Well I'm thinking about uping the money for a Brakesmart, provided I can get one. I wanted to know from the guy's that have them, are they hard to get set up and operate. Is there too many button's that it makes it complicated. I've read about them turning off or something if you don't use it for awhile. I'd hate to drive 300 mile's non stop and hit the brake's and have it shut off on me. Or, am I just being paranoid. Or, am I just being paranoid. Hey, who said that. I think someone's watching me.

 

The answer is "NO" it is not difficult to operate. It is very very simple to operate. Once it is set up it is pretty much a "set it and forget it" deal. The automatic shut-off is really not a hard shut off where you have to touch any buttons to turn it back on. It's kind of like a sleep mode until you touch your brakes. The main purpose of that function is to shut it off after the vehicle is turned off so there is no battery drain. However, I have had it time out while towing on a long flat Interstate Hwy on cruise control without hitting the brake pedal for several hours. It gives you a couple of beeps to let you know it is going to sleep but not to worry...it is a light sleeper and a tap of the brake will wake it up instantly. If you are paranoid you can reprogram the amount of time (hours) that it is inactive before it goes into sleep mode.

Once you get it installed and set it is a dream to tow with. The proportional braking using your vehicles brake circuit hydraulics makes it feel like it is one with the truck. There is less fiddling because it is so proportional to what your are doing. The only thing they recommend is to hold downt the red manual brake button for something like 2 seconds to calibrate it automatically each time you hook up. Simple to do!

There are menu items if you like to fiddle/program but I never really have to use them. The best part of the BrakeSmart is its diagnostics. It understands the amperage/voltage required per brake axle and knows how many axles you have in tow and lets you know you are good to go or even if you have become disconnected for some reason (loose connector, etc).

Are you installing it yourself? It really is easy if you are half way mechanically inclined. Othewise, any trailer place can install it in about 15 minutes or less.

 

Don't know about the Brakesmart but if you can't get that Brakesmart don't forget about the Jordan.

 

Thank's. That's just the info I was looking for. Guess I'll see if I can get one.

Patrick. Are you using a Jorden. I have a Prodigy and hate it. I have to constantly re-adjust it.

 

Yup I am using the Jordan. There is a cable that connects to your brake pedal so it applies brakes proportional to your pedal movement. The general consensus among people who agree on things is that brakesmart is the best and Jordan is the runner up on a budget.

 

I've had the brakesmart for 2 yrs now & like said set it & forget it. I had it on my 01 & now it's on my 05. Worth the $$$ IMHO. I like the fact that it reacts like the brakes on my semi. The amount of presure you put on the pedel is the amount of application applied to the brakes, no time delay.

 

I have a Brakesmart, and it is really simple to use. You just scroll through menus and can easily change whatever settings you would like.

I found that once I have it set the way I want, I don't feel the need to mess with it.

Personally, I set the power-saver timer down, and turned off the audible alarm. Like posted above, as soon as you tap the brake or any of the buttons the display comes back on...

If I didn't have the money, or couldn't get a Brakesmart, Jordan would be the other unit I would consider.