Regarding Gooseneck hitch, It's a fairly new Dodge accessory (parts guy had to look for it) I saw it on a google search for "Dodge OEM Gooseneck". I installed it by myself, only hole to drill is 3-3/4" in the bed (measure this two or three times, it has to be perfect), the installation kit takes care of everything else. If you install, make sure you have someone to help when you actually get ready to install the hitch part into the installation kit, it's too heavy to handle safely by yourself. Took about 2 1/2 hours to install, but I went slow, took my time, and didn't know what I was doing. Local dealer had a 20% off internet coupon for accessories on their website, this is an "accessory" so they honored it, out the door for about $350. Interestingly, dealer wouldn't give me a quote to install it because they had never installed one before, so they wanted a flat $90 per hour to install cause they didn't know how long it might take --- I thanked them but told them I let the next guy pay for that lesson, he laughed (dealer has been good to me otherwise). Dodge news release claims it installs in an hour, go figure

 

I have the Brakesmart and that was my upgrade from the Prodigy. I like it a lot better than the Prodigy with towing heavy especially when the weight of your load always changes. The MaxBrake appears to be the same thing (I guess the same guy designed them both?) I would go withy either of these if you want to buy only one.

On that note I have been interested in the Hensley Tru Control but cant find anyone (but the seller himself no offense) that has one and anyone that can give me feedback on it whether good or bad for how much I paid for my BrakeSmart would be kind of dumb to just buy a different one to "try" it out.

Hey HensleyRon how about letting me try one out for a bit and report back for ya

 

Sure, Vince. Just let me try out your truck for a while, too. There's a lot of snow here now, I could have some serious fun!

Seriously, one of the difficulties in being a small company that specializes in new and innovative products is that you don't have a huge existing customer base. Companies like Tekonsha and Reese (both part of the same parent company) can exist on name alone.

I won't sit here and whine about fairness and how hard it is for the little guy because that's how all companies started. What I will ask is that you give it some thought, trust that I'm not going to lie to sell a product (I don't, most salesman are actually honest people despite a few bad seeds), and be the first guy on the block to own the best controller out there.

The reason I advertise on forums like this is that I find you guys are always interested in the latest technology. The truck forums, as opposed to RV forums, are full of more open-minded people who want to improve the auto and RV industry both, not just settle for the status-quo.

Okay, enough preaching. We put a 60-day money back guarantee on the TruControl, as well as all our trailer hitches, to give you a chance to prove it's right for you. If you don't plan on towing until May, that's when we start the 60 days, even if you order it today.

Fair enough?

 

You guys are funny! I'm sure that some of these 'big-bucks' controllers are nice, but I've always been a firm believer that if you need some kinda special brake controller just to make your truck/trailer combo 'safe', you prob'ly need a bigger truck or lighter trailer. I have some kinda cheapy controller in my Intertrashional, (it was already there), and it'll slow down the loaded truck and trailer significantly if I use the manual lever on the controller, so I don't understand the need for 'more power'.

Now, with that said, when I do an install on a customer vehicle, I'll use a Prodigy. They work well and are reliable. I know there are a few more in the same price range that are equal to it, if not better. But 400+ bucks for a brake controller? It's gonna take a lotta convincing to make me spend that kinda money!

chaikwa.

 

I installed the Prodigy in my truck. Two years ago, that was just about the only one out there that had any/much of a user recommendation/feedback that was positive.

If I were going to be pulling the kind of load you are talking and the Prodigy couldn't keep me satisfied and feeling safe, I would look at the BrakeSmart or TruControl, leaning more toward the TruControl.

When I step on my brakes the Prodigy does read out the maps going to the brakes, it stays constant, does not bleed down to some other lesser amp readings. I have also noticed that the amps will vary with speed, meaning that at a higher rate of speed/braking harder the amps read higher, lower rate of speed lower reading.

CD

 

I have the Prodigy and it works pretty wel for the money, but I think its crapping out on me now. So it looks like I'll be in the market also.

Hensley Ron,

Can you PM me the price of the TruControl?

Thanks!

 

I would stay away from Brake Smart. I've had THREE defective units for my 06 CTD and the customer service from Dr. Performance is horrible. Go with a company that stands behind their products. Dr Performance does not.

 

I love my Brakesmart. Can't even feel my 35 ft travel trailer!

 

Well I would say sure but then how would I test out the brake controller?? All the snow is melting by me and you really wouldnt have too much fun my truck is horrible in the snow unless im hooked up to my trailer.

The 60 day money back is a good deal anything you can try out and then return if you're not satisfied is nice touch.

 

All my snow's melting, too. We used to call it the January thaw but now we call it global warming. Either way, I'm all for it!

I just read back over a couple of posts I missed. Dear Lord, no one should ever, ever have to use their manual button unless they're hooking up to a fiver! And we should never have to use brute force when we have technology to solve the same problem.

 

whats the price of the trucontrol?

 

Vendors Please note:

DTR will NOT tolerate vendors attacking each other in our forums. I know this is common behavior elsewhere, but it will never fly here. It is bad for for the entire industry and frankly embarrassing for the rest of us.

 

the prodigy gets my vote i love mine and dad loves his

 

The better, more expensive, brake controllers don't necessarily send more braking power to the trailer, it's the smoothness with which they opperate. I used the prodigy several times and it was ok, but not as smooth as the brakesmart. Seemed to either not brake enough, or brake too hard- depending on the setting. But plenty of people really like prodigy.

 

Hey williamdr, did you ever get to test the new controller?
Thanks for any info.
Larry