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Old 01-21-2017, 10:32 AM   #1
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Question Brake Controller

I am currently trying to decide on a brake controller for my 2016 4Runner and Escape 19 (July delivery). I am looking at Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and P3. Any recommendations will be appreciated and carefully considered.

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Old 01-21-2017, 11:04 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray B. View Post
I am currently trying to decide on a brake controller for my 2016 4Runner and Escape 19 (July delivery). I am looking at Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and P3. Any recommendations will be appreciated and carefully considered.

Thanks
I had the P2 on my prior truck, 2014 Tacoma SR5, and now have the P3 on my current 2016 TRD Sport. Both worked well. I find the P3 easier to set up and use. Also, it can store your settings if you tow different trailers. Either one should work with your 19'.
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Old 01-21-2017, 11:27 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray B. View Post
I am currently trying to decide on a brake controller for my 2016 4Runner and Escape 19 (July delivery). I am looking at Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and P3. Any recommendations will be appreciated and carefully considered.

Thanks
In terms of the Escape, the only difference between these two is going to be that the P3 has a nicer display and gives understandable information rather than codes. Surprisingly, they were both the same price on Amazon a few days ago when I bought mine, so I got the P3.
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Old 01-21-2017, 11:28 AM   #4
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I agree with Arnie. Tekonsha makes a quality controller, and either the P2 or P3 should serve you well. I like the P3 because of the display.
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Old 01-21-2017, 11:48 AM   #5
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Tekonsha also makes the Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller. It would not be necessary in your situation, but it has been used with good success by other members of the forum. If your vehicle is wired the P2 or P3 is a better choice.
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Old 01-21-2017, 12:13 PM   #6
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I am thinking of getting either the P2 or P3 for my 2012 Tacoma. Is either unit really 10" long? I am wondering where you installed yours? e-trailer has a video showing an almost vertical installation to the left of the steering column where the fuse access/coin tray is. It seems to me that the controller would hang down quite low there, interfering with access to the parking brake pedal. So I'm thinking that there must be a better way!
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Old 01-21-2017, 12:36 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by curru View Post
I am thinking of getting either the P2 or P3 for my 2012 Tacoma. Is either unit really 10" long? I am wondering where you installed yours? e-trailer has a video showing an almost vertical installation to the left of the steering column where the fuse access/coin tray is. It seems to me that the controller would hang down quite low there, interfering with access to the parking brake pedal. So I'm thinking that there must be a better way!
This is where I installed mine on my 2014 SR5. Your 2012 should be similar.
Edit:
Hmm. I guess I don't know how to post photos. It was in the little coin cubby just to the left of the steering wheel. I took it out, cut out the back to run the harness, etc. Pretty clean install. I'll post photos once I figure out how.
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Old 01-21-2017, 12:39 PM   #8
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Your "this" did not produce a link, unless I'm missing something, which is entirely possible
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Old 01-21-2017, 12:40 PM   #9
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Go here for illustrated instruction on posting photos:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...otos-9057.html
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Old 01-21-2017, 12:43 PM   #10
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Quote:
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Your "this" did not produce a link, unless I'm missing something, which is entirely possible
Edit:
Hmm. I guess I don't know how to post photos. It was in the little coin cubby just to the left of the steering wheel. I took it out, cut out the back to run the harness, etc. Pretty clean install. I'll post photos once I figure out how.
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Old 01-21-2017, 05:08 PM   #11
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Photos would be great! It looks like on my year Taco the cubbies are reversed. I have a flip down one on the left, behind which is a fuse panel and not a lot of room. On the right is an open tray/cubby that looks to be removable. Hope there is enough room behind it!
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Old 01-21-2017, 05:17 PM   #12
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One of the criteria for mounting is that you be able to reach the lever to brake the trailer only, and do that without looking for it.
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Old 01-21-2017, 06:21 PM   #13
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Good point. So on the right in my truck would be good, since that's usually my "do other stuff hand" (radio, climate control, that kind of stuff). What are the dimension of the P2 or 3? On Amazon I'm never sure if the dimensions they give is for the actual product itself, or the package.
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Old 01-21-2017, 06:43 PM   #14
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I have the P2 in my RAV4. It measures approximately 3 1/2" X 5 1/2".
It is situated above my right knee. Only issue I have is that I have too much stuff on my key ring and it hangs down, obstructing the display.
It is mounted on the underside of the dash. If it were on the left, I could see banging my knee on it getting in and out.
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Prodigy P2.jpg  
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Old 01-21-2017, 07:22 PM   #15
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Thanks for the photo. In the truck there is a cubby in the area above where you mounted yours. That's where I will mount mine, I think. The dimensions you give are much smaller, especially length wise, than what it says on Amazon or even the Tekonsha website. So I assume they measure the package. At 5.5 long, it should be easy to find a spot.
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Old 01-21-2017, 07:42 PM   #16
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I used a tape measure, but I sorta measured by feel. Width is correct, but I didn't crawl into the footwell for the length. Thinking you might need to take the cord at the back into account.
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Old 01-22-2017, 09:42 AM   #17
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Thanks for going to the trouble to measure your controller! Very helpful.
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:03 AM   #18
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I had the P2 and now have a P3 - they are both excellent. I do like the additional display information available on the P3, but I think functionally they both seem the same.
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Old 01-22-2017, 11:05 AM   #19
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I went with p2 very happy with it, I pulled out the little coin pocket on the right side of the steering wheel on my 2015 Tacoma drills a small hole for the cable and put the little coin pocket back in
Fits perfectly, a 3 minute installation.
The rest of the install took about 30 minutes of trying to locate the toyato connection under the dash
I took it to my local dealer and they had a tech locate and connect it up
At no charge
Perfect controller for me ( I know this is an ,Escape site) my trailer is a 17 foot Casitas deluxe..... My wife and I really want an Escape so I'm always looking at this site
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Old 01-22-2017, 05:29 PM   #20
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I have the P3 and installed it in the pocket in front of the shifter.
The cable fit fine, I did have to add to the white ground. I grounded to the screw that holds the kick panel in. If I wanted to contort myself into knots I might have found a place to attach the ground wire that did not require adding wire.
I bored a hole in the side by heating a 1/2 inch piece of copper pipe and pushing it through. Since the hole was smaller than the plug I had to take the plug apart to push it through.


Quote:
Originally Posted by curru View Post
I am thinking of getting either the P2 or P3 for my 2012 Tacoma. Is either unit really 10" long? I am wondering where you installed yours? e-trailer has a video showing an almost vertical installation to the left of the steering column where the fuse access/coin tray is. It seems to me that the controller would hang down quite low there, interfering with access to the parking brake pedal. So I'm thinking that there must be a better way!
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2017-01-22 18.12.16.jpg  
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