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Old 01-04-2009, 04:09 PM   #1
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Brake Controllers

Just wondering what everyone is using for a brake controller for their trailer.
I will probably use a Tekonsha Prodigy, does anyone have one and if so
what do you like or dislike about it?
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Old 01-04-2009, 05:56 PM   #2
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Re: Brake Controllers


Prodigy is what I have, installed for me.
I have no credentials to evaluate it myself, but it seems to have a great reputation.
Probably one advantage over others is that it can be mounted in an arc of angles, not just level, which allows a tidy installation.
I got a good price at etrailer.com

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Old 01-04-2009, 06:06 PM   #3
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Re: Brake Controllers

I have a prodigy as well.. It seems to do the job, what I was told is that it can sense the amount of pressure on the brake and apply the necessary pressure to the trailer brakes.. so far so good for me, but who the heck knows..
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Old 01-05-2009, 06:50 PM   #4
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Re: Brake Controllers

I've had the "normal" controller (for a Casita) and I then got the Prodigy....no comparison. The Prodigy is about as automatic as possible, while with the other one, I was always "setting" the sensitivity.
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Old 01-05-2009, 08:01 PM   #5
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Re: Brake Controllers


OK. I need to discuss the sensitivity issue.

The instructions with the Prodigy tell you to drive down the road and then manually apply the brake to the trailer, using the lever on the Prodigy. Apparently you want to see that the wheels on the trailer lock when the lever is fully applied. I've done that a couple times, but finding a road where it's safe to do so isn't easy ( the trailer brake lights do not light up when you apply the brakes manually) and you don't want to get rear ended. I haven't actually seen the wheels lock, but the braking is certainly effective.

I've had the sensitivity adjusted between 4.3 and 6.2 and can't really tell the difference. I'm not sure if I have it set to optimum or not. On the other hand, it seems to work at either end of that spectrum.

I just want some reassurance....

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Old 01-05-2009, 09:30 PM   #6
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Re: Brake Controllers

With my "regular" controller (manual set), I seemed to be always fiddling with the setting because the brakes would "catch" in different conditions. Indicating to me that I had the controller too tight. Then I'd let up on it , and it seemed I was braking mostly with my vehicle brakes. It seemed to me to be different each time I was out. Now, the controller was one mounted by my hitch guy who said he used it all the time on horse trailers.
The Prodigy I set once, just like you did, and from that point on, I never changed it and it seemed to work great. Maybe I just didn't have "the touch" with the first one, but I sure do appreciate the simplicity of the Prodigy. Must be why it cost appreciatively more?
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Old 01-05-2009, 09:47 PM   #7
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Re: Brake Controllers


What's your tow vehicle and what's the setting you have on your Prodigy?

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Old 01-06-2009, 05:09 AM   #8
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Re: Brake Controllers

The "regular" controller was on an '07 Jeep Wrangler (4 door). The Prodigy is on our Honda Pilot. We pulled a 17' Casita Freedom with it. The Casita sold in 3 hours last November after we ordered an Escape 5.0 which we are going to get in March. We'll be pulling that with an '09 Nissan Frontier, and I'm taking my Prodigy with me for installation. Sorry, I don't remember the setting. I set it when I bought the Casita, and never changed it, soooooo.......
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Old 01-06-2009, 08:37 PM   #9
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Re: Brake Controllers

I have the Prodigy, and on my previous tow vehicle had the Reese, I like the Prodigy better.
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Old 01-06-2009, 09:06 PM   #10
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Re: Brake Controllers

Well folks.... I bought the Prodigy.
Couldn't stand being the only one out there without one.
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Old 01-13-2009, 06:16 AM   #11
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Re: Brake Controllers

At the last trade show we attended there was a new brake controller being introduced. Made by Tekonsha (I think) it mounts on the trailer hitch and is remote control. All you have is a small hand-held contol in the cab that plugs into your 12v outlet. Lots of benefits to this new system.

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Old 01-13-2009, 09:06 AM   #12
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Re: Brake Controllers

Quote:
Originally Posted by reace
At the last trade show we attended there was a new brake controller being introduced. Made by Tekonsha (I think) it mounts on the trailer hitch and is remote control. All you have is a small hand-held contol in the cab that plugs into your 12v outlet. Lots of benefits to this new system.

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Boy these controllers are just like computers, just when you think you have the newest, best one a newer better one comes along.....
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Old 01-13-2009, 02:34 PM   #13
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Re: Brake Controllers

Don't worry Doug, the Prodigy is a GREAT controller. Besides, you'll need that power outlet for your GPS, computer, hot coffee maker, radar detector, etc. See, you really couldn't use the newest one anyway : - )
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Old 02-13-2009, 10:48 AM   #14
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Re: Brake Controllers

HERE is the Tekonsha Prodigy RF that Reace was referring to.

Does anyone have any experience, or knowledge, of the Tekonsha P3. It costs a bit more then the Prodigy which I have only heard good things about, here and elsewhere. I am likely going to pick up the Prodigy, but a just curious about the P3.
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Old 02-13-2009, 11:01 AM   #15
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Re: Brake Controllers

Hi Jim
I just bought the Prodigy, it has more features the we will ever use.
One nice feature is a snap in snap out cradle so you can remove it
when you don't have the trailer with you.
The P3 gives you the ability to switch between electric and electric over hydraulic
braking systems.... not anything we will be needing for our Escape.
For more info:-
http://www.tekonsha.com/product1.html
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Old 02-13-2009, 12:24 PM   #16
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Re: Brake Controllers

Thanks for that Doug. I went to their site and then did a bit of reviewing. It seems that the workings of the two units is primarily the same, it is just that the P3 does facilitate the electric over hydraulic, and has some more diagnostic things to it. It is nice that these models remove so easily for glove box storage. I will likely call their support at some point to talk to them, and see which harness is the right one for my car.
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Old 02-13-2009, 02:47 PM   #17
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Re: Brake Controllers

Jim the Prodigy comes with a plug, cable and wiring diagram,
your vehicle normally comes with a brake controller wiring harness
(the other end) in the glove box, you just have to connect them together (4 wires)
plug the unit in and your done.
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Old 02-13-2009, 06:01 PM   #18
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Re: Brake Controllers

Doug, Tekonsha offers harnesses that just plug in for many models of vehicles. They do cost a couple bucks more, but if it saves me a bit of time and hassle, it might be worth it. Tekonsha does not know for sure if the one they have for the 06-08 Ridgeline will fit on the 09 Pilot. I phoned the service department and my Honda dealer, and the guy tried looking it up, but could not tell me for sure that they use the same 4-pin plug on both models, but assumed they did. If it comes to it, I can easily get the one from Honda and splice it to the one Tekonsha supplies.

The fellow at Tekonsha said that basically what you get on the P3 over the Prodigy other than being able to use on electric over hydraulic systems, is that it has an LED display that can be changed to a bunch of colours to match the dash lights of the tow, and offers a few more diagnostics like battery/brake voltages.
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