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which brake controller?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by RCBS, Aug 24, 2009.

  1. Aug 24, 2009 at 10:35 AM
    #1
    RCBS

    RCBS [OP] How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
    Vehicle:
    Goodbye 06, Hello 21. TRDORDCSBMT
    Tornado intake, Duralube, Fartcan.
    i'm in the market and wanted to get some opinions on control modules.

    what do you have and what do you like/dislike about it? i'm leaning towards a digital readout.

    also, where do you have it mounted?
     
  2. Aug 24, 2009 at 11:12 AM
    #2
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Jandy
    Lancaster, PA
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    Tekonsha Prodigy

    One of the best!!!
     
  3. Aug 24, 2009 at 11:31 AM
    #3
    RCBS

    RCBS [OP] How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
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    Goodbye 06, Hello 21. TRDORDCSBMT
    Tornado intake, Duralube, Fartcan.
    it's on my list of possibles...anyone else?
     
  4. Sep 4, 2009 at 8:58 PM
    #4
    Marazzito

    Marazzito Well-Known Member

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    Dublin, CA
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    07 DC TRD Off-Road 4x4
    TRD Exhaust, AFE Cold Air Intake, URD Short Shifter, OME 886 HD Lift OME Rear Springs With XL... TRD Supercharger Coming Soon.
    Tekonsha P3... the new and improved Prodigy. Only about $30 more.
     
  5. Sep 4, 2009 at 10:18 PM
    #5
    cspcrx

    cspcrx Well-Known Member

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    I just ordered the Prodigy from etrailer.com
    $113 which included the premade wiring adapter with factory plug on one end and controller plug on the other.
    Its cheaper then I could find locally by a long shot.
     
  6. Sep 4, 2009 at 10:28 PM
    #6
    peleus21

    peleus21 Well-Known Member

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    okanogan, b.c. canada
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    led taillights HID dual beam headlights bolts and clamps to handle off road
    i went with a real cheap one and unless you are pulling trailers allot in real mountainous areas it is not worth getting a real expensive unit as u will not even notice a difference. it is all in the vanity of the thing. mine was 40 cdn and when i push brake, trailer brakes - good enough
     
  7. Sep 8, 2009 at 5:25 PM
    #7
    Isthatahemi

    Isthatahemi Well-Known Member

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    BFG AT's, Weathertechs, Hoppy's brake controller.
    The only real reason one needs trailer brakes is for emergencies. A cheap time delay brake controller will not give 100% stopping for a few seconds when you nail the brakes. Also time delays controllers are annoying and inconsistant.
    The bitterness of a poor product lingers long after the sweetness of saving a dollar has passed.
     
  8. Sep 9, 2009 at 9:14 AM
    #8
    peleus21

    peleus21 Well-Known Member

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    okanogan, b.c. canada
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    led taillights HID dual beam headlights bolts and clamps to handle off road
    you must live in flat country. brake controllers are not "just" for emergencies they are for making sure you don't burn your truck brakes up on a steep long hill, they are for giving you a similar braking distance as your truck would have if it didn't have a trailer on. i live in the mountains i had an 8% grade for 45 minutes with a travel trailer 19ft - old and heavy. my trailer controller did just fine. you don't need a digital display for it to work for years or one with a leveler relay(whatever it is called). simple actually means it has less to brake down. though i do agree sometimes you get what you pay for. a friend of mine bought a 200 dollar unit from california and almost crashed his truck when the leveler deal screwed up. had to use a runaway lane and burned up his truck brakes to get there. my dad has a simple one like mine and has had it for 10 years without missing a beat.
     
  9. Sep 9, 2009 at 2:46 PM
    #9
    Isthatahemi

    Isthatahemi Well-Known Member

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    BFG AT's, Weathertechs, Hoppy's brake controller.
    You shouldn't be using friction brakes as a primary source of stopping power on a mountain, gearing down controls the momentum, and then the brakes should be for adjusting the speed, slowing or stopping, not for maintaining. A cheap time delay controller will keep ramping up the trailer brakes, and can far more easily overheat them, or not give full stopping power when needed. The small drum brakes on any trailer will overheat easier than the heavy duty brakes on a truck.
    And you don't need fuel injection, ABS, or airbags, but technology is your friend.
     
  10. Sep 9, 2009 at 5:04 PM
    #10
    RCBS

    RCBS [OP] How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
    Vehicle:
    Goodbye 06, Hello 21. TRDORDCSBMT
    Tornado intake, Duralube, Fartcan.
    didn't really want to start a debate about trailer brakes. i was just looking for some suggestions on brands and makes of controllers that have worked well for others in the past. i do not currently tow anything over 3500, but have plans to in the future. no trans-america 30ft travel trailers or anything. just want to be able to move my 3300lb tractor from place to place on the weekends, a dump trailer, or possibly a truggy if i ever get the money to build one. i feel that these chores would require a trailer with a braking system and also load distribution or air bags to be done safely. i have no problem spending a little extra on a controller if it is a dependable and quality unit. after all, i did invest 30k on the truck.

    thanks to all for the responses and please keep 'em coming.
     
  11. Sep 9, 2009 at 5:08 PM
    #11
    Isthatahemi

    Isthatahemi Well-Known Member

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    BFG AT's, Weathertechs, Hoppy's brake controller.
    FWIW - I have a Hoppy's inertia controller, and I don't like it.
     
  12. Sep 25, 2009 at 8:27 AM
    #12
    AJVC17

    AJVC17 Member

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    Camper shell, Brake Controller, Air Lift Ride Control System
    I went with the prodigy brake controller. Not only does it have the manual knob which is great for warming up the brakes but it also has a boost system. It shows you a very simple diagram comparing the weight of your truck to the weight of what your towing and recommends a setting. I used the factory recommended settings and had no problems. Worked well going through the hills of Kentucky/Tennessee. I went to the local military retiree trailer park and asked a lot of them what they used. About 50% went with the prodigy and these are guys on their third or fourth rv.
     
  13. Sep 25, 2009 at 8:28 AM
    #13
    AJVC17

    AJVC17 Member

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    Oh yeah by the way RVWholesalers has the prodigy brake controller for 99 bucks. I spent 150 for mine at the local RV dealership.
     
  14. Sep 25, 2009 at 8:33 AM
    #14
    ofrd4fun

    ofrd4fun Well-Known Member

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    FJ Cruiser wheels, air bags, 5100's @1.75, TC UCA's, bi-xenon HID's
    I have a P3 and it's great. A Prodigy would be a good choice as well.
     
  15. Nov 9, 2009 at 2:46 PM
    #15
    WV_Tacoma

    WV_Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Not enough
    05 Taco V6, 5,000# travel trailer. I tow 5000 miles a year, East-West coast at times.

    They gave me a free brake controller when I bought my trailer. It has a little roller knob for adjustments (sucks) and the slide knob to manually brake....(good)

    Does anyone have 1st hand experience if it will make a difference in my towing if I go with a better controller?

    I mean it works, I have to adjust it when I am on wet roads, parking lots(trailer brake squeal, then I adjust, always the wrong direction and they lock up...lol, etc....)
     
  16. Nov 29, 2009 at 3:33 PM
    #16
    Markk

    Markk Member

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    I towed my trailers using a Prodigy for many years. It worked better on some trailers than others. I recently puchased a TruControl Gold from Hensley manufacturing and let me tell you, the difference is night and day. Just set it and forget it. I used to have to adjust my Prodigy for around town and again when we got on the highway, then again when we got off the highway. Not anymore!
     
  17. Nov 29, 2009 at 3:58 PM
    #17
    WV_Tacoma

    WV_Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Not enough
    Markk that is what I was thinking. Hadn't heard anything on the Hensley till now. I have a Hensley Arrow hitch.. Awesome sway control.

    I was also thinking Maxbrake controller..I heard Great things about it too.

    Any dislikes with the Hensley? Pros-Cons?
     
  18. Nov 29, 2009 at 4:08 PM
    #18
    Markk

    Markk Member

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    Hey WV,

    TruControl Gold Pros & Cons:
    Pros: Set it and forget it, Easy to read, tells you vehicle voltage braking amps etc., easy to mount

    Cons: Price, have heard of a few readout problems

    I got mine during the 50% off sale but it was still about $200 with shipping. But honestly it's worlds ahead of the Prodigy.

    I almost bought a used Henley but ended up buying a new ProPride which is Jim Hensley's latest design. Just like the Hensley Arrow-there is no sway, and is infinitely adjustable. http://www.propridehitch.com/
     
  19. Sep 6, 2012 at 8:10 AM
    #19
    J Gibson

    J Gibson Well-Known Member

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    katzkin leather, toyota step bars, pro grill, advent overhead DVD player, cargo extender, bed mat, husky liners, impulse digital brake controller, avs bugflector, tinted windows, Firestone ride-rite air bags, ARE camper top with tool doors, ScangaugeII, ProEFX tow mirrors, ImMrYo rearview mirror lift bracket, Salex glove box and console organizers, 2020 Tacoma Pro styled wheels, 265/70 r17 Michelin MS2 tires, LED map lights, drivers seat extended and raised, ram ball tech deck installed, blacked out badges, tinted taillights, upgraded climate control knobs, ultimate headlight upgrade with Osram superbrights and wiring harness along wit OEM pro headlight housings.
    I have an Impulse Digital Controller. I love it. You can get the plug and play kit for use with the factory towing package. Installs easily, can be mounted anywhere in any direction, (does not have to be level and facing forward like some).

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Oct 8, 2012 at 6:51 PM
    #20
    2 crown j

    2 crown j Active Member

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    Jay
    Bothell,wa
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    Not to hi jack But what about the hanes Brake boss $135.00 and made in America.

    I am going to get one in a couple weeks. Any feedback ?
     

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