trailer brakes and control head

[workinallthetime]

need some advice on what brand of brake control unit to buy for an 18' trailer with single axel brakes

the trailer has brakes and have never been used, think i should tear em down and check them out maybe even power them up to see if they work? Im handy with a wrench so its no big deal.

thanks guys

 

[RayH]

There are many quality controllers. I think right now the Tekonsha Prodigy (also known as the Intella-stop ultra by DrawTite) is considered to be a very good controller and the best bang for the buck.
I installed an Intella-stop in my Cherokee last year but have yet to use it. I wish I could give you some real world experience. Im sure someone can because the Prodigy/Intella-stop is popular.

 

[R_Walter]

I've got the Prodigy installed in my Dodge CTD and it works very well.

 

[Builder]

Workin,

I have the Prodigy in my GMC and it's sweet. Spend the extra $12 and get the GMC pigtail and it's just plug & play, no splicing of wires. I never liked splicing b/c there's always a chance a butt connector fails, drop in voltage, etc.

 

[Shimon]

I've used many types and find the best is the Jordan Brake Controller. It attaches a cable from your brake pedal to the brake controller so you get true proportional braking. I can't say enough good stuff about this unit. I used to have a Tekonsha Voyageur (it wasn't very good) and I've driven with the Prodigy which is very good but I think the Jordan is better (especially braking while going down a wet hill).

 

[Shimon]

Before all the Prodigy guys jump all over me...let me explain why the Jordan controller is better.

1. It always performs as you expect it whether going up or downhill, accelerating or decelerating, going forwards or backwards because it mechanically reads how hard you press your brakes (through the cable) and gives you that amount of proportional braking. The Prodigy decides how much braking you need via its computer. The Jordan gives you what you want the Prodigy gives you what it thinks you need.

2. Ammeter shows you how much power is being used by the trailer brakes so you can immediately see how your trailer brakes are working or if one is bad (if you have four brakes on the trailer then this is a great feature...because you may not realize you have a bad magnet or connection until too late).

3. The continuity lite shows you if you are properly connected to the brake system.

The Prodigy is a very good controller but I think the Jordan is better. I've owned and used both and I sold my Prodigy on E-bay because the Jordan really feels and works better. The Prodigy is easier to install because it can be plug-n-play and with the Jordan you have to install a bracket on your brake pedal and the controller needs to be mounted in a certain way to make sure the cable can reach the controller without binding. But other than being a little more work to install...it's worth it.

I'm not saying that people should get rid of their Prodigy controllers (because it is very good) but if you are in the market for one, I think the Jordan will provide better performance. And don't knock the Jordan unless you've tried it.

 

[Builder]

I think the Jordan is better, too. It has some disadvantages, though.

1. More expensive
2. More difficult & time consuming to install
3. Needs adjustment
4. Cable can be vulnerable to damage

Overall, I think the Prodigy is 90% as good and considering it can be purchased, installed and performing well in about an hour or 2, it's great for 95% of people who buy them. I think the Jordan is better for the perfectionist with more money & time to spend.

My friend has a Jordan on his Superduty and I swear, he's constantly under the dash monkeying with the Jordan cable, trying to get it "just right".

 

[Shimon]

The Jordan is about $25 more than the Prodigy but it looks like they are currently out of stock anyway until the newer model comes out.

As for messing with the cables...if you install it correctly the first time as per the manual you should not have any issues. I installed mine and haven't touched it in 5 years. I do remember that it was a bit of a pain to install because working down under the dash and with the brake pedal is not comfortable.

 

[workinallthetime]

thanks builder, im thinking i will go with the prodigy since you can not add the factory set up off the new 3/4 and 1 tons if not ordered with it. i did find that all the wires are there under the dash and at the fuse block so all i have to do is wire it up ( heat shrink but connectors work great, or solder). At 6 foot 2 i hate having something for my leg to get aginst, and hat drilling into the knee bolster but whats a man to do.

 

[Builder]

Wouldn't it be sweet if the factory set-up from the '08's could be added to older trucks?

 

[workinallthetime]

Wouldn't it be sweet if the factory set-up from the '08's could be added to older trucks?

yes it would but there is actually a TSB out about that that clearly states it can not be added

 

[Dougster]

Workin, I have the Prodigy in my GMC and it's sweet. Spend the extra $12 and get the GMC pigtail and it's just plug & play, no splicing of wires. I never liked splicing b/c there's always a chance a butt connector fails, drop in voltage, etc.

Dan - The Builder is right. I bought my Prodigy online for under $100 (plus shipping - no sales tax) minus a $20.00 mail-in rebate. I then went out to the local trailer store and bought the 3' plug & play cable for GM for $11.95 so I would have a neat install and no splices. I used the clamshell mount and 3M pressure sensitive tape and positioned it on a flat spot right above the 4WD shifter for manual use with my right hand. If you do this, be sure to clean both surfaces with rubbing alcohol (or Vodka!) before applying tape. Entire thing was complete in 14 minutes... a new record for slow, old me... including adding the 40 amp j-fuse. Works sweet and costs mini-bucks. I love the manual lever too. It doesn't get any better than that.

Dougster

 

[Builder]

Lookie how I mounted mine-I'm not a smoker, so the ash tray opening was perfect!

 

[Dougster]

Lookie how I mounted mine-I'm not a smoker, so the ash tray opening was perfect!

Oh come on Duane! You can do better than that! Wires showing? No ashtray to hold spare change?

You just wait... I'll post some pix tomorrow of a *REAL* class installation!!! I'm sure you'll want to duplicate mine the minute you see it!

Dougster

 

[Builder]

Oh come on Duane! You can do better than that! Wires showing? No ashtray to hold spare change?

You just wait... I'll post some pix tomorrow of a *REAL* class installation!!! I'm sure you'll want to duplicate mine the minute you see it!

Dougster

Wires show....yeah....I guess it could look a little neater, but the spare change goes in the little nook under your flip-up center console lid!

One other thing: I switched from the portable cradle to the permanent mount....much stronger.

 

[Dougster]

Wires show....yeah....I guess it could look a little neater, but the spare change goes in the little nook under your flip-up center console lid! One other thing: I switched from the portable cradle to the permanent mount....much stronger.

Okay... Here we go with a real "class" installation!

Note that the thick cable conduit and connector you see in the pix is for my snowplow controller... which I purposely left extra long for easier controller positioning.

Is this a neat 14-minute install job or what???

Dougster

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I have used a prodigy for our Suburban and a horse trailer for two years. It is great! I wanted something foolproof so when I am working and my wife is towing I didn't have to worry about her. Best price I found was RVwholesalers.com They also sell the wiring harnesses. I just helped a friend install in his 07 avalanche yesterday.