Now to add a brake controller.....which one?

[sheamc]

After some research here I see that everyone's favorite is the max brake......which doesn't exist any longer for purchase. What is an acceptable choice. I understand that there are differences in actuation and such, just looking for the best option. I have a 21' dual axle tilt trailer, a dual axle boat trailer and a dump trailer that all have electric brakes and I get tired of using my dad's truck.

Shea

 

[p-Bar]

Their is one made that plugs into the OBDII port and senses MPH that would be second best to maxbrake . Here is the link

http://www.brakecontroller.com/direclink.htm

 

[Mingoglia]

That's kinda cool. Guess I've been out of the towing technology loop for awhile. I put my Prodigy controller in my 2nd gen in ~2002 and have been using it ever since without seeing what's currently on the market.

 

[SnoKing]

Fine a Maxbrake from someone that bought a new truck!!!!!!!!! Snoking

 

[rancherman]

Tekonsha P3 'here'

Preset your different trailers in, has diagnostics, and comes as plug and play. ~120 bucks

 

[Cummins12V98]

fine a maxbrake from someone that bought a new truck!!!!!!!!! Snoking

hmmmmmmmmm

 

[AH64ID]

P2 or P3 from Prodigy are pretty great controllers.

I have used P2 and MaxBrake and the difference isn't that drastic, but the MaxBrake is a little better.

 

[p-Bar]

What does the P2 use for reference? Strictly an acceleramator?

 

[AH64ID]

As far as I know both the P2 and P3 are accelerometer only.

Mine always worked smooth and effective.

 

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO P-2 is a POS compared to MaxBrake.

 

[p-Bar]

IMHO P-2 is a POS compared to MaxBrake.

That's what I was thinking. Sorry john

 

[Larry Willard]

IMHO P-2 is a POS compared to MaxBrake.

My thoughts exactly. The MaxBrake is the best controller I have used in over 25 years of towing. The new factory controller is a close second.
Larry

 

[sheamc]

I honestly couldn't tell you what my dad has in his truck, but it works. I really appreciate all the input. I have over 200k on the odometer and keep adding parts/fixing it up. Thanks for all the info and it's appreciated.

Shea

 

[AH64ID]

IMHO P-2 is a POS compared to MaxBrake.

Dunno... Maybe my maxbrake doesn't work like yours, or maybe your P2 didn't work right??

There just wasn't that much of a difference, and the max brake takes a lot more tweaking for road conditions/loads.

Don't get me wrong I like the maxbrake better, it just doesn't make the P2 look like a POS... Not even close.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My thoughts exactly. The MaxBrake is the best controller I have used in over 25 years of towing. The new factory controller is a close second.
Larry

I'm a hoping the factory controller is a close second! Not selling my MaxBrake until I give the new 15 on order a try.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Dunno... Maybe my maxbrake doesn't work like yours, or maybe your P2 didn't work right??

There just wasn't that much of a difference, and the max brake takes a lot more tweaking for road conditions/loads.

Don't get me wrong I like the maxbrake better, it just doesn't make the P2 look like a POS... Not even close.

If your MaxBrake is working properly when towing it will feel like you are not towing! Never feel the brakes come on the trailer after applying the TV brakes.

I would say something is not correct on your MaxBrake. Have you gone thru the setup procedure? Is it set for electric or electric over hydraulic?

 

[crispyboy]

I once had a Prodigy P2..... I wouldn't even recommend it as a paperweight!!! even when it was new it just never seemed to send much power to the brakes.
I have a Maxbrake - night/day difference between the two.
I have used a 2012 Dodge with a factory controller - it is second in line after the Maxbrake and would have no trouble using it.
A friend of mine has an F150 with the Direclink controller and the disk brake system on this travel trailer and he says it's the best he has ever had. They are on the road for months at a time.

 

[bigceltic]

Tekonsha P3 'here'

Preset your different trailers in, has diagnostics, and comes as plug and play. ~120 bucks

x2

I switched to the P3 after a few years with another brake controller and couldn't be happier. When I switched from a pop up to a 35' TT all I had to do was change the trailer type in the display and was good to go. Plug and play.

 

[AH64ID]

If your MaxBrake is working properly when towing it will feel like you are not towing! Never feel the brakes come on the trailer after applying the TV brakes.

I would say something is not correct on your MaxBrake. Have you gone thru the setup procedure? Is it set for electric or electric over hydraulic?

It's setup per the instruction, and operates as you say it should... it just that the P2 did about the same as well. The P2 had smooth engagement, and would brake quite well.

When my MaxBrake quits working, hopefully a long time, I will have no issues going back to a P2 or P3 but I am not planning on ditching the MaxBrake anytime soon.

There is one feature I really liked on the P2 that is gone with the MaxBrake, and that is use in conjunction with the exhaust brake. The P2 would sense the deceleration from the exhaust brake and apply additional braking to the trailer, the MaxBrake doesn't so it requires more TV braking to get the same deceleration as the P2 with the exhaust brake on.

A lot of the reviews I have read of the MaxBrake vs other brakes are from folks that switched years and years ago from time delay units, and one cannot compare the P2/P3 to time delay controllers.

 

[Mingoglia]

I run a Prodigy, but assume it's a P1 as I got it ~2002. It does fine for my 12k trailer. I'd imagine these new fancy brake controllers are even better, and once you "upgrade" most wouldn't want to go back.... just as I'm sure these P2's and P3's are likely better than mine. I can say the Prodigy was leaps and bounds better than previous Tekonsha controllers I've had. I guess the point is I don't think it's crap and has never let me down after all these years.