Which Brake Controller

[jm2]

Hi,

Am about to pull an '80 AS from eastern NY state out to Cape Cod, and looking for any suggestion for a suitable Brake Controller.

We're driving an '08 F150 Lariat SC. Thanks in advance for your help!

- JMJM

[azflycaster]

Tekonsha makes the Prodigy and now the P3 controllers. They have cables for most trucks which makes the installation very easy. They are the most popular ones on the market. I have a Prodigy and it works very well for me.

[mustang]

I have used, Draw Tite. It is very affordable and reliable.

There are many brake controlers, all are good. I would advice staying away from the pendulum or inertia controlers myself.


Didnt Ford install one with there tow package??

[Gene]

Check with a Ford dealer for the brake controller option since you obviously don't have one installed (if you do, please see an eye doctor immediately) since I think it goes on the dashboard and you could actually see it when you are driving. I have a Prodigy and it works fine, but had to be installed at the bottom of the dash where it is hard to monitor and if you have to use the manual control in an emergency, you probably can't without losing steering control.

Gene

[John Geisen]

I recently purchased the Hensley Brake Controller. I believe it is called the "True Control". It is a little more money but like the Hensley Arrow, I think it is excellent quality. The nice thing about Hensley is they have great customer service and work closely with do-it-yourselfer's.

John Geisen

[moosetags]

We have two TV's one with the Prodigy and the other with the P3. The P3 is the best.

Brian

[Alumin8]

I have a 2005 GMC Denali PU. I bought the Prodigy unit online and it was a plug and play deal with the truck prewired for a brake controller. Attached it to the lower dash where I can adjust while on the move. Did the whole thing in the previous owner's driveway, attached the umbilical cord, checked lights and brakes and drove home. Haven't had a problem since 2006. Good luck.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, to the best of my memory F-150's don't have the brake controller option. So I would recommend a Tekonsha P-3. And you can be creative on mounting locations in some vehicles. I had my Airstream dealer install the Tekonsha Voyager in this little pocket area instead of under the dash. Later I replaced the Voyager with the P-3. I don't have the best view of the unit while driving, but it is very easy to find if I ever need to manually hit the trailer brakes. Click on picture for a larger view.

[jm2]

Thanks to all for your input.

The '08 F150 offers only the "trailer towing package" that does not include the brake controller. But they do give you a handy little plug-in harness to connect your controller with.

- JMJM

[reggiemon]

Hi, I dont mean to hijack the thread but are there any others out there with brake controller mounting suggestions/pictures. I am mounting one in a Montero and if I mount it under the dash, you cant see it or get to it easy. Thanks!

[BWH-Utah]

I use a Prodigy by Tekonsha with my 2006 Ford Explorer and 1965 Safari (22foot). Get the Ford wiring harness (~$13) and instillation is very easy. Just plug one end of the harness into the trailer brake connector under the dash of your Ford, and the other end of the harness plugs into the brake controller. At that point all electrical wiring for the brake controller is done. On my first trip I mounted the Prodigy to the top of the dash with duct tape (not recommended, but it worked very well), I now have it screwed to the dash, left side of the steering column. It brake controller is inertial (sences how much the tow vehical is slowing down) so you want it securly mounted.
The only other wering to check is the trailer connector to the back of the TV (7-prong connectors are the most common).
Happy towing, BWH

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by John Geisen

I recently purchased the Hensley Brake Controller. I believe it is called the "True Control". It is a little more money but like the Hensley Arrow, I think it is excellent quality. The nice thing about Hensley is they have great customer service and work closely with do-it-yourselfer's.

John Geisen

John, I'm with you on this one. Got the TruControl when I got the HAHA.
I've used a number of different BC's over the years and this has been the best hands down.

just MY opinion.