When we bought our first RV in the summer of 2005, I had the dealer throw in a brake controller. It was a "Husky" brand, but made by Valley Industries. It was a low tech, timed unit but served its purpose well for a few years.
Fast Forward to just a few weeks ago: We decided to upgrade and jump on an offer too good to pass up and purchased a new 31' Fleetwood Pioneer. On the way to pick up the new unit (literally less than 1/4 mile from the dealer), the old Husky went T/U. There was a pop, a buzz, a horrible smell and it was all over.
I was taking delivery pretty late in the day, and I prayed the parts department would not only still be open, but carry brake controllers. They did, and had a great selection. I bought a Tekonsha Prodigy (because I've always heard rave reviews about it) for $130... I know I could have gotten it cheaper but convenience was key and there was no way I was going to pull our new RV home without brakes (30+ miles on the interstate).

Anyway, this thing is great. I'm another happy customer and would recomend this product to anyone. The difference is like night and day, I should not have waited to upgrade.

Dave

 

Best thing I ever did for my horses was toss the old cheapy out and install a Prodigy. Night and day difference.

 

I was eyeing the Prodigy but I have some sort of a Tekonsha in the truck already that seems to work, so I decided to save up more and buy a Maxbrake or a Brakesmart. They are expensive!
-P

 

Those time based controllers should be against the law. If you are towing a large load and someone pulls in front of you, it's all over. There is no way to anticipate an emergency stop. That large load will keep pushing you until the ramp finally comes up.

 

It was the first time I'd hauled anything with electric brakes, so i really didn't know any better. It did serve its purpose and never gave me any trouble, until that day where it crumped out of nowhere. My first TT was 6600# empty, not too awful heavy, but this new one is about 1500# heavier (empty weight), and you're right, no way in hell are you gonna be able to make a safe emergency stop with a timed controller... that is unless you're Johnny on the spot with the override.
I think manufacturers that are starting to sell their trucks with built-in controllers have the right idea too.

 

That would be the Voyager. I had that in my last truck, served me well. I got the Prodigy for the new truck, night and day! SO much smoother, less jerky, easier to set. Plus, it has 3 boost levels which apply more initial pressure when you first touch the brakes, for heavy loads.

 

I had a cheap time style drawtite for a couple years because it came with the truck. Then I bought a Jordan, and it feels like I'm stopping without a trailer on the back, like you , I didn't know $100bucks could make such a difference. They shouldn't even sell those junk controllers, 65+K riding on $39-50bucks.

 

I had the Prodigy in my 96 3500 upgraded to the Brakesmart and never looked back. I will say though it did its job just fine especially since the 96's brakes were horribly small and under powered. I just didnt like the jerkyness in stop and go traffic with it I was constantly adjusting it.

 

Does anybody have the Maxbrake? Looks good, but expensive. I'm tired to being jerked around by the cheap controller. I bet the horses are even more tired of it.

 

That's the main reason I went to the Prodigy over the older Tekonsha unit that I was using. once you get it set correctly and figure the boost setting out for your trailer weight it's smooth sailing for the horses.

 

Prodigy is a good brake controller.

 

I love my prodigy. I used a cheap controller I got on clearance at WalMart before. You could definitely tell when the trailer brakes kicked in, but with the prodigy I can hardly tell at all. Putting it in the new truck couldnt have been any easier with the harness to plug directly into the truck wiring.

 

I got my prodigy still in the box. Have not had time to install yet. I bought it because about 95% of the members have them and love them.

 

I love my Prodigy.
4 years with it and 0 problems.

 

I guy on here did try the maxbrake unit. He said it works real good. I don't know how it would compair to a BrakeSmart but I bet it is real close. My horses love my BrakeSmart controller. Truck and trailer stop as one period....