I tow a 34' Excella (3-axel electric brakes) with a 2005 Silverado 2500 Duramax Short Bed. I intend to buy a ProPride as it seems that Jim Hensley has made several improvements over the original Hensley Arrow. I also want the best brake controller available for this rig and trailer.
I have read a lot of threads on these brake controllers, but none seem to address the key claims by Hensley that the TruControl handles declines and inclines and is current compensated and compensates for electric brake fade. Some posts state that the TruControl is the same as the Prodogy P3 but as I understand it, the Prodogy does not have any of these capabilities.
Could anyone please clarify these points without "slamming" anyone's products? I just want facts, not vitriol and inuendo.
I know nothing about TruControl or Brakesmart so can't really make a comparison - what I can say though is that we've used a P2 for two camping seasons now - about 16,000 KM - and have absolutely no complaints - much improved performance over our previous Voyageur model - easy set-up - easy adjustment - informative display - consistent in its responses - smooth and reliable on hilly terrain.
I'd also be interested in knowing what additional benefits the other two models have.
Jay
__________________
Bambi - 2002 (The Toaster)
Pathfinder - 2003 (The Buggy)
P3 works very well with my electric/hydraulic (actibrake) brakes. 'Boost' and 'gain' easy to set... 'boost' setting compensates nicely for split-second brake delay... eliminates any hensley 'bump'
It seems like a lot of streamers have Prodigy's. They've been in production quite a while, and I don't recall ever reading any negative comments on them. We've had ours since 2005. I think the P3 is the "next generation", although if the Prodigy will fit your application it may be a little less money out of pocket.
I'd ask around and see if you can ride along with people who have the brake controllers you are considering. That way you can "test drive" them before deciding.
Dear Friends: Thanks for your replies to my question. I deeply appreciate your input. I found some more information on the difference between the Hensley TruControl Brake Controller and the others on TundraSolutions.com Following is a clip from posts by Ron Hensley (Hensley Mfg.) and others:
Essentially, the TruControl operates much like the Prodigy.The key difference is the automatic power out (gain). We simply use software to continuously adjust the gain as you drive. The input is taken from 1)acceleration, 2)incline/declilne angle and 3)acceleration around curves. We also measure amperage draw and adjust for brake heat.
What all that means is there is no "boost" or "gain" setting. You don't have to adjust between city and highway, which adds a measure of safety. I'm now convinced that 90% of the people towing have their gains set too low. I'm also convinced that a good number have at least one bad trailer brake and don't know it!
The TC is also built to handle 48 Amps of power. Overkill, yes, but the thing will never overheat or "drop off" after the initial power surge. I've talked to a lot of guys who tow the big fivers who say most controllers simply won't stop the trailer, just slow it down.
Also something on the "Hensley Bump", which I had heard about but did not understand. I hope this will be useful for those who are reading this thread.
The Hensley Bump is the result of the trailer overtaking the tow vehicle in stop or reduction of speed. The linkage allows the trailer to move forward, but not sway (anyone who hasn't seen it will be confused by that statement).
The reason the trailer overtakes the tow vehicle is because most RVers keep their gain set too low on the brake controller. That's so they don't get jerked around in city driving.
OOOPS! Forgive me, I accidentally clicked on the poll. Please delete my vote for the TruControl. I still haven't made up my mind.
By the way, I noticed that Sean Woodruff voted for the Brakesmart. As he has been stating that the TruControl is the same as the Prodogy P3, I understand that he prefers the Brakesmart to both the Prodogy and the TruControl. I value his opinion. I think the ProPride is superior to the Hensley Arrow due to its easier hitch/stinger insertion. But it seems to me like the TruControl is better than the Prodogy P3 or the Brakesmart due to its automatic adjustment of gain and boost. Also, I don't think I can use the Brakesmart as my vehicle has ABS. I'd be very interested in his comments on the absence of gain and boost settings on the TruControl and a technical description of why the Brakesmart is preferred over both of the others. I know there is some professional rivalry, but I'd like a purely technical answer if possible.
Secguru,
Be kind to everyone,
Last edited by Secguru; 11-02-2009 at 02:59 AM.
Reason: Added signoff
Forgot to ask also... Do any of these brake controllers work with exhaust brakes? I assume that one would want some small trailer braking applied with exhaust brake usage, or would that be a bad idea (Brake fade, etc.)? I'm just a guy trying to assure the best possible equipment combo.
I just found this information on the Escapees Forum. This was posted by Stanley P. Miller - April 16, 2008:
Where I saw the biggest difference in braking between the two types was when using the exhaust brake. The sensor style controllers applied a lot more trailer brake than I had applied truck brake because the sensor saw the total braking, not just what came from the service brakes. The ones that sense brake pressure or pedal position seem to not be confused by this.
Coming down a steep hill in 3rd with the RPMs up around 2200 coasting on the exhaust brake worked well but when I needed to slow for a corner and applied a light touch of the truck brakes (which activates the controller) I got some pretty heavy braking from the trailer instead of just a light touch. I didn't care for that as I felt it was going to leave me with much warmer trailer brakes than I cared for.
Dialing the controller back to deal with the extra braking was fine until I switched to 4th or the RPMs were different then the controller needed tweaked again. With my cable operated Jordan none of that was needed and I rarely fiddled with the adjustments, mostly just backing off a bit for wet roads.
You don't even want to deal with a timer based unit under conditions like these it will have your trailer brakes smoking in short order.
Thanks for all the great comments. And thanks for correcting me on the Tekonsha/Prodogy boo-boo.
After reviewing comments on my other thread (Hensley Bump = ProPride Bump?), I understand better why Sean Woodruff prefers the Brakesmart. The most important thing about a brake controller seems to be that it engages the trailer brakes before the truck brakes and that braking is proportional to the TV braking. This especially applies to exhaust braking where trailer push can creep up on you. I had this disconcerting experience once with my old Freightliner FL60 towing a 37 foot fiver on a hill in heavy rain, hence my concern about the Hensley bump. The Brakesmart would seem to be the best at assuring that the trailer brakes energize before the TV brakes due to its tie-in to the TVs brake reservoir, so it can be configured such that the trailer brakes engage before there is any significant pressure on the TV brakes.
Although as I understand it, the Hensley and ProPride both may both exhibit the bump, it should be viewed as a warning of improperly adjusted trailer brakes. Any trailer can jack-knife if the trailer starts pushing the TV (happens to big-rigs doesn't it?). Hensley and PP hitches are unique in that they give an advance indication of the push (and that bump can also break the TVs rear tires loose in a turn, causing a nearly instant rather than gradual jack-knife condition).
So my conclusion is: ProPride with Brakesmart controller, with Tekonsha P3 being a close second.
I'd appreciate any further comments correcting any improper conclusions I may have drawn. The expertise and experience available on the Airstream Forums is a great help to everyone. Thanks so very much.
Well, I have spent a bunch of time last night and this morning reading about the BrakeSmart controller. I didn't know it existed before this thread came along. It is significantly more money than the other controllers, but I am convinced it is worth it. I think it is a much more technically sound approach to controlling the braking on a large trailer. I am going to give myself a few more days research time and if I don't uncover any negatives, I will order one. My wife and I decided this trailer is a long term investment, so spread out over time the cost doesn't seem that bad.
Regards,
Ken
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Hi, the brand name is Tekonsha. No Prodogy P-3
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