Posted 2013-06-28 8:18 AM (#152999) Subject: best brake controller
Member
Posts: 21
Location: AR
Need a new brake controller for my Dodge 2003 dually that pulls my 3 horse Platinum trailer with 8 foot shortwall? Amazon buyers like Techonsha P3 for $144 and Techonsha Primus IQ for $95. I don't really understand the difference except that it's about $50. Any suggestions or thoughts?
Posted 2013-06-28 2:49 PM (#153004 - in reply to #152999) Subject: RE: best brake controller
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
Evidently noone has any experience with either of those manufacturers - neither do I, but I would suggest you check with Dodge to see if they have a kit to add an 'integrated brake controller' to your truck. One major reason I chose our current truck was Fords release of their Integrated brake controller that year. It has a sensor that reads the hydraulic pressure in the brake lines and regulates the brake bias going to the trailer electronics. In my opinion, this is a huge improvement. You will not feel ANY surge as the brakes are applied and the trailer brakes engage. This eliminates the impact to the truck, and more so to the horses every time you touch the brake pedal. You still regulate from 1 to 10 how much bias you want, but you will never feel the pulse as you brake. Ford released a kit a couple years ago to add it after build - maybe dodge has one by now. With this truck having a trailer attached to it at least 90% of its miles, I will never go back to an aftermarket trailer brake controller that only senses the brake light switch for activation. -- Just my opinion.
Posted 2013-06-29 8:12 PM (#153014 - in reply to #152999) Subject: RE: best brake controller
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by agfckrowe on 2013-06-28 8:18 AM
Need a new brake controller for my Dodge 2003 dually that pulls my 3 horse Platinum trailer with 8 foot shortwall? Amazon buyers like Techonsha P3 for $144 and Techonsha Primus IQ for $95. I don't really understand the difference except that it's about $50. Any suggestions or thoughts?
Posted 2013-06-30 9:14 AM (#153024 - in reply to #152999) Subject: RE: best brake controller
Veteran
Posts: 109 Location: Florida
Here is my opinion... I have 2 trucks, 05 F350 with integrated brake controller and a 02 Chevy 3500 with the Techonsha P3 installed... For the price and ease of installation the Techonsha P3 is as close as you are going to get to a integrated brake controller, I truly can't feel the difference in the two. So with that said get the Techonsha P3 with the correct wiring harness to plug directly into your truck.
Posted 2013-06-30 1:21 PM (#153033 - in reply to #153004) Subject: RE: best brake controller
Member
Posts: 5
Location: IL
What do you have the integrated brake ontroller to? ( number 1-10). I have this technology on our suburban 1500, and just bought a trailer. I was trying to figure out the directions, but afraid to put the number too high or too low...thanks!
Posted 2013-06-30 2:37 PM (#153035 - in reply to #152999) Subject: RE: best brake controller
Veteran
Posts: 109 Location: Florida
1 is the lowest, 10 is the highest strength. Mine is on 8, but it matters on a lot of factors on what number to use, so not easy to tell you what number to use. Like me, I have 2 axles, 4 brakes and my trailer empty weight is around 9,500lbs. The best I can tell you, set it to 5, test drive with trailer at around 20mph and pinch the lever for full engage, should feel a good pull from the trailer brakes with no brake lockup, if you lock up go down towards 1 a click until no lockup, if you feel not enough braking go up toward 10 a click at a time when feel the braking is enough again with no lockup... I think the owners manual for the gives a better explanation then I can, if you have it, if not I'm sure it could be found on line.
best brake controller
