I am looking for a brake controller for my truck right now and have found some threads here and there but maybe we can get some reviews in one place. If you could post up with what controller you use, like it hate it neutral, and some pros and cons that would be great.

 

I'll start. I've got a time delay controller (name faded out) that is old but still works.

For what I'm trying to stop I hate it.

Pro:
Small/fits nice, has worked for years(wouldn't be surprised if it was put in when the truck was new), has the power to lock all 4 wheels on the trailer when it's loaded.

Cons:
Violent when set to stop well enough for emergency, not safe if set for normal stop, extremely sensitive to adjustment, brakes come in to quick on normal stops.

 

Prodigy II, does a great job and honestly I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

maxbrake

 

tekonsha primus IQ.

Pro:
Proportional braking is nice. The harder you brake, the more trailer brake it gives. You can adjust how aggressive it is on initial braking and how much braking there is over all.

The display indicates when you have your trailer plugged in. Shows if there is an problem also.

Con:
It didn't install itself

 

I have this...

http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contro...sha/90195.html

I bought it from Etrailer and I've only gotten to use it once. It's night and day compared to what I had previously, and worked flawlessly when I installed it a few months back.

Pro....

Super sensitive and adjustable to your needs
Light trailers to heavy and it's electronics handle / compensate for the load..
Main harness disconnect so I can keep it in my home when not in use. Just snaps back into the holder after attaching the wiring harness.



Relatively inexpensive compared to some others.


I don't have enough experience to tell you cons.

 

I have an old Kelsey Hayes hydraulically actuated controller. I found it NOS on e-bay, after having various versions in all of my father's light trucks. They are by far my favorite controller. Finding the right hydraulic tee can be hard at the local parts store, and you have to run a hydraulic line through the firewall, but they WORK, no question -- the trailer brakes are applied proportionally to the tow vehicle brakes.

 

I also use the prodigy 2. love it! It is proportional braking with a boost setting for heavier loads. Can be mounted at up to a 70* angle and works when backing ( that's nice on a boat ramp). I also wanna say it has a parking brake feature where it recognizes that u have stopped and if you hold the brake like 3 seconds it will keep pressure on the trailer brakes and u can release the pedal. Don't hold me to that tho. I haven't pulled anything with brakes in about a year.

 

I did some research on this topic a few months ago and identifed the Hayes G2 controller as a good value...but I didn't buy it

does anyone use the Hayes?

 

Original Prodigy for me. Works good, and is adjustable. Set it & forget it.

 

I have a Tekonsha Voyager. It takes a little patience to set, but works very well when it is set, and gives plenty of power to the brakes when needed.

 

I ended up with and ebay Hayes Energizer 3 for $15 while I try to save up more truck money for a Maxbrake set up. So far I don't hate it but it's not all that great either. Bottom line it's better than a time delay unit but it's not easy to set.

 

I love mine.

It does.

 

My right boot and my transmission.

 

I also have a prodigy 2. It's the best I have used. I worked for a landscaping company for years and used all types of trucks with different controllers and none of the cheap ones are as smooth and effective as the the prodigy.