Which Brake Controller???? - Page 2

JohnG · 07-25-2004, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed & Debbie

Thanks Silverback. I have a digital type with the 'time-delay-to-full-power' circuit. It was a quick fix addition when first purchased. Need something better for the same reasons as posted above.
I've seen the Brakesmart type? (not sure if there is another brand) that ties to the master cyl. & was impressed. The Prodigy has also been a serious consideration. I'll be getting a new controller before our trip to Jackson Center in Aug.; appx. 2500 mi. tround trip. I'll post which one I get and opine on it's merits &/or faults.

Ed & Debbie I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3, Brakesmart, Jordon, or Prodigy. I have had a drawtite before and never had a problem. Now I use a Jordon and have fell in love with it so I guess I am a little bit leaned that way on giving advise.

blrpix · 07-25-2004, 10:59 PM

At this point I am leaning toward the Jordan or the Prodigy...I don't want to hook up to the master cyclynder if I don't have too...Jordan sounds fairly easy to hook up as I am pretty handy and it makes sense to me...even easier would be the Prodigy...plug and play in my rig, but then you have to program it, so it might take as long or longer than the Jordan...hmmmm

Eveyone here rocks...thanks all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnG

What I like best about the Jordon is the fact that it works in conjunction with your brake pedal. The more brake you apply the more brakes the Jordon will apply.
It is very simple to hook up and use.

The brakesmart works simular, but instead of hooking to the brake pedal it hooks into the actual brake line reading the pressure you use to brake and applying thusly. This is also a good system, but a bit more complicated to hook up.

The Profigy is far above the other motion sensitive brake controllors and it is simple to hook up also.

uwe · 07-25-2004, 11:11 PM

Well, I own the tekonsha Prodigy, and I feel that it's ok, but not great.
Wherever I go, I have to start out in stop and go through or around Los Angeles, and this Prodigy is not a lot of fun in stop and go. Frequent adjustments are necessary to keep it from jerking the brakes just before stopping. It makes a difference if stopping from 15mph, or 25mph, or 40mph. I hate this thing in traffic conditions.
Here are a few factors I feel are important to consider:
I tow with a Suburban 1500, AD1997. Weak brakes to begin with. I must have good Trailer braking to feel safe. The Prodigy in this case seems out of it's league, because my rig makes it very obvious what the brake controller does.
If you tow with a Tow Vehicle that has better brakes ( or real ones, for that matter),
then the Prodigy will work fine, because the Tow truck can do more of the work.
My Prodigy works excellent on country roads or normal travel, mind you. I am very pleased with it's performance other than in stop and go, or in city traffic. My trailer brakes are new, and adjusted properly.
So, I feel it's a 50/50 solution. I am not one of the die hard Prodigy customers, for sure. I will try the Jordan Ultima next.

JohnG · 07-26-2004, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

Well, I own the tekonsha Prodigy, and I feel that it's ok, but not great.
Wherever I go, I have to start out in stop and go through or around Los Angeles, and this Prodigy is not a lot of fun in stop and go. Frequent adjustments are necessary to keep it from jerking the brakes just before stopping. It makes a difference if stopping from 15mph, or 25mph, or 40mph. I hate this thing in traffic conditions.
Here are a few factors I feel are important to consider:
I tow with a Suburban 1500, AD1997. Weak brakes to begin with. I must have good Trailer braking to feel safe. The Prodigy in this case seems out of it's league, because my rig makes it very obvious what the brake controller does.
If you tow with a Tow Vehicle that has better brakes ( or real ones, for that matter),
then the Prodigy will work fine, because the Tow truck can do more of the work.
My Prodigy works excellent on country roads or normal travel, mind you. I am very pleased with it's performance other than in stop and go, or in city traffic. My trailer brakes are new, and adjusted properly.
So, I feel it's a 50/50 solution. I am not one of the die hard Prodigy customers, for sure. I will try the Jordan Ultima next.

Maybe it's just that you feel your trailer brakes so much better at the slower speeds. I know I would hate to adjust my controller for each traffic situation........Just a thought.

remcolent · 07-26-2004, 03:06 AM

I have the Jordan controler
I have a 1957 imperial as tow car with just a single master brake cilinder
In this case I prefer the cable to the brake pedal If there is something wrong with the brakes of the car I have full controll over the trailor brakes without needing to use the emergency button on the controler
remco r van lent the netherlands

85MH325 · 07-26-2004, 07:57 AM

Jordan owners... a question... many of the new Fords offer the adjustable pedal contraption. Would the Jordan work with adjustable pedals?

BTW, I have a Tekonsha Prodigy in my Toyota pickup and a Tekonsha Sentinel in my Excursion. Both perform adequately. I can't rave about either. Their draw for me was their ease of installation.

Roger

Tin Hut · 07-26-2004, 08:14 AM

I have not installed the Brakesmart yet on the new TV. I bought it after advise from friends that had looked into it. It eliminates brake fade....sometimes on my Prodigy I end up using the lever to add more pressure when coming off an off ramp or slowing. I have the trailer brakes set to lead the car but I guess that is what brake fade is. The Brakesmart doesn't fade. Also, the Brakesmart will alert you if you have a brake disconnect (wiring or voltage irregularity). When you read the install directions on their site it's pretty simple to hook up. Free software upgrades as well. I'll let you know how they compare after I install.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blrpix

I am seriously considering th Prodigy or the Brakesmart now that I have been poking around reading everyone opinions...I don't care so much about the extra $ as long as I don't have to buy another one in a month!

Tin Hut...since you have both, do you have a preference?

Thanks again all...

Silver Bullet · 07-31-2004, 12:28 AM

I've had two electronic controllers in the past 18 yrs. (the names withheld to avoid controversy) nyther to my liking. Last year I installed, what some would call a dinosaur, an old hydro controller. Now I can do this because I still use a vehicle that does NOT have ABS. Folks, if you have a tow vehicle that can use this DO IT!! You'll have brakes you thought never exisisted.
If you have ABS the next best is the Brakesmart system. After reviewing the sceme's it is no different than the old hydro system. Instead of using fluid as a transmitter it uses an electronical signal from the master cylinder via the sensor. Don't be scared, master cylinders aren't that cantankerous.

Oscar

RivetED · 07-31-2004, 01:02 AM

There are several excellent brake controllers out there. With some research, including many solicited opinions, IMHO: the Prodigy, Jordan, & Brakesmart are the acme of the group.

I've had some reservations with Brakesmart's direct connect to the master cyl. but have concluded this is the one for my upgrade (currently: digital with simple time-delay). I'll post my experiences with the install & it's operation after our upcoming 2400+ mi. trip. - return late Aug.

RivetED · 08-02-2004, 10:58 PM

I bought a Brakesmart today to be installed for our trip to Jackson Center later this week. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with either the Prodigy, Jordan, or Brakesmart, but I've overcome my fear/concern for tieing into the mstr. cyl. & went that way. I'll be towing to New Eng. after J/C & expect about 4 - 5K mi. total trip. I'll let you know my impression when we return.

silverback · 08-02-2004, 11:31 PM

I just reviewed the PDF file for the GM install. That's a fair bit of surgery. Does anyone know (rumor is acceptable) if attaching 3rd party devices to the master cylinder could cause warranty problems? I know there are already some recall and warranty issues with brakes on 2500 HD's. Also, my Prodigy is pretty much set and forget as far as brake feel. I've never had to reset it in city traffic.
Ken

wingfoot1 · 08-03-2004, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PWRSTRK

We bought the BrakeSmart about three weeks ago directly from the company. It's sophisticated and we are thrilled with it (towed 2500 miles over eight days) and we'd do it again in a minute.

Tom and Frank

What did you have to pay for the BrakeSmart and did you install yourself?

PWRSTRK · 08-03-2004, 09:16 PM

We paid the company's web price... either $329 or $349. They were very kind and shipped overnight (we paid). Did not install ourselves... a local 'hitch' shop did it for us. It cost less than $100 to install, that surprised me.

Tom (and Frank)

stl4519 · 08-03-2004, 10:50 PM

I have been reading this thread with interest. I have a Sentinel controller installed by my dealer when I purchased my unit. No one has mentioned this one at all. Does anyone know the pros & cons about this controller. Any feedback would be appreciated. We all learn as we go at least that has been my experience.