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Theo · 01-10-2004, 09:33 AM

I am in the market for a new brake controller - my tow truck of choice has not got one.. I have tried many different ones over the years, and would like suggestions for the best one in 'your' experience. I have just heard that there are ones that take hydraulic input, from the brake pedal. This sounds interesting.. anyone know how, and how much..

I will be picking up the trailer in the next week, so need to get the controller kind of soon..

Theo

Silvertwinkie · 01-10-2004, 09:37 AM

This has been a wildly popular topic in the past. There is lots of great info by using the search feature:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...der=descending

Eric

Theo · 01-10-2004, 09:47 AM

Thank you for the link... and the tolerance for a newbie..

Theo

JimBrownUT · 01-10-2004, 10:12 AM

Theo:

I just purchased my 99 19' Bambi in October of 2003. I had a hitch and brake controller installed by my local company owned U-Haul location. I was very pleased with the results. They seemed to know how to install the hitch and brake controler properly.

I purchased the Prodigy brake controller. They installed it with the hitch one morning. They ran all the electrical wiring in tubing giving the wire protection from wear and breakage. I don't know what I paid for the Prodigy since it was a package deal. Check out U-Haul prior to buying. For $5 they will give you a warranty for the life of the vehicle (I think you need to own the vehicle for the warranty to apply), but they will repair or replace a product if it becomes faulty or is stolen.

I am an avid do-it-your self person with goog electrical and mechanical skills. The cost of installation by U-Haul was nominal. Iwould not consider doing it myself on future trailers or trucks.

I got a couple of other quotes from my installation and the prices were about 30% higher than U-Haul.

I have pulled the Bambi about 1,000 miles since installation and like the way the hitch and brake controller work. My hauling included mountain driving and desert driving with a 40 mph cross wind. Everything seems to work great.

Jim Brown
Liberty, UT

Silvertwinkie · 01-10-2004, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Theo
Thank you for the link... and the tolerance for a newbie..

Theo

We've all been there at one point or another!

Navigator · 01-10-2004, 10:22 AM

I'll second the U-Haul recomendation.
Been there, done that.
Dick

59toaster · 01-10-2004, 11:18 AM

Quote:

I have just heard that there are ones that take hydraulic input, from the brake pedal. This sounds interesting.. anyone know how, and how much..

They are good and I have them in both my trucks but both my trucks do not have Anti Lock.
If your truck has Anti Lock I would not use this style. The next closest to the performance of that style is the Jordan.

In this day and age the Jordan is conidered the best by most and the Prodigy is the next best.

remcolent · 01-10-2004, 02:52 PM

I think the Jordan is the safest one
even if you lose the brakes on your car the jordan still works
I have a old car with single MC I like the idee that the jordan always works
you will spend some time upside down under the dash to install
the jordan I think its worth that

remco

Theo · 01-10-2004, 04:47 PM

I am not too good messing with electrics, but can muddle through if it is explained really well to me somehow.

How difficult would it be for a novice such as myself to fit a controller - i got a quote from uhaul, and they will do it, for $100 bucks plus the cost of parts, which seems a little steep, as they said it takes about 40 minutes.

Theo

remcolent · 01-11-2004, 01:37 AM

there is a good instruction sheet with the jordan
it will be a bit more than 40 minutes if you are
on this for the first time
Remco

wahoonc · 01-11-2004, 06:43 AM

Theo,
Based on your signature line "'02 F250 Tug"

the Prodigy should be plug and play. All Fords with the factory installed towing package have a connector under the dash, you may need to add a couple of relays under the hood if they have not already been installed. I have 3 Fords at my disposal, I use a single Prodigy between all of them, also have a Dodge that I use it on but that's another story

try www.brakecontroller.com for pricing. The Prodigy is very easy to install, it takes longer to mount the bracket/pocket than the actual controller. I have been very happy with mine, it is used on everything from a 2500# popup with a single axle, up to a tri-axle 12,000# equipment trailer.

Aaron

qqq · 01-11-2004, 11:51 PM

Does anyone know where the prodigy connects to a y2k Silverado with 6 ? towing harness

Thanks

Hart

john hd · 01-12-2004, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by qqq
Does anyone know where the prodigy connects to a y2k Silverado with 6 ? towing harness

Thanks

Hart

hart

it should plug into the top right receptical on the terminal block under the dash.

it is just above where your left foot is when seated.

there is a black plastic cover over the entire panel.

also, your truck should have been supplied with a harness for this, in the glove box with a mega fuse taped to it. brown square plug on one end.

check your owner's manual.

john

Pick · 01-12-2004, 05:15 AM

They quit supplying those brake controller harnesses free in 2003, I had to pay $26 for mine.

wahoonc · 01-12-2004, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pick
They quit supplying those brake controller harnesses free in 2003, I had to pay $26 for mine.

Shoulda bought a Ford

I got one with mine, then again you can buy the one from Prodigy for something around $9 that already has the factory plug on it.

Aaron

linc54 · 01-12-2004, 07:08 AM

Had installed a "BrakeSmart" from Master Brake Systems about a year ago. Had a Prodigy before that. The BrakeSmart is an improvement of the first magnitude. It taps into the brake line so sense line pressure. Works with anti-lock brakes.

I tow a 34' classic limited with a 2003 Excursion. The difference cannot be overexaggerated. HIGHLY recommended.

**jcanavera** · 01-12-2004, 10:17 AM

I installed my first Jordan Ultima brake controller last spring. I consider it the best unit I have ever used. I think my dealer was so impressed when he did his test drive with my new Classic, he may begin to stock them.

The install was easy. I picked my up from a dealer on E-bay at a cost just over $100. Here is a link to Jordan Research's web page. http://www.jordanbrake.com/INDEX.html

Jack

qqq · 01-12-2004, 10:41 AM

John HD
The standard 6 wires harness on Y2K half ton Silverados don't have a brake control wire

only the 7 wire harness have it...(that's what owner manual says)
I have the prodigy harness, but it will be useless as there is no brake wire on the truck

Hart

**jcanavera** · 01-12-2004, 12:50 PM

The Jordan requires no connection to the brake light line since it works off of a direct cable connection above brake pedal. That's part of what makes this controller so neat. Its not triggered by the presence of voltage but on the depression of the pedal itself. The more pressure you apply to the pedal the greater the braking power to the trailer brakes.

Jack

john hd · 01-12-2004, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by qqq
John HD
The standard 6 wires harness on Y2K half ton Silverados don't have a brake control wire only the 7 wire harness have it...(that's what owner manual says)
I have the prodigy harness, but it will be useless as there is no brake wire on the truck

Hart

hart,

just use the six wire harness and spilt out the large blue wire and run it to the rear.

john