Trailer brake controllers

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Nesikep

Nesikep

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Dec 13, 2008
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Lillooet, BC, Canada
Well, I'm in the market for a new trailer brake controller... the two I've had i've hated with a passion... the first one was an analogue Teconcha (something like that anyway), and didn't like it much, and then I've had 2 Kurt Discovery digital for 8 brake capacity.. Now THOSE are crap!... They have a "clicky" wheel to set the strength, and a digital meter to display it, and the meter increments in 5% intervals... So far so good, except the clicky wheel detents fall between the meter increments, and it's darned hard to set. Second problem is that if you manually apply it, then get on the brakes, and release the manual trigger, it doesn't ramp up, it SUDDENLY applies power and darned well nearly rips the axles off the trailer, and the calves in it sure don't do well with it. 3rd problem? yep!, the manual trigger is so sloppy it binds, so sometimes when you want to release it doesn't, and you have to futz with it, again, dangerous because you have to concentrate on something else, and because if the trailer were to be in a skid, you would probably have it beside you by the time you figured out what was wrong with it. Last problem is that it has a bit of a delay (~1/2 second) before it releases the brakes after you come off the pedal.. Again dangerous if you were in a skid.. and it always come off darned hard jarring everything.

I would LOVE to find one that senses your brake system pressure and applies the trailer brakes accordingly, because well, if I need to make a quick stop, I can't have it take 3 seconds to ramp up, but I don't want it to bind up when I have to feather the brakes either. Can anyone recommend one? I don't really care what the price is if it's GOOD, but I'm not spending $50-100 bucks on each to blindly try them all out.
 
I can't remember the name of the one I had that I moved from truck to truck . I have a factory installed Dodge one now and like it. You are adjusting the lever on the side to accommodate to angle of the way your controller is mounted.
 
M5farm":33b99exf said:
I can't remember the name of the one I had that I moved from truck to truck . I have a factory installed Dodge one now and like it. You are adjusting the lever on the side to accommodate to angle of the way your controller is mounted.
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I have the Ford facotry controller and like it better then any of the aftermarket ones I've tried. No idea what make/modle it is.
 
I was doing some research on that model and it does seem to be pretty well recommended... *IF* I can find it, I think I will go for a MaxBrake or Brakesmart though, they have a sensor on your truck brake system to actuate the trailer brakes, apparently the best performance in both light and heavy loads, and smoothest, they're also pricy at about $400, but if it save me from hitting one jerk doing a U turn in front of me or a deer, it's paid for itself.
The Tekonsha P3 would be my second choice
 
The Tekonsha Prodigy is what you want. I am not a smart man, but I do know some things. The Tekonsha prodigy is the best 12v brake controller on the market. Buy one and you will love it.
 
ohiosteve":w5yrzigu said:
The Tekonsha Prodigy is what you want. I am not a smart man, but I do know some things. The Tekonsha prodigy is the best 12v brake controller on the market. Buy one and you will love it.
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I second this. Had one in my wife's '12 Chevy half ton - it was equal to any factory controller I've used, and better than some. Very smooth.
 
I'll see if I can find one... I had a Voyager, which is pretty lousy unit, but still better than what I'm using now.

I just think it's hard for any controller to know exactly what you want from it unless it's connected to the brake system hydraulics, The brakesmart and maxbrake's are such a design, which is why I think I'd like them best... I might try the P3 though
 
Nesikep":200jq1vx said:
I'll see if I can find one... I had a Voyager, which is pretty lousy unit, but still better than what I'm using now.

I just think it's hard for any controller to know exactly what you want from it unless it's connected to the brake system hydraulics, The brakesmart and maxbrake's are such a design, which is why I think I'd like them best... I might try the P3 though
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Nessie, I think you hit the nail on the head with your statement about connecting to the truck hydraulics. All of the controllers I've ever used were piloted by the vehicle hydraulics and they have all worked very smoothly. By the same token, every time I've had the occasion to operate the trailer brakes manually the application was very abrupt. Maybe if I had a smoother hand in applying them it would have been better. But if you get into a jack knife situation, applying the trailer brakes manually is usually done in a panic mode and not very controlled. And it's usually accompanied by "HOLY SHYT!".

I'll see what the brand is on my current one and let you know. It was installed at my local cattle trailer manufacturer.
 
I haven't seen a "remote manual override" as a feature on any of them, I have the Jake brake button on my gearshift, and would love to have a trailer brake lever on there as well so I don't have to fiddle looking for it under the dash... no one seems to have that idea though
 
I have run several as well. The best I ever used was a Valley that had a dual setting on it for hard and soft stops and a mercury inertia switch that activated it. It did what you are saying in that it sensed how hard you were stopping and applied power accordingly. Once you set it it was always smooth and right on time. Most people get into trouble by not knowing how to set them. Also been my experience when it gets to the point the trailer is jacknifing it is TFL and hitting that little button isn't going to fix it! I know you probably use it more than most tho between snow and gravel washboard. Good luck hope you find one that suits.
 
Thankfully I've never had it jack knife on me, though I've had it start to sway which wasn't a whole lot of fun.

I heard of one called a "Jordan" I think that had a linkage on the brake pedal to sense how much you were braking. Might be a cheaper way of accomplishing it.
 
SmokinM":3kfqs5p3 said:
Also been my experience when it gets to the point the trailer is jacknifing it is TFL and hitting that little button isn't going to fix it!
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I've found quite the contrary - twice and don't want to do it again. Both times the truck snapped back around straight and then I was able to bring the truck and trailer to a safe stop. Not a fun thing to go through.
 
lavacarancher":3nzni74n said:
SmokinM":3nzni74n said:
Also been my experience when it gets to the point the trailer is jacknifing it is TFL and hitting that little button isn't going to fix it!
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I've found quite the contrary - twice and don't want to do it again. Both times the truck snapped back around straight and then I was able to bring the truck and trailer to a safe stop. Not a fun thing to go through.
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Glad you got it straight it's never fun when they decide they want beside or even worse in front of the truck! Hardly ever pull tag-along trailers but that button comes in handy pulling the sway out of them sometimes. Most of my Oh S--- moments are sponsored by other drivers. Afraid common sense has been replaced by prevalent stupidity.
 
I guess it's worth a shot in most cases,.. though if you have to really reach or take your eyes off the road it might not be the best idea.. I haven't had too many troubles with it yet
 

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