck stops now. It was immediately noticeable the first time I touched the brakes. WOW. Oo. Oo. And to think I used that $60 Reese controller I bought 10 years ago all this time when there was something like the Maxbrake available. Almost makes me feel dumb.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Just got back from the maiden voyage with the Maxbrake. It is really unbelievable how much better my truck stops now. It was immediately noticeable the first time I touched the brakes. WOW. Oo. Oo. And to think I used that $60 Reese controller I bought 10 years ago all this time when there was something like the Maxbrake available. Almost makes me feel dumb.

Awww, don't be tooo hard on yourself. We all, well I think it is all of us, felt the same say after using our MaxBrake for the 1st time too! Diana

 

[Slow Six]

I finally got to use my Max Brake. WOW!!! We hauled our old fiver with conventional electric brakes to get our new fiver with electric over hydraulic disk brakes. The controller performed exactly as advertised and as reported by others on this site. I did not have to change any settings between the two trailers. I have no complaints about my old Prodigy as it worked pretty good for a lot of years but it is no where near the controller that a MaX Brake is. If there is any lag time on our new trailer it is very hard to detect. The Max Brake truely delivers value for the dollar.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Well, I haven't tried towing yet, but I have moved it twice. Where are you guys mounting this thing? I have it on the right of the center panel where my last one was. I keep hitting it with my leg. The first move was because I hit the manuel brake lever while moving to the brake (not good when towing). Now, I just hit the damn thing with my shin. I'm about to use double stick tape and lose that flimsy mounting bracket. I'm not a runt (5'7") but need to use the clutch, so moving the seat back won't get it.

 

[Wertles]

I did get my first tow with it last week taking the snowmobiles to the shop to have a little maintenance done on them for the summer and as everyone has stated, wow, what a difference. Never again will the prodigy come out. Except when I sell the truck. I do agree that this unit is large and finding a good spot to mount it is more of a challenge than with other units. I have mine to the right also and I am able to have my seat back a little further than you (6'2") and I haven't hit... yet. I am going to try some industrial strength velcro to see if that will move it a little more out of the way.

I would love to see an updated model that is smaller and has a little nicer mounting system. I do have to say that I was a little dissapointed in the looks of the unit when the box arrived but the moment I hooked up, I really didn't care anymore.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Well, I haven't tried towing yet, but I have moved it twice. Where are you guys mounting this thing? I have it on the right of the center panel where my last one was. I keep hitting it with my leg. The first move was because I hit the manuel brake lever while moving to the brake (not good when towing). Now, I just hit the damn thing with my shin. I'm about to use double stick tape and lose that flimsy mounting bracket. I'm not a runt (5'7") but need to use the clutch, so moving the seat back won't get it.

We mount ours on the Right side of the steering column for 2 reasons. 1st, you won't hit it with your leg when entering and leaving the truck. 2nd, we have it there for safety. If the driver should be in trouble, the passenger can push the manual slide lever to get the truck and 5th wheel/TT slowing down or stopped. This will hopefully allow the steering wheel to be grabbed to get the vehicle safely off the road or at least with minimal damage. Some passengers could manage both at the same time but I'm left handed:-laf.

Dutch shortened our mounting bracket so the controller "sits" much closer to the mountain area. I think it makes it look better too. Diana

 

[Blu-meanie]

Wertles: "I would love to see an updated model that is smaller and has a little nicer mounting system. I do have to say that I was a little disappointed in the looks of the unit when the box arrived but the moment I hooked up, I really didn't care anymore. "



Me too. I e-mailed the company expressing my disappointment in the looks, mounting, and that cable with the extra connector. Fortunately, the cable had a crappy splice and it failed whenever I moved it. They sent me another, but I repaired and re-wired the bad cable without the useless parts. Never did hear from them regarding my remarks about what I thought of their overall product looks, size, and crap mount. If it ever quits raining, I will give it a spin, after I move it again.

 

[Dutch & Di]

I did get my first tow with it last week taking the snowmobiles to the shop to have a little maintenance done on them for the summer and as everyone has stated, wow, what a difference. Never again will the prodigy come out. Except when I sell the truck. I do agree that this unit is large and finding a good spot to mount it is more of a challenge than with other units. I have mine to the right also and I am able to have my seat back a little further than you (6'2") and I haven't hit... yet. I am going to try some industrial strength velcro to see if that will move it a little more out of the way.

I would love to see an updated model that is smaller and has a little nicer mounting system. I do have to say that I was a little dissapointed in the looks of the unit when the box arrived but the moment I hooked up, I really didn't care anymore.

Just an FYI. We tried that 1st and it worked pretty good until we were in quite warm weather. We came out of the mall and there was our Max Brake dangling from the one end of the sticky back of the Velcro that was still holding. The Velcro was still holding. That's when we shortened the bracket which works much better for us. Not saying Velcro won't work for you just wanted to share our experience with Velcro. Diana

 

[Wertles]

I thought better of the velcro idea yesterday. I figured that in an emergency manual activation, I wanted a little more reliability than the velcro. I took your advice and drilled two holes above the origionals and now it's nicely tucked up to the dash.

 

[THoltz]

After reading many posts about the maxbrake I ordered one from Southwest Wheel, it was delivered 2 days later. After removal of the old Tekonsha controller, the max brake install took about an hour. I had a little bit of trouble bleeding the air from the sensing line, but finally got a good vent and purged out the air. The calibration worked exactly as the instructions said. I was a little nervous about a hydraulic leak but I checked several times at all the new fittings and everything is good, no leaks, no fluid. I hooked up the rig and went for a test tow. Everything that everyone says about how well it work is true, at least for my 30 minute test tow. I am using the recommended gain setting and it is like my foot is controlling the truck brake pedal as well as a brake pedal in the trailer. I am very pleased with the braking improvement. The old controler has found a new home, in the trash can.

 

[DennyDay]

After reading many posts about the maxbrake I ordered one from Southwest Wheel, it was delivered 2 days later. After removal of the old Tekonsha controller, the max brake install took about an hour. I had a little bit of trouble bleeding the air from the sensing line, but finally got a good vent and purged out the air. The calibration worked exactly as the instructions said. I was a little nervous about a hydraulic leak but I checked several times at all the new fittings and everything is good, no leaks, no fluid. I hooked up the rig and went for a test tow. Everything that everyone says about how well it work is true, at least for my 30 minute test tow. I am using the recommended gain setting and it is like my foot is controlling the truck brake pedal as well as a brake pedal in the trailer. I am very pleased with the braking improvement. The old controler has found a new home, in the trash can.

I could say "I TOLD YOU SO" But I won't. Welcome to the best brake controller available since the old Kelsey-Hayes - - Bar none. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[HBarlow]

Congratulations. You have now joined the ranks of the believers.

As you and the rest of us know, there is no comparison between trailer braking performance of the Brake Smart and MaxBrake and any other brake controller except, as Denny stated, the old Kelsey-Hayes of the '50s and '60s.