which trailer brake controller?

[J. Lee]

I was just driving along today with my 25' gooseneck trailer loaded down with concrete forms and my trailer brake controller started to act up. It only works manually. It came with my truck when i bought it. I am ready to replace it anyway and just wanted some advice. Which one are you using and pros cons of it?

Thanks in advance,

Jeremiah

 

[EB]

You will get a half dozen answers on this. It is mostly personal preference. I have used most of the major brands and the best I've found is the Brakesmart. It is more expensive that most of the others but is the smoothest and best performing I have found and I pull a trailer for a living. Like I said, that's my opinion, no one is wrong, you will get others.

 

[cscott]

I use the Jordan 2020 and am very happy with it.



I tow a 48ft tripple axel race car trailer with no problems.



Do a search for Jordan and you will find more discussions.



Good Luck

 

[mmi]

Our Brakesmart and cushion hitch ,is so smooth you have to check if small trailers are still attached.

Once you make an entry hole the install is easy.

more expensive yes , but it works and has added options.

 

[klenger]

I've had both the Jordan (on my 2001. 5) and the BrakeSmart (on my 2004. 5). Both work well. The BrakeSmart is easier to install and setup, but cost about $200 more.



Here's my slide show on the BrakeSmart:



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/brakesmart/slide01.html

 

[Matt400]

If I were to buy a new one today it would be the BrakeSmart. I like the concept and they are working on an EGT/Boost module that will double as a gauge also.

 

[Eric_77]

Second (third whatever) on the Brakesmart have on both my 96 and 03 and they work awesome.



But to your problem of trailer brakes only working in manual mode. Check your brake light fuse as that signals the brake controller and with blown fuse even if controller has power it does not know to activate when brakes are applied.

 

[J. Lee]

brake lights still work though. Could it still do that even with the lights still working?

Edit: if you are applying brakes and tap the controller it locks up the trailers brakes.

thanks

Jeremiah

 

[Eric_77]

The brake controller will feed power to the truck and trailer brake lights (on many models) just use the foot brake to test for lights if you do have power there then do a test at the controller itself to see if brake light wire became disconnected from controller.

 

[RustyJC]

If I were going with a new truck, I'd probably go with the BrakeSmart. Having said that, my Jordan Ultima 2020 does a good job as well. I gave up on the inertial and time-based controllers years ago.



Rusty

 

[CLAYTON]

The only one I have used is the Prodigy brake and it works great. I would buy it again

 

[mikel]

I've had three different Jordan controllers on trucks that I have owned, and have no complaints whatsoever with them. That being said, I'm going to ry the brakesmart next time I need a controller.



Mike

 

[Chipstien]

Brakesmart here..... simply awesome.