Posted 2008-02-16 8:45 AM (#76963) Subject: Do I need a brake controller?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: NC
Recently "inherited" a dodge ram 2500 and a 2 horse slant load bumper pull from my NOW ex husband. He always hauled the horses, not me. Well now that the divroce is said and done and I got to keep the horses, my friend is teaching me how to drive the trailer. My husband never had a brake controller put on the truck. Do I need one? And if so, what brand is recommended? Thanks.
Posted 2008-02-16 8:51 AM (#76964 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Veteran
Posts: 270 Location: Roanoke IL
While your truck may be able to stop the trailer, why wear down the brakes on your truck by making them do all the work? Not only that, but if you would need to stop just your trailer or straighten it out if it started to get squirrely while driving, you can just reach down and pull the brake controller. I highly recommend getting one. You'll notice a difference when you stop. I don't know if brand matters, but I think you should have one. They aren't expensive or hard to install. That way you have one if you ever need to pull a bigger trailer that might otherwise push on your truck when you stop.
Posted 2008-02-16 5:19 PM (#76999 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: NC
Thanks! Like I said the ex drove the horses and I'm completely new into hauling! I'll look into getting a brake controller ASAP. The darn truck needs an oil change and some maintenance first. I'll ask the truck guys how much it'll be!
Posted 2008-02-16 8:26 PM (#77005 - in reply to #76999) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Expert
Posts: 2615
At the same time,look on here on the search on brake controllers,and go to some of the websites that furnish them.That way you will know for yourself how much the one you want costs before asking.You might even be able to purchase the one you want,and find an installer locally if no one carries it.
Posted 2008-02-16 8:31 PM (#77006 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I would say yes, not only for safety's sake, but (not knowing the weight of your trailer, loaded) it may be a legal requirement. You know, one of those things that, should you have a fenderbender, some lawyer could make hay with etc. I feel better having working trailer brakes on everything...we have a Prodigy for the big truck and (I'd have to go look (!) digital controllers in the Suburban and 3/4 ton and motorhome)
Posted 2008-02-16 9:17 PM (#77009 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Location: KY
Depending on the model year of your truck and whether it has the factory installed wiring/tow package, if so, should not be much to install a brake controller. A trailer dealer may be your best bet for getting this done. Best wishes on your trailering....ps, I did not think I could do it and now pull a 3 hrse gooseneck with lq....so you go girl!!!!!!!!
Posted 2008-02-16 10:13 PM (#77013 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Member
Posts: 9
the prodigy is a GREAT controller and not very exspensive plus pending on your truck you order the corect adapter and you just plug it in you are done in half hour
Posted 2008-02-18 12:51 AM (#77129 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Burleson, TX
Ditto on the Prodigy brake controller. It performs much better than most others. shopt the price. I checked with a well-known trailer dealer close to me and they wanted $100 more to install it than the truck outfitter in a small town a little farther away. I have had a crappy contoller before and it was a night and day difference between it and my Prodigy. Good Luck!
Posted 2008-02-18 4:01 PM (#77178 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
A little off topic, but all of you who have said Prodigy is a great brake controller, what makes it great? I mean, either it activates the trailer brakes or it doesn't. Is there something specific you like about the Prodigy over other brands?
Posted 2008-02-18 8:09 PM (#77202 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
It is proportional, it works in reverse, and it has "short" protection. Have had 2 brake controllers shorted out and ruined by someone borrowing a trailer, swapping wires, then bringing it back in the "new" configuration. The prodigy protects itself and tells you that you have a short, as well...
Posted 2008-02-18 8:50 PM (#77204 - in reply to #77178) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by headhunter on 2008-02-18 5:01 PM
A little off topic, but all of you who have said Prodigy is a great brake controller, what makes it great? I mean, either it activates the trailer brakes or it doesn't. Is there something specific you like about the Prodigy over other brands?
Posted 2008-02-19 12:36 PM (#77265 - in reply to #77204) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I have a Tekonsha in the current truck. Last truck had the Prodigy, and it would pulse a signal to the tail lights, and the light bar at the top of the back of the trailer would pulse. Very annoying to follow. Was told Prodigy's will do that with LED lights. I have no complaints with the Tekonsha. It stops my trailer.
So what makes Prodigy a good choice? Just curious what the selling point is. My thought is, it either activates your brakes or it doesn't. Are there other factors that make it a great product?
Posted 2008-02-19 2:59 PM (#77281 - in reply to #77265) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by headhunter on 2008-02-19 12:36 PM
I have a Tekonsha in the current truck. Last truck had the Prodigy, and it would pulse a signal to the tail lights, and the light bar at the top of the back of the trailer would pulse. Very annoying to follow. Was told Prodigy's will do that with LED lights. I have no complaints with the Tekonsha. It stops my trailer.
So what makes Prodigy a good choice? Just curious what the selling point is. My thought is, it either activates your brakes or it doesn't. Are there other factors that make it a great product?
Tekonsha is a maker, not a model of controller. Tekonsha makes the Prodigy, I would guess you have the Primus or Voyager?
Typically most people, including me, have moved up from a POS timer based controller. The Prodigy, among several others, use newer technology to provide proportional stopping.......the harder you press the brake pedal, the harder the trailer brakes are applied. The price, performance, ease of setup and installation all contribute to the Prodigy's popularity.
All controllers are not created equal, so its not as simple as "activates your brakes or it doesn't". Here is some good reading, although their prices are way out of line. http://www.etrailer.com/faq_brakecontroller.aspx
Posted 2008-02-19 6:26 PM (#77307 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I'll have to go dig the instructions out of the glove box in the truck. It was installed when I bought it, don't know off the top of my head which model it is.
Thanks for the explanation of what makes a better brake controller.
Posted 2008-02-20 10:29 AM (#77392 - in reply to #76963) Subject: RE: Do I need a brake controller?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Still haven't dug through the glove box to find the instructions, but I think I have the Tekonsha Powertrack based on the description on eTrailer. Mine was installed when the truck was new and looks a little different, but the feature description is exactly the same:
Do I need a brake controller?
