DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)
Machinery, Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Topic started by: Carlriddle on April 12, 2011, 11:14:39 AM
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So my new to me truck is ready to go tow wise except for a brake controller. Looking for any brand really to avoid. Going to buy a proportional contro l digital one and most seem to be in the $100 range. Truck is wired and only need to plug controller in under the dash. So any to reccomend or avoid???
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I have a draw-tite activator II. Has to be the best controller I have had. I had a tekoshowa prodigy it think it was. (cant spell the dam name) in my old truck. It work pretty good but my draw-tite is smoother. Just my 2 cents. A controller is not a place to get cheap.
http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo_draw_tite_brake_controller_5500.aspx (http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo_draw_tite_brake_controller_5500.aspx)
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Tekonsha.
The Best is the 90195 P3. www.tekonsha.com. You can set them for electric or hydraulic.
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I have a draw-tite activator II. Has to be the best controller I have had. I had a tekoshowa prodigy it think it was. (cant spell the dam name) in my old truck. It work pretty good but my draw-tite is smoother. Just my 2 cents. A controller is not a place to get cheap.
http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo_draw_tite_brake_controller_5500.aspx (http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo_draw_tite_brake_controller_5500.aspx)
That is the same one I just purchased from that site.. Good bang for the buck IMO
EDIT- My bad.. This is the one I bought.. good reviews.
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Ford/F-250+and+F-350+Heavy+Duty/1997/5520-3035P.html?vehicleid=1997106263 (http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Ford/F-250+and+F-350+Heavy+Duty/1997/5520-3035P.html?vehicleid=1997106263)
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I'll use nothing but a Prodigy. Best there is hands down. I've got 3 of them . No issues in over 10 years now.
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X2 on the prodigy. Had one get a short after 5 years and it was swaped by the new model no questions asked at a local rv store. I love mine and it works great
http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/prodigy-brake-control-by-tekonsha-17-0101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base&ctype=2&gclid=COqE3O-vmKgCFQo0QgodshU2Cg (http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/prodigy-brake-control-by-tekonsha-17-0101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base&ctype=2&gclid=COqE3O-vmKgCFQo0QgodshU2Cg)
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You won't even know there's a trailer behind you it works so smoothly. Perfect coordination with the tow vehicle.
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This is the best option on the market right now. Brake controller. (http://www.safetybullet.com/)
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OHHhhhhhh you a funny boy Mr yummi. rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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X2 on the prodigy. Had one get a short after 5 years and it was swaped by the new model no questions asked at a local rv store. I love mine and it works great
http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/prodigy-brake-control-by-tekonsha-17-0101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base&ctype=2&gclid=COqE3O-vmKgCFQo0QgodshU2Cg (http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/prodigy-brake-control-by-tekonsha-17-0101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base&ctype=2&gclid=COqE3O-vmKgCFQo0QgodshU2Cg)
WOW!!!! KILLER price. My first one cost over 200 bux.The price has constantly come down tho as the last one I bought about 4 years ago was 129. I really don't care what they cost tho as they work perfectly in every situation. Hell,I'd pay 200 bux still if that was what they cost today.
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I'll use nothing but a Prodigy. Best there is hands down. I've got 3 of them . No issues in over 10 years now.
+1 IMO It's the only one to have .8) 8) 8)
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All electronic/proportional controllers suck once you have driven with one of these.
http://www.drperformance.com/brakesmart.html (http://www.drperformance.com/brakesmart.html)
After sliding backwards down a dirt hill in Baja with the trucks wheels locked and the trailer brakes doing jack shit, I upgraded. Now when I stomp on the pedal, everything locks regardless of speed/inertia...........
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Looking to see what I can get locally, haven't seen any Prodigy stuff around here yet.
Funny side note; local camper place sells a brand Escort. So I did a quick internet search for escort controller, try it NSFW. :o LMAO :o LMAO I checked 3 times.
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just go to the link punkr posted and buy the prodigy. It works.
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X2 on the prodigy. Had one get a short after 5 years and it was swaped by the new model no questions asked at a local rv store. I love mine and it works great
http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/prodigy-brake-control-by-tekonsha-17-0101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base&ctype=2&gclid=COqE3O-vmKgCFQo0QgodshU2Cg (http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/prodigy-brake-control-by-tekonsha-17-0101.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base&ctype=2&gclid=COqE3O-vmKgCFQo0QgodshU2Cg)
My first Tekonsha. Did the short out thing after 18 months! Bought a Tekonsha prodigy, dam thing never stayed in adjustment. Read reviews online, I was not the only one with that problem.
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You just don't know how to use it then. I use my prodigies 4-5 times a week. Never an issue.
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You just don't know how to use it then. I use my prodigies 4-5 times a week. Never an issue.
I know how to use it. I went so far as to sit there with the instructions a couple of times to see if I was the problem. My Friend was the dealer and I worked with him on it. I was not the only customer who had that issue with it. I never replaced it as it was not like it went from doing nothing to locking up. It just seemed inconsistent, we changed trailers and drivers. We even changed trucks to see if it was in my truck. I never thought much of the draw-tite's I had seen before the one that came in my truck. I have liked its operation better that my old prodigy. When I ran vehicles for the dealership I use controllers all the time. The vast majority were Tekonsha. I have nothing against them as a whole. We had the voyager's there. That was the first one in my old truck. I liked that one better than my Prodigy. Of the 3, I like my current draw-tite the best. And at that price its hard to beat. I paid way more for that Prodigy.
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All I can say is that all 3 of mine work perfect and you don't even feel the trailer behind. Your experience ,IMO,was a fluke.
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mine I don't think you can buy anymore, its about 6" wide x 8" long x3" thick! it's got to be 25 years old too rofl rofl rofl rofl still works pretty good just have to tap on it from time to time LMAO
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Think that's called an 8 track DS. kick rofl rofl. Prob try to check out a few in person in next weekend or two. Now it looks like a couple rear tires on truck. 65 psi in a tire needin 32 might cause a perm bulge. Hit a bump and ass end gets squirrelly. Dumb ass's.
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more like 3- 8 tracks taped together! ;D
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more like 3- 8 tracks taped together! ;D
WOW!!! Now that's a biggin!
They call that a knee knocking special! rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
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I know how to use it. I went so far as to sit there with the instructions a couple of times to see if I was the problem. My Friend was the dealer and I worked with him on it. I was not the only customer who had that issue with it. I never replaced it as it was not like it went from doing nothing to locking up. It just seemed inconsistent, we changed trailers and drivers. We even changed trucks to see if it was in my truck. I never thought much of the draw-tite's I had seen before the one that came in my truck. I have liked its operation better that my old prodigy. When I ran vehicles for the dealership I use controllers all the time. The vast majority were Tekonsha. I have nothing against them as a whole. We had the voyager's there. That was the first one in my old truck. I liked that one better than my Prodigy. Of the 3, I like my current draw-tite the best. And at that price its hard to beat. I paid way more for that Prodigy.
I was thinking about this last night and remembered that I spoke with the Prodigy people some time back,4 or 5 years ago, for a friend of mine. He was having the same stuff you describe. Problem was high resistance in the ground between the trailer and tow truck. Connected a dedicated ground in the trailer side connector and the problem went away.
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So using the hitch and ball would NOT be a proper ground. rofl Once had a little trailer every time hit a little bump tail lights would blink. HuH? kick
No since running power to it w/o a ground.
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do they still make the hydraulic brake controllers? :o ;D
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YUP
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I thought so and there's a guy at tsc that swears by them, now I'm not saying that they are junk in fact I'm not saying anything but the new ones are easier to use. ;D I do need to replace my antique one as well. especially now that I'm pulling a billboard.
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It's just a little bit bigger than your old trailer, DS ;D ;D ;D
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The old trailer is inside, for delivery. ;D Everything worked out DS??
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I thought so and there's a guy at tsc that swears by them, now I'm not saying that they are junk in fact I'm not saying anything but the new ones are easier to use. ;D I do need to replace my antique one as well. especially now that I'm pulling a billboard.
Ever try backing a trailer up hill with those hydraulic surge brakes LOL!!!!!
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I was thinking about this last night and remembered that I spoke with the Prodigy people some time back,4 or 5 years ago, for a friend of mine. He was having the same stuff you describe. Problem was high resistance in the ground between the trailer and tow truck. Connected a dedicated ground in the trailer side connector and the problem went away.
Now that you mention the ground. I recall having gone through the plugs and cleaning all connections. That made a big difference. Probably why I never took it out. I also recall it working with heavy trailer/loads best. I always have a dedicated ground. Boat trailer lights taught me that years ago. Grounding through the ball hit and miss. Good hint on a ground problem is blinking lights with bumps, or working after a few turns (grind off the rust on the ball).
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Bad grounds will make you go........ :j :j :j
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Ever try backing a trailer up hill with those hydraulic surge brakes LOL!!!!!
you have to put a pin in the actuator or good luck!
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The old trailer is inside, for delivery. ;D Everything worked out DS??
nope and it looks like I will have to sue him to get any restitution for the existing damage now that his ins won't cover it. I really should've known better in a couple of ways, but it happened, so I guess I have to fix it now or sue him. he did clean up the damage a bit to hide some of it and you can't see the rest untill you take it apart but he never stated anything more than a spot in the floor which doesn't add up to an $8100.00 repair estimate!! this will be the last camper I ever buy w/o taking it to a repair shop first! I can fix the damage myself but shouldn't have to and that was a verbal agreement between us which was my first mistake but the law is in my favor. at the same time I know he spent the money already and doesn't have a pot to piss in apperantly, well in his case i would say payment poor more so and he works for the railroad as an engineer! sueing him my not yield anything more than a piece of paper. although since my wife works for a law firm atty fee's are cheap and we are pursuing it at this time.
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you have to put a pin in the actuator or good luck!
;D ;D ;D They also won't apply backing downhill. I'll keep my electrics thank you. ;) :) :)
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;D ;D ;D They also won't apply backing downhill. I'll keep my electrics thank you. ;) :) :)
DITTO!
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Bro in law and I went fishing. Was backing him in in a Jeep wrangler, ramp shady, some leaves and slick as owl shit. All 4 wheels slid all the way down ramp. Not sure if the boat slamming the water made it stop or my butt hole clinched tight to the seat. :o :o rofl rofl
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Bro in law and I went fishing. Was backing him in in a Jeep wrangler, ramp shady, some leaves and slick as owl shit. All 4 wheels slid all the way down ramp. Not sure if the boat slamming the water made it stop or my butt hole clinched tight to the seat. :o :o rofl rofl
ripped a little seat foam loose huh! ;D ;) LMAO
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Well I bought the Agility brake controller yest. Less than 5 min install time. $115 w/ford wire harness. Simpile plug in and go, finally something went easy. Also bought some new tires for the truck, 2 rear to match the new fronts. Proportional control and brakes the trailer in reverse.