Dumped my Voyager ..... brake controller

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, when we bought our brand new Airstream Safari in September 2004 we got a free Tekonsha Voyager brake controller with it. And for over three years it has worked just fine, no complaints. On this forum I have read soooooo many good things about the Tekonsha Prodigy, so I bought a brand new Tekonsha P-3. I like the fact that I can set it up by numbers and can always set it where I like it instead of adjusting it by feel. And the adjustments can't be accidentally changed by someone turning the knobs, because it can't be changed unless the trailer is connected. Also it looks really good inside of my Lincoln. We will be takeing our trailer out in the first week of Febuary so I won't know how well it works until then.

[FreshAir]

Well, Bob, you can show it to me at Casini in April.
Neil.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, when we bought our brand new Airstream Safari in September 2004 we got a free Tekonsha Voyager brake controller with it. And for over three years it has worked just fine, no complaints. On this forum I have read soooooo many good things about the Tekonsha Prodigy, so I bought a brand new Tekonsha P-3. I like the fact that I can set it up by numbers and can always set it where I like it instead of adjusting it by feel. And the adjustments can't be accidentally changed by someone turning the knobs, because it can't be changed unless the trailer is connected. Also it looks really good inside of my Lincoln. We will be takeing our trailer out in the first week of Febuary so I won't know how well it works until then.

I am eyeballing that one myself. My old prodigy is reliable, and works ok, but it is inconsistant and requires adjustments often. My hopes are that the new P3 is better in that regard.
Can't wait for your first trip report.

[davidz71]

I'm happy with my P3 also. I sometimes have to make adjustments after the trailer has been sitting for awhile but it so easy to do so. After using this controller for over 1,800 miles, I am sold on it's features.

[TROPHYJIM2]

I was just down to see my local RV guy who has been in the parts business for many years...real reliable sort. He told me he go a letter reguarding sending back P-3s if he had any on the shelf. He called it "a quiet recall" Any problem areas weren't explained to me and he told me he has sold quite a few with no problems reported. Its winter here I am in no hurry. He told me the new ones are on order and will be available in a few weeks. I don't think he was BSn me, since he knows I wasn't in a hurry and was going to buy from him anyway. Just thought I'd pass it on. I'm getting a P3 for my 2005 Silverado I just picked up to haul a 27 classic.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, on our trip last week to San Clemente State Beach, I was able to set and test my new brake controller. The instructions said to set it to 6.0 and drive vehicle to 25mph. Then pull lever to the left and see if the brakes lock up. [Previously, my brakes would never lock up.] If the brakes lock up, then lower the voltage. If not, raise the voltage until if does lock up at 25mph. Mine locked up at 8.5 volts. Next step is to lower the voltage just enough to not allow the brakes to lock up. I set mine at 8.2 volts. Next step was to set the boost to match my tow vehicle to my trailer. I set it to boost #2. This was all done while driveing around my neighborhood before actually hitting the freeway. On this trip my Lincoln and Safari stopped smoothly and as one unit; No bucking, grabbing, or jerking. Driveing on the freeway, side streets, or parking lots [camp grounds] I never had to make any other adjustments. I'm glad I made the change.

Note: this controller can be set to work with drum or disk brakes so if for any reason I needed to help out someone by towing their trailer with disk brakes, I would be able to.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

On this trip my Lincoln and Safari stopped smoothly and as one unit; No bucking, grabbing, or jerking. Driving on the freeway, side streets, or parking lots [camp grounds] I never had to make any other adjustments. I'm glad I made the change.

The bucking, grabbing etc. symptoms you describe sound exactly like what my beef is with the Prodigy.
Sounds like a P3 is on the horizon for me, too.
Does the Prodigy Harness plug into the P3?

On Edit - I just noticed that your previous brake controller was a Voyager, not a Prodigy. Oops.
Still, the Harness might be the same, can you tell?

[uwe]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Note: this controller can be set to work with drum or disk brakes so if for any reason I needed to help out someone by towing their trailer with disk brakes, I would be able to.

Ok, I will fax you my camping itinerary....lucky for you, most trips are close to home, so you won't have to tow my trailer so far. The next is San Clemente SB on the 29th. Spot 004. I'd like to arrive by 4:00PM for cocktails, please make sure the trailer is all set up, and the fridge is cold.

[Boondocker]

I installed a P3 last fall when I got the new(er) truck. I have towed from south west Oklahoma to St Louis (part of the way in snow), then on to Nashville then to Padre Island and finally back to OK. I have been completely satisfied with the P3. I can't say how much better it is than the cheapy I was using, but I like to think it is better. I love the display and the adjustment process. That is far superior to the dial on the old one.

[HiHoAgRV]

The only complaint I have with my P3 is no adjustment for the LCD viewing angle. The contrast adjustment won't allow me to see the display in the only place I could mount it. Functionally it's 100% better than my old unit, a Muffy? Puffy? heck I can't remember what I had before!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, uwe. The wire harness on the Voyager is part of the unit, not removeable. But the Prodigy harness would work with the P-3 controller.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by uwe

Ok, I will fax you my camping itinerary....lucky for you, most trips are close to home, so you won't have to tow my trailer so far. The next is San Clemente SB on the 29th. Spot 004. I'd like to arrive by 4:00PM for cocktails, please make sure the trailer is all set up, and the fridge is cold.

Hi, uwe. My wife wants to go back to San Clemente SB and boondock for a few days in the middle of the week. I don't know exactly when, but she wants to be near where Time & str8 were. Not a rally, but just us, or just a few friends. [very small group]

[DPeakMD]

Looks like a nice unit! I like the display and menu settings.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, uwe. My wife wants to go back to San Clemente SB and boondock for a few days in the middle of the week. I don't know exactly when, but she wants to be near where Time & str8 were. Not a rally, but just us, or just a few friends. [very small group]

We're going at the end of the month, arriving on the 29th , leaving on the 2nd, I believe. Please do join us!
We can't do mid week, both my queen and myself have carreers that keep us way too busy.
A severely disorganized, yet spontaneous Rally might be fun! Let's try!

[uwe]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, uwe. The wire harness on the Voyager is part of the unit, not removeable. But the Prodigy harness would work with the P-3 controller.

That is good news! I just wired the Produgy into the new Suburban, and if the plug fits, then it's a matter of plug and play. My anxietey level just dropped at least 6 notches...

[Andrew T]

Part of the problem when trying to find a brake control for an Airstream is that they are generally configured for the bulk of the RV industry. Most trailers the weight of an Airstream have 10" brakes instead of 12" brakes so they have a lot less stopping power. If the brake control is overly aggressive you are not likley to feel much jerking etc. because the brakes just don't have the power to do it.

The Internal mechanism of the P3 and the Prodigy appear to be identical. I find the performance about the same with the two of them as well. The diagnostics are nice on the P3 and it has disc brake capability. However I would not bother to change a prodigy for a P3.

There is a new Jordan Ultima that will be availabe by late spring. It works with the movement of the brake pedal so the trailer brakes are always in sync with the tow vehicle. Braking is very smooth, emergency stops are faster and you generally ajust it once and forget it.

Andy