Which Controller

[MLevenson]

Ok I have it narrowed down to either the Prodegy or the Jordan and will be getting one of them today as I pick up my new truck Thursday. Which is easier to setup and install. I don't tow often only about 7-10 times a year and only tow a 5K lb trailer but if I'm goign to get one might as well get the right one.

 

[RustyJC]

Which is easier to setup and install? The Prodigy.



Which is superior by design and performance? The Jordan.



Happy towing!



Rusty

 

[nps]

Ditto what Rusty said. So does 'easy to install' make it the 'right one'?

 

[jkalchik]

I've got a Prodigy in my 99 CTD. I've towed a friend of mine's Jeep (trailered around 9,000 lbs. ) twice across country.



My Dad & brother both have Prodigy controllers in their pickups. Dad's tows a 28' dually tandem gooseneck hauling cherries in the summer.



All 3 rigs have no issues at all with the Prodigy, it works well. Even with the semi-wet load behind Dad's rig, it's been a very effective controller.



In a recent model truck, a Prodigy should be a 5 minute install. 2 screws to mount the bracket, plug the controller in. Done.



Technically, the Jordan should be a superior controller as it it does measure pedal travel rather than using an inertial sensor. I can see how that'd be desirable under slick conditions. I can't speak to installation, though. From what I've seen and read, getting the cable rigged to the pedal can be a sensitive operation. If you can do that, and do some simple wire matching to the trailering pigtail, it shouldn't be a bad installation.



Frankly, if you're only towing 5k, I'd go Prodigy and not look back. UNLESS... ... you tow on slick surfaces and have had problems sliding.

 

[johnrv4]

I've got a Jordan in my '01, and a Prodigy in my '97. Both work great. I bought my Prodigy for $92 off of Amazon, and paid around $120 for the Jordan. If I knew I was going to have two trucks, I would have just gotten the Prodigy and swapped it back and forth. The Prodigy was simple to install compared to the Jordan. But, the Jordan wasn't that bad either.

 

[MLevenson]

Well I orderd up a Jordan today and should be here just in time to for me to pick up my truck on thursday as well. I like what both the prodigy and the jordan offer but it came down to the long term and if I ever have to deal with wet roads, well I do live in WA I think the jordan is a better choice.

 

[Motorhead]

MLevenson, Post for some pictures of where other TDR people have mounted it. If no one has the pics then let me know and I will borrow my daughters camera and take some. My first install took some time but the one that I did on my friends truck was easy as I just copied the install on mine. ARE YOU IN THE SEATTLE AREA???? My friend lives there and maybe you and he could hook up and see how I mounted his Jordan controller. PM me. Chris

 

[MLevenson]

I'm actaully in Carnation which isn't to far from Seattle just east a ways. I have an idea as to where some of the tohers have mounted their controllers per some other threads on here. I just have to get it installed so I can then switch gears and help my buddy get is motorcycle back together so we can get ready to race them... Oh the joys.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I just removed a controller made by Drawtite and it was Junk. Have no esxperiance the the Prodigy. There is one called Brake Smart that is connected into the brake line and works off of hydralic pressure I would think is like the old Tekunsia controller of years ago(I don't think they make anymore and I am showing my age!!!) I used that one. The Brake Smart probably works great but I understand is expensive. I went for the Jordan and installation was not hard but I don't know how well it works or doesn't as I have not used it yet to tow. Next Monday will my first tow I have 14100# 5Er just a little bigger than yours. I am looking forward to a much better brake controller others have talked about.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Just finished my 400 mile trip and the Jordan an it was night and day better than the Drawtite. Very much safer and more comfortable to drive with confidence I can stop when I need to. This installation for towing rates right up there second to the Exhaust brake.

 

[nps]

I find that my exhaust brake doesn't work as good when I'm hooked up as it does when I'm empty - wonder if something is wrong with it? :-laf



I tried towing once with a cheap ramp-time controller POS. I think they should be outlawed. When you first hit the brakes (usually when you really need them) - nothing. Then the longer you keep your foot on the pedal the more the trailer drags you. Actually have to slowly pump the pedal to keep the cycle going. JUNK!



The Jordan is perfect.

 

[rowilson]

Jordan, hands down. Not even a fair comparison to any ramp type controller.

 

[jelag]

nps



We sell and install exhaust brakes..... We also pull 22K lbs of trailer weight... . we get 100% exhaust brake performance up to about 16K lbs of trailer weight. . what I mean is that down a 6 or 7 % grade in 5th or 4th gear the exhaust brake will hold the complete load..... above 16K lbs of trailer weight we either have to go down a gear or use the service brakes...



If your not seeing this kind of performance from your exhaust brake go look for a leak between the brake and the turbo... also you can install a air pressure gauge in the test port if so equiped... you should see 60 psi at 2800 rpm's... . with the brake working... ... any leaks or you don't have 60 psi means your not getting 100% retarding HP... . excessive leaks under the hood can lead to very bad problems.....



Also if any of you have installed your own exhaust brakes... the clamp to the turbo should be checked and tightened at 500 miles and check every year... ...



BTW I really like the brake smart... but now that its over 400 bucks my next controller will be the Jordan..... I like the abiltiy to control the brake pressure on the trailer with foot pressure in panic stops.....

 

[nps]

Thanks for the info Jim. I think it's working good - It'll hold my 12K load down a 6% grade with no problems.



I just can't use it at a stop light in lieu of the service brakes like I do empty.

 

[wcjp]

Not sure if you're talking about an 06'. Here's my Prodigy in my 06'.



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