Posted 2007-05-03 6:00 AM (#60342) Subject: What type of brake box should I buy?
New User
Posts: 3
Hi all,
am new to this forum and have a question. Searched the archives and couldn't find what I was looking for.
I have a '97 Expedition (I know it's not a great hauling vehicle but all I have at the moment). GVWR is 7200lbs, front GAWR 3450, Rear GAWR 4128. Ford website says it can safely tow 8,000lbs.
I just bought a '99 Trailet Thorospirit 2 horse bumper pull. Tag says front GAWR 3500lbs, rear GAWR 3599, GWVR/PNBV 3175 K, 7,000 lb but title says weight/fee category 3200.
I have a weight disribution hitch and now just need a brake controller. Searching through controller info on this forum, I'm assuming that proportional controllers are better? Can anyone guide me as to what brake box to get for the above setup?
Posted 2007-05-04 8:40 AM (#60395 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Regular
Posts: 79
The Prodigy is generally considered to be the best controller on the market. Although I've also had good experiences with DrawTite. They have a lifetime warranty.
Posted 2007-05-05 11:11 PM (#60448 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
The best controller on the market is the BRAKESMART hands down. If you want your trailer to stop in unison with your truck in all conditions get the Brakesmart. Once you get one you will never go back. I don't sell them I just use it and love it.
Posted 2007-05-07 8:52 PM (#60538 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
New User
Posts: 3
Thank you everybody. I'm looking into both the Prodigy and the Brakesmart and have a call into Brakesmart and am waiting for their recommendation for my vehicle and trailer.
What's the difference between the Prodigy and whichever one the Brakesmart people recommend?
I need to be wary of what I put on as even though the trailer is within easy limits of my truck weight wise with just one horse in it, it feels really heavy to me when I'm towing.
Posted 2007-05-08 11:10 AM (#60562 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Member
Posts: 14
For those of you that love the Prodigy, check out the new Prodigy P3! It is even better than the original and has the same lifetime warranty. After using the Prodigy for years I did'nt think you could get any better, but it is!
Posted 2007-05-08 11:48 AM (#60565 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
New User
Posts: 3
Thanks all. After speaking with the Brakesmart guy, their controller sounds way more compatable with dummie me than the Prodigy. Once installed, I'll never have to touch it again for any reason even if I have to hit the brakes hard and fast and it will beep if anything goes wrong with my trailer brakes to let me know which is right up my alley! Even though it's way more pricey, I think it will give me a better peace of mind and allow easier braking than the Prodigy which works on a vaultage system (I think I got that right anyway - am on information overload!).
Once again, thank-you as I was totally cofused as to what controller to get.
Posted 2007-05-08 5:12 PM (#60580 - in reply to #60562) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by dustnem on 2007-05-08 12:10 PM
For those of you that love the Prodigy, check out the new Prodigy P3! It is even better than the original and has the same lifetime warranty. After using the Prodigy for years I did'nt think you could get any better, but it is!
could you elaborate on "better"? looks to me the only big diff is the readout and the ability to use it with elec over hyd brakes??????? hardly worth $50 over the original, unless you have the elec/hyd brakes???????
Posted 2007-05-09 10:02 AM (#60605 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Member
Posts: 14
The P3 is only $30 over the Prodigy and right now there is a $20 mail in rebate so mine only equalled out to be $10 over the Prodigy. The read out screen will tell you exactly what is going on, unlike the Prodigy that just gave you clues. The troublshooting capabilities are much greater. With the Prodigy the stopping motion was fluent between truck and trailer, unless you had to really mash the brakes then you would feel the brakes grab. The P3 is even smoother and you never feel the brakes grab. I have also found that the P3 is a little easier to set. Just my opinion.
Posted 2007-05-11 6:26 AM (#60677 - in reply to #60605) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by dustnem on 2007-05-09 10:02 AM
The P3 is only $30 over the Prodigy and right now there is a $20 mail in rebate so mine only equalled out to be $10 over the Prodigy. The read out screen will tell you exactly what is going on, unlike the Prodigy that just gave you clues. The troublshooting capabilities are much greater. With the Prodigy the stopping motion was fluent between truck and trailer, unless you had to really mash the brakes then you would feel the brakes grab. The P3 is even smoother and you never feel the brakes grab. I have also found that the P3 is a little easier to set. Just my opinion.
well i just bought a p3 off ebay for $112 + $10 shipping. if it has the rebate that will be the same price i paid for my prodigy a couple years ago. wasnt having the "grab" problem you mentioned but im always interested in something new. for those interested, ill post a thread in a couple weeks after ive used it a few times.
Posted 2007-05-11 12:47 PM (#60691 - in reply to #60342) Subject: RE: What type of brake box should I buy?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Just curious, other than a blatant malfuction, what would make you want to replace your brake controller? I had the Prodigy in my last truck, and it worked fine, but wasn't compatible with my LED trailer lights. It sends a pulse out to the trailer every 5 seconds or so, causing the middle brake light to also emit a pulse signal. Was really annoying to follow (didn't discover this until hubby took truck and trailer on the road and I was following in the car). I have a Tekonsha in the new truck and it doesn't really have any bells and whistles but stops my trailer just fine.
What type of brake box should I buy?
Yep I agree!!
.jpg)
