Has anyone installed a brake smart controller in their rig? If so, was it worth the money? The concept sounds good to me, but don't know if there is any major difference between it and the better electric controlers.

 

First of all, welcome to DTR - best Dodge Ram CTD site on the web.

Sorry I can't give you any personal feedback as I don't have a Brake Smart on my truck - still using a cheapy Activator II. However, from what I've read on several threads here and TDR this is one of, if not the best, brake controller you can buy. Just about everyone who has one has had nothing but good remarks about it's performance, especially with heavier loads. I'd guess you wouldn't be sorry if you got one.

BTW, tell us what truck you're running and how it's setup by filling in your signature. That way in the future when you're asking questions everyone will be able to see what you have and be able to provide you with good info related to your truck and how it's setup.

If you've been checking out DTR for long I'm sure you've realized there's a wealth of knowledge here and lot of good folks to help with fixes, enhancements and expecially BOMBing your truck, should you decide to do so. Just remember, once you start down the slippery slope of BOMBing it become very adictive.

Steve

 

Welcome.

There are several threads about Brake Smart. I installed one, and really like it. It stops my 5th wheel smoothly whether it's a panic stop or easing up to a stop sign. Really makes towing less stressful.

If the money is not a huge issue, I'd say go for it.

If price is a big issue, lots of people have good things to say about the Jordan also. I believe it uses a linkage to the brake pedal and applies the trailer brakes in proportion to pedal movement, which to me seems less elegant than the Brake Smart's brake fluid pressure sensor...

 

Worth every cent in my opinion. Smooth and predictable.

 

Works awesome for me and I tow heavy and sometimes two trailers...4 axles...real nice smooth response.

Its a bit more money and so was my truck.

Scotty

 

Best controller I have used to date. From what I understand they are on back order right now do to growing pains of the co.

 

I installed mine and it was a simple task. Took about 2 hours. Currently pull a 5er and a 19.5 ft Glasstron I/O.
Total lenght is 68.5 ft bumper to out drive.
Went to the lake over the holiday and pulled and stopped smoth as silk.
No issues. The boat doesn't have brakers and the brake smart still performed with out a hitch.
Total weight just under 21,00 truck, 5er, and boat. axle weights all fine.
Scaled before leaving.
I knew the weight was there but had no problem stopping.
Just don't tell the state of Neb. I was 3.5 ft too long.
Class A licence and have pulled 3 ways

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I will be budgeting for one of the Brake Smart controllers when I get the new truck.

 

Might as well get on the waiting list now. I have contacted them to buy one and they put me on the "waiting" list. That was about 3 weeks ago....
Hopefully it doesn't take much longer.

 

It is worth the wait.

Casey

 

I dont know what kind the brake smart is but my manual says NOT to tap into vacuum lines or brake lines for trailer brakes. Unless i read it wrong.

 

The warning regarding tapping into the brakelines concerns anything that would displace fluid. This would not be compatible with the ABS system. Since the BrakeSmart does uses a solid state transducer, it does not displace any fluid and has no effect on the ABS system. There is additional info on their website that explains how it works.

Casey

 

Man, are you still that bubble? When are you coming down to earth and join the rest of us?

JORDAN - - JORDAN - - - invest the rest of the money and loose it in the stock market!!!!!

(hee hee, and you thought you could get away with it when I wasn't looking, didn't you - - - you are sneaky, Casey Balvert)

(and you too, Scotty - - just because you are bigger than me, I can still outrun you )

HidingUnderAGlacierBob

 

I just bought a Tekonsha Prodigy and love it. Granted it is only a brake pedal sensing device, but it is the best one that I have ever used. The cheapest I found it was $106.00 I pull up to #30,000 gross sometimes and have had no problems with it. My two cents.

 

If I couldn't wait for the Brakesmart, I'd highly recommend the Jordan Ultima 2020 as a second choice. They're available on the Internet for <$100 and far superior to inertial or ramped time base design controllers.

Rusty