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03-28-2009, 05:31 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member 
1978 25' Tradewind
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 13
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Which brake controller system should I purchase?
I am a new member having just recently purchased a 1978 Trade Wind. My tow vehicle is a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. I contacted a few trailer shops in my area and received a few similar recommendations from these shops. Can you help me determine what is best for this trailer-tow vehicle-new trailer driver set-up.
Option 1: MANUAL braking system (Valley Journey HD Digital - $90) or
Option 2: PROPORTIONAL braking system (Valley Odyssey $129)
Most shops recommended I go with the less expensive MANUAL brake as they have “less issues with these failing” and they are more flexible to use by the driver.
Please advise on the type of braking system (Manual vs Proportional) and the manufacturer name Valley vs other Braking system Manufacturer/models.
Thank you in advance.
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03-28-2009, 05:43 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,148
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My Prodigy proportional brake controller has been installed 3+ years and has worked flawlessly. Easy self-install.
mike
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03-28-2009, 05:48 PM
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#3
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Site Team

2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,702
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I think that the Tekonsha Prodigy (older) or P3 are great brake controllers. They are by far the most popular ones in the RV industry. If your Toyota came with the towing package, you should be able to just plug it into the SUV's wiring plug with the Toyota adapter.
I have used the Prodigy for several years and am very satisfied with it's performance. It is a proportional brake controller.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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03-28-2009, 06:16 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member 
1978 25' Tradewind
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 13
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Thank you all of the prompt replies. Apparently 2001, was the last year the the Sequoia WAS NOT prewired for this brake. Local quotes are $175 to install. Does that sound fair?
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03-28-2009, 06:58 PM
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#5
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moderator
Commercial Member

2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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I am also very happy with the prodigy brake controller. $175 dollars for installation sounds like 1 1/2hours to install. Probably right. I dont want the kid from Circuit city doing mine so if i couldnt do it myself i would pay for the installation.
Vinnie
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03-28-2009, 07:13 PM
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#6
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,813
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We have the Prodigy and it works fine. If you're good with auto/trailer wiring, you can probably do this, and with a 30 year old trailer, no doubt you'll have to learn about wiring sooner or later. I don't know if you'll have to upgrade the trailer umbilical and the receptacle at the back of the Sequoia, but make sure you know which pin does what and if there is one there for a brake controller.
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03-28-2009, 09:15 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
2022 25' International
NEW PRAGUE
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
I have used the Prodigy for several years and am very satisfied with it's performance. It is a proportional brake controller.
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I second this.
__________________
"I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
'64 Safari Resoration Blog ("May"):
https://ts8501.blogspot.com/
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03-28-2009, 09:43 PM
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#8
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"Cloudsplitter"

2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,127
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This is the best I've used..... Tru-Control Brake Controller
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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03-29-2009, 02:41 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member 
2005 19' International CCD
T
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 203
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I have a Tekonsha Prodigy on my 2000 Tundra. (Same basic frame as a Sequoia.) I had camping world do the install. No issues after 2 years.
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03-29-2009, 08:20 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member 
1973 27' Overlander
Southport (Panama City)
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 426
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I have the Prodigy on my 99 Surburban installed by U-Haul no problems after 2 years If I remember correctly it cost about 150.00 to install as they had to manually wire in the connections....SAM
__________________
Your Friend Sam In (Southport) Panama City Florida
Air#15607 TAC FL-2
Good Sam (LifeTime Member)
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03-29-2009, 10:55 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member 
2013 27' FB Classic
Clermont
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 432
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We also have a Prodigy controller and as with the other posts have not had any problems. We have had the controller for 5 or so years and have moved from one tow vehicle to another. $175 for installation doesn't sound bad considering the the wiring has to be done.
Tom
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03-29-2009, 10:56 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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Have had the Prodigy for 3 years now and love it. Was installed by the trailer shop where we bought the trailer for free in about 10 minutes.
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03-30-2009, 02:38 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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The Airstream dealer installed a Prodigy on our old Chevy pickup in 2005 for free (I purchased Prodigy for about $85 on the Internet, separately). Last year, I transferred it to our new Tundra, which only required a $10 adapter harness. Absolutely, no problems with it.
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05-10-2009, 09:58 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member 
Vintage Kin Owner
Warrenton
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 168
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Check out Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924 for some really cool install videos of how to do it. I plan on running the wiring for a P3 in all the trucks this week.
... I dropped about $350 for all the stuff, but I like having many options of tow vehicle available  Maybe I have too many trucks! Nah.
__________________
Trailer: 1948 Spartan Mansion 30'
Tow Rig 1: Hers 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Tow Rig 2: His 2010 Porsche Cayenne S
Others: 1971 Chevy C-10 with 5.3 LS and T5 conversion, 1983 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer (FSJ) with 5.3 LS and SM465 conversion, 1979 Porsche 911SC
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05-11-2009, 01:00 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master 

2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,438
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 Hi, my trailer came with a Tekonsha Voyager; It worked pretty good and I never had any problems with it, But I wanted something with numbers on the display so I could set it exactly where I wanted it instead of going by feel. I now have the Tekonsha P-3.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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