Just curious if anyone knows which brake controller is the best, I've seen where a lot of people use the prodigy but lately I'm reading about a lot of happy campers wih the brakesmart.

 

1. Brakesmart

2. Jordan Ultima 2020

I wouldn't waste my time on a ramped time-based controller or an inertial controller (which the Prodigy is), and, yes, I've used both types in the past.

Rusty

 

What makes any brake controller better than another?

I have used Tekonsha Voyagers in 5 or 6 vehicles pulling rv's & cattle trailers, and I have never had a problem. They engage the brakes, and help me slow down. I think the Tekonsha Voyager works off Inertia.

I have just never been schooled on brake controllers, or I dont tow enough.

 

Palmetto Kid,

There are 3 basic types of brake controllers:

1. Ramped time-based

2. Inertial

3. Proportional

The ramped time-based controllers sense truck brake application from the brake light wire in the brake controller harness. They then produce an output to the trailer brakes that starts at 0 amps and ramps up to the maximum output amperage. The rate of output rise and maximum output level are determined by the operator's adjustments and will not change until the adjustments are changed. The problem with this approach is that the settings that are best for city driving will not produce enough braking for a hard stop from highway speeds, and the settings that are best for dry pavement will result in trailer wheel lock-up in slick conditions. Therefore, the operator is always having to "diddle" with the settings to get proper trailer braking as conditions change.

The inertial controller is aware of truck brake application from the brake light wire in the brake controller harness, like the ramped time-base controller. Once "awake", it uses either a mechanical device (a pendulum and rheostat) or a solid-state accelerometer to determine the rate of deceleration of the truck. Based on this rate of deceleration, it will produce an output to the trailer brakes. The problem with this approach is that, should conditions change suddenly (e.g., going from dry to wet or icy roads), the dry road settings may result in the truck's not being able to generate sufficient deceleration to activate the inertial controller. This happened to me with a Tekonsha Sentinel - truck brake lockup, no trailer brakes and a potential jack knife of the rig that I barely avoided.

A proportional controller produces an output to the trailer brakes that is directly proportional to the operator's application of the truck brakes - the controller is directly connected to the truck's braking system. The Brakesmart does this by sensing hydraulic pressure in the truck's braking system. The Jordan does this by sensing position of the truck's brake pedal through a control cable that attaches to the brake pedal arm. In either case, the harder you push the brake pedal, the more trailer brakes you have. This tends to automatically compensate for road speed, coefficient of friction of the roads, etc., so these systems are basically "set it and forget it".

Does this help?

Rusty

 

I recently bought a Prodogy for $106 online and I love it. I'm sure the proportional systems work better, but I'm sure the Prodogy is cheaper and a lot easier to install. I pull #20,000 plus weights all the time (see my pics under Dodge Locomotive) and the Prodogy works a lot better than my cheapo, $75, redline controller that I used for five years.

My two cents.

 

thanks RUsty

 

Yeah
Thanks Rusty, you have been a huge help. Now all I need to do is find a place locally that sells and installs the Brakesmart

 

JORDAN - - - - JORDAN - - - JORDAN.

There, take that Casey.

 

Michael Michael Michael

 

Can't afford him.

 

Now Bob, do you feel better? Resistance is futile. You will see the light.

 

Someone needs to sneak into Florida instal a brakesmart in Bobs truck. Then will see what tune he sings.

 

Marco!

 

Need my address?

 

Polo!



Think 'ole Bob is finally coming around???!?!??


Devil must be making snowballs and snowmen right about now!