Prodigy Brake Control

CACTUS · 12-30-2004, 12:01 PM

I am about to buy a Prodigy brake control for my Chevy truck. It seems to be
a good unit. Price is not important. should I buy something else.

Pahaska · 12-30-2004, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CACTUS

I am about to buy a Prodigy brake control for my Chevy truck. It seems to be
a good unit. Price is not important. should I buy something else.

I'm totally satisfied with the Prodigy. Your truck should have a short wiring harness that plugs in behind the parking brake pedal. With that, it is connect the harness and plug and play.

I never touch the adjustments on mine unless the trailer hhas been sitting in rain for a while; then I back off a bit for the first couple of stops till the rust wears off the drums. By the time I clear the storage yard, all is normal again

Tin Hut · 12-30-2004, 03:17 PM

If money isn't an issue I'd also consider the Brakesmart. I had the prodigy on my last truck and although it was a good controller I've noticed a big difference now that I have the Brakesmart. With the Prodigy I often had to reach down to work the lever to add a little stopping power to make up for the brake fade (it was calibrated correctly). The brakesmart has no fade since it's connected directly to the brake line. It also will give you alarms if you have any wiring disconnects on your trailer tires & if you have a diesel it'll give you brake temps as well.

TomW · 12-30-2004, 03:38 PM

I have the Prodigy, and am very pleased with it.

Funny thing is I could have sworn the Forums used to have a category which contained a "user's review" of this particular brake controller. I can not seem to find it.

There was one person who listed problems with it which were worth reading about. I decided I do not have his particular problems since my tow vehicle is heavy with respect to my Airstream.

Tom

oglerb · 12-30-2004, 04:49 PM

2 cents worth, I have used a Prodigy for over 1.5 years with excellent service. 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD pulling an AS....

silverback · 12-30-2004, 05:49 PM

The Prodigy works fine with our setup, but I'm on my 2nd one (with this truck/trailer combo). The first one flaked out within 6 months. It would show short or no connection on the display, but stilled worked. It also tested fine on the Tekonsha test box. Our dealer swapped it out anyway (after checking over the trailer wiring and brakes) and I haven't had a repeat of the problem. We had one on our previous truck and never had any problems. I would probably get another too.
- Ken

Silvertwinkie · 12-30-2004, 07:07 PM

It's a great unit. You won't be unhappy with it. Had one now since Feb '03. If you have adjustable pedals, it's really the only one that works well if you have that setup.

uwe · 12-30-2004, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomW

I have the Prodigy, and am very pleased with it.

Funny thing is I could have sworn the Forums used to have a category which contained a "user's review" of this particular brake controller. I can not seem to find it.

There was one person who listed problems with it which were worth reading about. I decided I do not have his particular problems since my tow vehicle is heavy with respect to my Airstream.

Tom

This might have been me. I have a Prodigy, and am not really pleased with it. Maybe it's just my unit, but it's inconsistent, often needing adjustments.
It's especially annoying in stop and go traffic.
I tow a 1971 Tradewind with a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, btw. My wiring is in perfect condition, and my trailer has new axles and brakes.
The review section seems to have disappeared altogether, btw.