Prodigy P3

[MSicotte]

I bought this trailer brake controller after reading how well it works, and how adjustable it is. I must say, its adjustable, but I am really not happy with how it works. I tow a 10000 lb travel trailer and I can never get it set for all driving situations. To get enough grab at higher speeds, its locks up at slow speeds. If you set it so it doesn't lock up at low speeds, you get very little higher speed braking. For the price of the dumb thing and the reviews I read, I'm not very happy. Anyone else have any other experiences with this controller? Maybe its just the operator... ... ... ... ..... appreciate any input, thanks all.

 

[MrLuckey]

Did you go through the auto-tuning while hooked up to the trailer? I haven't had a single issue and love mine.

 

[HBarlow]

You are experiencing exactly what most users experience with inertia-based controllers. They are, unfortunately, a cheap substitute for a brake controller.

Buy a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake and be satisfied and safe. Yes, they cost more money but they work and you'll never again experience all the problems you described.

 

[EZeis]

I hate my P3 too. It almost never brakes the way I want or expect it to. Every stop you make it's like a guessing game Are you going to have brakes or are you going to yank the hitch out of the bed?? I bought my P-3 for my 3rd gen truck figured it was easier and faster to install it than my brakesmart from my 1st gen truck. So I need to get off my lazy butt and install the brakesmart in my 3rd gen.



Auto tuning??? My P3 has no such thing or anything mention in the owners manual of this. Something on the newer models? I bought mine 3 years ago.



Earl

 

[MSicotte]

I rechecked the manual on mine too, no "auto" feature on it either. I've been thinking of a Maxbrake as well... ... .....

 

[TradedV-10foraCummins]

... To get enough grab at higher speeds, its locks up at slow speeds. If you set it so it doesn't lock up at low speeds, you get very little higher speed braking. ...

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I find myself constantly adjusting mine. One minute I'm barely able to stop, and the next minute I'm locking the trailer tires up. The MaxBrake looks like the way to go to me.

 

[Grizzly]

You'd be a lot happier with a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake.

 

[BIGNASTY]

MaxBrake

You are experiencing exactly what most users experience with inertia-based controllers. They are, unfortunately, a cheap substitute for a brake controller.



Buy a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake and be satisfied and safe. Yes, they cost more money but they work and you'll never again experience all the problems you described.

I have to agree with Harvey talked with him about the controller you and I both had. I went to the MaxBrake and Im very happy about it. I was going to go with disc brake conversion on trailer after MaxBrake install I dont need it

 

[MLee]

Do you guys run the P3 flat and level? Have you tried to elevate it, tip it upwards? 70* is max, some times this helps. I have a p2 and this is what the tech at teconchia said to try.

 

[HBarlow]

I experienced all those problems with an older Tekonsha "voyager", I think was the name. At the time, back in the '90s, I was towing a 9,500# triple axle Airstream with a '94 Furd F-250HD.

It was impossible to adjust that worthless piece of crap to make reliable controlled stops. As described above I adjusted and adjusted the junk until I wore the knobs out and it was still unreliable. Sometimes it would lock the trailer brakes and jerk my head forward, othertimes I slid into intersections against a red light with my right foot mashed to the floor and white knuckles on the wheel.

If I applied the brakes while crossing a railroad track or other similar rough road surface the useless device would cause uncontrolled lurching. Backing it applied no braking whatsoever.

I contacted Tekonsha and they authorized a local RV dealer to give me a replacement. The new replacement was no better, identical problems. I called Tekonsha again and they advised me to run a large gauge ground wire direct from battery negative post/chassis ground to the controller. I did. No improvement.

The problem is in the design. The inertia-activated controller requires the tow vehicle to create negative acceleration immediately upon initial brake application in order to swing the pendulum and initiate trailer braking. A typical tow vehicle lacks the braking capability to create deceleration with truck brakes alone with a heavy trailer behind. Sure, if you are towing a 5,000# cargo trailer with a Dodge Ram with four wheel disc brakes an inertia-activated controller can pretend to apply good trailer braking. In truth the truck is providing most of the braking. It won't work with a heavy fiver in tow.

Back in the '90s when I determined the second Tekonsha controller would/could not provide safe braking I found a new-in-the-box original old-fashioned Kelsey-Hayes hydraulic over electric controller on the shelf in an old RV dealer. It was identical to the early brake controllers used in the late '50s through the '60s until ABS brakes and lawyers killed them. I was told I could not install and use one on my '94 Furd with front disc brakes and ABS. I ignored the advice and installed it anyway. It worked perfectly and for the first time I had smooth, modulated, safe trailer brakes. I used it for a couple of years.

When I bought my '01 Dodge 3500 HO/six speed I transferred the Kelsey-Hayes controller to the Ram. My Ram had four wheel discs and ABS. The hydraulic line pressure in the Dodge four wheel disc brake system was apparently much higher than that of the Furd with two wheel disc brakes. When I applied the truck brakes the extreme hydraulic line pressure was so severe it snapped the mechanical rheostat in the KH brake controller around so hard and fast it was tearing the device apart. I was forced to remove it. Shortly after that I discovered and purchased a BrakeSmart. I'm still using the same BrakeSmart controller almost 600,000 miles later in the third Dodge Ram.

My free unsolicited advice: Store your Tekonsha/brand b/brand c inertia-activated brake controller in a dumpster and purchase a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake. Once you experience the difference you'll thank me.

 

[MGreer]

Does anybody have a good link/price for the brakesmart? I've found the maxbrake for about 350 bucks.

 

[ewcmr2]

My P3 works fine. More brake pedal pressure equals more voltage sent to the trailer, less equals less. Sometimes with a quick release of the pedal I can feel the trailer dragging on the truck but I think thats a mechanical trailer drum brake issue. I haven't adjusted it since I put it in 2-3 years ago (except when I've borrowed a small open trailer)

 

[HBarlow]

My P3 works fine. More brake pedal pressure equals more voltage sent to the trailer, less equals less. Sometimes with a quick release of the pedal I can feel the trailer dragging on the truck but I think thats a mechanical trailer drum brake issue. I haven't adjusted it since I put it in 2-3 years ago (except when I've borrowed a small open trailer)

An inertia-activated controller has no way to sense brake pedal pressure. If the tow vehicle is capable of slowing the trailer (creating deceleration) without trailer braking the tow vehicle's brakes will swing the pendulum and initiate trailer braking.

 

[HBarlow]

Does anybody have a good link/price for the brakesmart? I've found the maxbrake for about 350 bucks.

Brake Smart At Dr. Performance

Others have posted info about trying to buy one from Dr. Performance and learning that none were available. Apparently Dr. Performance doesn't have or doesn't choose to invest the resources necessary to produce the finest trailer brake controller ever designed and manufactured.

If you could find one on eBay or for sale from a private individual you would be very fortunate. A MaxBrake is functionally the same device and should work equally as well.

 

[Garlic]

I have a P3 and have no problems switching from one trailer to another and not having to reset it. Mine sets about 10* up. I go from 3,000 lbs to 11,000 lbs on the same setting, I did crank it up some for the 18,000 lb trailer last spring. I also switch the unit between trucks with no issues. JMHO.

 

[ewcmr2]

An inertia-activated controller has no way to sense brake pedal pressure.

Correct, neither does the Maxbrake/Brakesmart, your point?

If the tow vehicle is capable of slowing the trailer (creating deceleration) without trailer braking the tow vehicle's brakes will swing the pendulum and initiate trailer braking.

If a tow vehicle isn't capable of slowing the trailer it shouldn't be on the road! (with or without a trailer)

 

[HBarlow]

An inertia-activated controller has no way to sense brake pedal pressure.
Correct, neither does the Maxbrake/Brakesmart, your point?
If the tow vehicle is capable of slowing the trailer (creating deceleration) without trailer braking the tow vehicle's brakes will swing the pendulum and initiate trailer braking.
If a tow vehicle isn't capable of slowing the trailer it shouldn't be on the road! (with or without a trailer)

You have a lot of learning to do. The BrakeSmart and MaxBrake DO sense hydraulic line pressure directly. Both of them use a small pressure sensor (transducer) which is inserted in the brake line directly off the master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed the sensor senses hydraulic line pressure and produces a proportionate electrical signal to a mini-computer which amplifies the tiny microvolt signal and produces brake output.

I stand by my original statement. A Dodge Ram is NOT capable of stopping a heavy fifth wheel trailer without trailer brakes in a reasonable distance and certainly not capable of making a panic stop. The most you can hope for is a long delayed stop over excessive distance.

People who have never used a real brake controller, a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake, often defend the useless inertia-activated controllers. Anyone who has used both knows better.

You are certainly free to use a Tekonsha if you like it. I wouldn't use one for a paper weight.

 

[ewcmr2]

You have a lot of learning to do. We all do, may I suggest hookedonphonics.com ? The BrakeSmart and MaxBrake DO sense hydraulic line pressure directly. Duh, Re-read this thread and you'll see we were talking about pedal pressure. Both of them use a small pressure sensor (transducer) which is inserted in the brake line directly off the master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed the sensor senses hydraulic line pressure and produces a proportionate electrical signal to a mini-computer which amplifies the tiny microvolt signal and produces brake output. Hmm, guess I do have something to learn. I thought all electric brake controllers used battery power to activate electric trailer brakes. I had no idea Maxbrake/Brakesmart produced there own power and then mini-computer amplified it to operate trailer brakes.



I stand by my original statement. A Dodge Ram is NOT capable of stopping a heavy fifth wheel trailer without trailer brakes in a reasonable distance and certainly not capable of making a panic stop. The most you can hope for is a long delayed stop over excessive distance. Your original statement or this new one? Your original statement: The problem is in the design. The inertia-activated controller requires the tow vehicle to create negative acceleration immediately upon initial brake application in order to swing the pendulum and initiate trailer braking. A typical tow vehicle lacks the braking capability to create deceleration with truck brakes alone with a heavy trailer behind. I agree with you revised statement but your original just brings us back to if your truck isnt capable of slowing your trailer it shouldn't be on the road. Are you a politician? saying two different things and hoping the press doesn't call you on it.



People who have never used a real brake controller, a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake, often defend the useless inertia-activated controllers. Anyone who has used both knows better. I wasn't defending the P3, I was answering the OP's question, telling him My P3 works fine. Maybe you're a litte sensative knowing you paid 3x the money for a controller that is just slightly better than the rest of them...



Me blue

Hbarlow black

HBarlow quote from previous post green

 

[HBarlow]

Cute and clever in your own mind I guess.

 

[RVTRKN]

You have a lot of learning to do. We all do, may I suggest hookedonphonics.com ? The BrakeSmart and MaxBrake DO sense hydraulic line pressure directly. Duh, Re-read this thread and you'll see we were talking about pedal pressure. Both of them use a small pressure sensor (transducer) which is inserted in the brake line directly off the master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed the sensor senses hydraulic line pressure and produces a proportionate electrical signal to a mini-computer which amplifies the tiny microvolt signal and produces brake output. Hmm, guess I do have something to learn. I thought all electric brake controllers used battery power to activate electric trailer brakes. I had no idea Maxbrake/Brakesmart produced there own power and then mini-computer amplified it to operate trailer brakes.



I stand by my original statement. A Dodge Ram is NOT capable of stopping a heavy fifth wheel trailer without trailer brakes in a reasonable distance and certainly not capable of making a panic stop. The most you can hope for is a long delayed stop over excessive distance. Your original statement or this new one? Your original statement: The problem is in the design. The inertia-activated controller requires the tow vehicle to create negative acceleration immediately upon initial brake application in order to swing the pendulum and initiate trailer braking. A typical tow vehicle lacks the braking capability to create deceleration with truck brakes alone with a heavy trailer behind. I agree with you revised statement but your original just brings us back to if your truck isnt capable of slowing your trailer it shouldn't be on the road. Are you a politician? saying two different things and hoping the press doesn't call you on it.



People who have never used a real brake controller, a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake, often defend the useless inertia-activated controllers. Anyone who has used both knows better. I wasn't defending the P3, I was answering the OP's question, telling him My P3 works fine. Maybe you're a litte sensative knowing you paid 3x the money for a controller that is just slightly better than the rest of them...



Me blue

Hbarlow black

HBarlow quote from previous post green

Check my signature, my 04. 5 runs the Prodigy and my C&C runs the Brakesmart controller. The Brakesmart is by far a better performer, but the Prodigy is adequate and with an initial adjustment of how heavy I'm towing works just fine. If I have to replace the Prodigy, it will be replaced with the Maxbrake due to cost and availability.