Brake Controller types

swedish-fish · Mar 22, 2008

I'm having a brake controller installed on my 2003 Ford Ranger on monday. Since it's not prewired, I'm just having the shop do it for $200. They want to install a Reese 83501 brakeman.

From what I've read on this forum, the proportional controllers are the way to go over time based. I'm astounded that the trailer shop didn't really know what I was talking about when I suggested a proportional or inertia based system.

My question is, will I regret the Reese brakeman? I'm going to really depend on all four brakes operating smoothly on my 16' trailer pulled by a Ranger. The Reese brakeman ad boasts about being solid state and able to be mounted in any orientation, so I don't think it's inertia based. Is it time based?

Jimbrown · Mar 22, 2008

I had one of those for pulling a two horse trailer. It is timed based. It works OK. It kinda touchy on the adjustments. The adjusting sliders are small. The smoothnes of all brakes working together has to do with the brakes not the controller. As I don't think you are going to be pulling anything really heavy with a ranger it should work OK for you. There ae better more expensive units but once you get feel for how it should be set it will do OK. Personally I use the manual braking slide as much as the automatic mode.

swedish-fish · Mar 22, 2008

Thanks, you're right I'm not pulling nearly what the trailer is rated for. The tractor and trailer together weigh about 3300 lbs. I figure it'll work OK for the 5 or 6 times a year I move the tractor. I suppose I could always upgrade in the future if I'm unhappy with it.

MACDABS · Mar 23, 2008

I am not being ignorant , but I have owned several Rangers I can't see how you could tow something that weighs in at 1500lbs not alone 3300lbs with a Ranger? The brakes on a Ranger with a load in the bed on a steep grade are scary enough . Good luck and please do not tow near my wife and kids.

Macdabs

swedish-fish · Mar 23, 2008

Well, Happy Easter to you too!

Don't worry, I'll be extremely careful. I bought a 16' trailer with brakes on 4 wheels at the recommendation of nearly everyone here.
My trips are limited to 3-5 miles away and no expressways. Wouldn't this be safer than a single axle 3000 lb GVWR trailer which I've used in the past?

If it doesn't work out, I know I could easily sell the trailer for what I bought it for.

bjcsc · Mar 23, 2008

I've used a bunch of different controllers made by just about everybody, including Reese. I'm now using a Tekonsha Prodigy and will never use anything but. The difference is much more than I expected. By far, it's the smoothest operating and micro-adjustable controller I've ever used...

TheDingy · Mar 24, 2008

Go with a proportinal one. I am glad we no longer have to deal with this, the new built in controllers in the chevrolet trucks are great.

KeithInSpace · Mar 24, 2008

bjcsc said:
...Tekonsha Prodigy ...the smoothest operating and micro-adjustable controller I've ever used...

Both my brother and Dad have used several other brake controllers and tow siginificant loads (Dad a 37' 5th wheel and brother a 24' long enclosed trailer for his 2005 Mustang show car). They have both sang their praises of the Prodigy unit.

I have purchased my controller for my very-soon trailer purchase...and I got a Tekonsha P3, the latest and greatest and their first follow-on unit to the wonderful Prodigy. I purchased from etrailers for $159...the Prodigy is available for $119. Both with free 2nd day shipping.

I would get either of those and probably wouldn't consider any other.

One nice thing about the inertia/proportional Tekonsha system is their ability to simulate an adjustable "surge" when you begin braking. It helps keep the trailer behind you and gives you that added confidence that the trailer brakes are doing their job. A Ranger isn't the biggest tow vehicle in the world and you'd probably appreciate a feature like this. My Brother certainly appreciates it even when towing with his Dodge 3500 Diesel Duallie.

swedish-fish · Mar 24, 2008

It's interesting that you decided on the P3 over the original Prodigy. I'm curious to know how you like it with your new trailer once you get it.

Well, the installation went smoothly today. All the wires they ran are inside corrugated sleeves for protection and it looks like a very professional job. At least now I can get the trailer home. If I get a prodigy or the prodigy P3 in the future, I may appreciate having the cheaper brakeman for use on the tractor for safer hay rides (manually operated).

KeithInSpace · Mar 24, 2008

swedish-fish said:
It's interesting that you decided on the P3 over the original Prodigy.

A bit of a risk going with a new thing over a known element. I figured I could only go so wrong...$119 or so...the plug is the same, so I can actually tow to my Dad's house using the P3, then swap it for his Prodigy and see if there is any difference. If there is, better, worse, or same, I'll be sure to support it.

Looks like the wife wants to put the trailer purchase off until we get our final tax number in. Oh well. She just sent it to the CPA today, so hopefully it won't take more than a couple of weeks. Bummer.

I LOVE the idea of mounting a cheap brake controller on the tractor. I've worried about what would happen if the trailer got away from me when mounted on the tractor, but that small addition would be GREAT. I don't think an expensive one would work well...just a cheapie that you can reach down and modulate with one hand. SO COOL!