New F150 '09 brake controller vs. Prodigy brake controller

[dukester]

Any feedback would be much appreciated. We are being told by an AS dealer that prodigy controllers are the only ones that work right with AS's. Have been also told that the new F150 brake controller is supposed to be all new and a big improvement over the majority of aftermarket competition. Anyone have any experience using the stock controller with their AS? Thanks.

[dshouston]

It sounds like the dealer just wants to sell a brake controller. I have a factory controller in my 2008 sierra. The factory brake control is a huge improvement over the prodigy i was using.

[altamont]

One of the main reason we bought our F250 in 2007 was BECAUSE of the integrated brake controller. After 15k miles of towing, I wouldn't be without it. Our previous TV had a Prodigy and it was OK but the new Ford unit is perfect and pretty much fool proof.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by altamont

One of the main reason we bought our F250 in 2007 was BECAUSE of the integrated brake controller. After 15k miles of towing, I wouldn't be without it. Our previous TV had a Prodigy and it was OK but the new Ford unit is perfect and pretty much fool proof.

Ditto... The integrated brake controller with the Tow Command Package was an important factor for us in deciding on our 2006 F-250 Power Stroke Diesel crew cab truck, and we still love it.

[Minnie's Mate]

I have now had two F-250 PSD's with the factory OEM brake controller and like the others I love it. BTW, one item of important note, Tekomsa (SP?), maker of the Prodigy, also makes the Ford integrated brake controller.

[millvalleyca]

Originally Posted by dukester

Any feedback would be much appreciated. We are being told by an AS dealer that prodigy controllers are the only ones that work right with AS's. Have been also told that the new F150 brake controller is supposed to be all new and a big improvement over the majority of aftermarket competition. Anyone have any experience using the stock controller with their AS? Thanks.

Hi Dukester
We're here in NorCal also.
Which AS dealer are you talking to?
We have a 2008 F250 with the brake controller also.
Works like a charm.....
Are you looking to buy a new AS and truck?
Dennis

[dukester]

I thought it odd that only a prodigy would work on AS's and am glad to hear the ford controller works so well. MillValleyCA, we are talking with Sutton up in Eugene. Our sales person said they have had problems with some of the ford controllers while others were Ok. Supposedly the '09's have an all new controller so we'll see.

[pattonsr]

My understanding is Tekonsha provided Ford in the past with the logic to implement their controller. The logic was similar to the Tekonsha Voyager. That logic did not work on Airstream Classic Limited disc brakes. The Tekonsha Prodigy also does not work on Classic Limited disc brakes. For 2009, Tekonsha has provided Ford with the P3 logic which does work on all Airstream brakes. The P3 is the successor to the Prodigy.

So the 2009 Ford integrated controller should work on all Airstream models including the classic limited with its disc brakes.

Barry

[Midamrail]

The integrated Tow Command controller on our 2005 F250 works flawlessly with the standard electric brakes on our 1971 Sovereign. It also works with the disc brakes on our 2008 Classic; however, the digital readout in the dash does not work with the disc brakes. The brakes themselves do work.

The disc brakes also work with the aftermarket Prodigy in our 2007 GMC 2500HD. However, each time the disc brake trailer is plugged into a different truck, it needs to be re-initialized to that truck. Many dealers are not aware of the initialization process for the disc brake actuators.

[DFord79]

The Ford brake contoller allows the trailer brakes to be controlled by the onboad computer in the truck. To put it simply this means the trailer brakes act like the truck brakes. Ford has sway control and anti-lock brakes on their new trucks and this allows the trailer to use these features. The best system in the industry.

[WK57ABF]

Hi Folks,

Posted this on a different thread and not had much success.

Managed to get a photo of truck dash displaying TBC fault. The truck is 2008 F350 and the trailer was disconnected. Can anyone help - does it mean the TBC is done for?

Thanks, John

[DFord79]

Originally Posted by 1939 to ....

Hi Folks,

Posted this on a different thread and not had much success.

Managed to get a photo of truck dash displaying TBC fault. The truck is 2008 F350 and the trailer was disconnected. Can anyone help - does it mean the TBC is done for?

Thanks, John

Why ask for help here.....ITS FULLY COVERED UNDERWARRENTY

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by dukester

Any feedback would be much appreciated. We are being told by an AS dealer that prodigy controllers are the only ones that work right with AS's. Have been also told that the new F150 brake controller is supposed to be all new and a big improvement over the majority of aftermarket competition. Anyone have any experience using the stock controller with their AS? Thanks.

I would be cautious with that salesman.

Airstream uses Dexter brakes, which work well with many controllers.

There are several top notch controllers.

The list gets a little smaller when you use one with disc brakes.

The original Prodigy's did have some problems, but that apparently has been resolved.

Andy

[dukester]

Originally Posted by pattonsr

My understanding is Tekonsha provided Ford in the past with the logic to implement their controller. The logic was similar to the Tekonsha Voyager. That logic did not work on Airstream Classic Limited disc brakes. The Tekonsha Prodigy also does not work on Classic Limited disc brakes. For 2009, Tekonsha has provided Ford with the P3 logic which does work on all Airstream brakes. The P3 is the successor to the Prodigy.

So the 2009 Ford integrated controller should work on all Airstream models including the classic limited with its disc brakes.

Barry

The dealer did mention that the classics with the disc brakes were a problem. We have purchased a 30 classic and were hoping the new controller would fit the bill. Sounds like it will be fine. Thanks again!

[WK57ABF]

Originally Posted by DFord79

Why ask for help here.....ITS FULLY COVERED UNDERWARRENTY

DFord79, I apologise for being in the wrong thread.

Trucks destined for the US home market and imported to the UK do not carry a Ford warranty. That's the risk you take if you want to pull your Airstream with an American truck. Hence the request for help.

John

[pattonsr]

Originally Posted by dukester

The dealer did mention that the classics with the disc brakes were a problem. We have purchased a 30 classic and were hoping the new controller would fit the bill. Sounds like it will be fine. Thanks again!

Please report back how the 2009 Ford controller works with the 30 classic. What year is your classic?

The P3 has a setting for electric or electric over hydraulic brakes. If the Ford controller works properly, I wonder if there will be a similar settng for the type of brakes or has Tekonsha now found a way to do it automatically and provided that logic to Ford.

It would be super if the new 2009 Ford controller works with drum and disc brakes used by all models of Airstreams.

Barry

[dukester]

Yes will do pattonsr. Will pass along the dearer service group comments. We are scheduled for the prodigy so they want to check the ford controller thoroughly before signing off on it. Unfortunately we are not picking the trailer up until late Mar so will have to wait until then. We purchased an '08.

[dukester]

Here's some more info. Was down at a Ford dealer today getting a bed liner installed and spent some time talking with a mechanic who has been towing rv's for years. He swears by the equalizer hitch. Also loves the prodigy but says the new ford controller is better. But if the ford controller for any reason does not work, the prodigy is an easy plug & play under the dash. More info this forum probably already knows but: fill all tires (truck & trailer) to max pressure when towing and take the truck & trailer to a weigh station to get an accurate tow weight (i.e. don't trust published weights).