Brake controller advice needed

[Lindaxtwo]

Hi All,
Looking for some guidance from you all. Although we've been "campers" for close to 30 years there is alot we have to learn about our rig and being FT'ers.
We need to get a brake controller for our GMC 5500. We thought that the exhaust brake was all we'd need but the area RV dealer said different. Any advice from you on what brand or type you'd recommend to work with the disc brake package we have with the Mor-Ryde suspension ? The dealer said that the Voyager brand they had wouldn't "work" with our truck. Why would that be ? I don't want something that I have to tinker or adjust...something that can be set and it's good to go. The dealership that we went to yesterday said that there doesn't appear to be a wiring harness for a quick 1/2 hour type of hook-up of a brake controller but that it looks like he'll have to run the wires, etc. and it will be a 3 hour job @$66/hr. Is it that big of a job ? When I looked on the Camping World web site, for all the brake controllers I looked at , the install fee was only about $79 for any of them. Why so much difference ? Any feedback would be appreciated.
BTW, for those asking about the Mor-Ryde and Glide Ride pin box, our trip out yesterday with the Excel was awesome. Two sets of railroad tracks to go over and it was so smooth..no bucking...nothing in the cupboards moved whatsoever. Left my sunglasses on the kitchen counter and they were in the same spot we left them when we got home.

[Lindaxtwo]

Hi All,
Looking for some guidance from you all. Although we've been "campers" for close to 30 years there is alot we have to learn about our rig and being FT'ers.
We need to get a brake controller for our GMC 5500. We thought that the exhaust brake was all we'd need but the area RV dealer said different. Any advice from you on what brand or type you'd recommend to work with the disc brake package we have with the Mor-Ryde suspension ? The dealer said that the Voyager brand they had wouldn't "work" with our truck. Why would that be ? I don't want something that I have to tinker or adjust...something that can be set and it's good to go. The dealership that we went to yesterday said that there doesn't appear to be a wiring harness for a quick 1/2 hour type of hook-up of a brake controller but that it looks like he'll have to run the wires, etc. and it will be a 3 hour job @$66/hr. Is it that big of a job ? When I looked on the Camping World web site, for all the brake controllers I looked at , the install fee was only about $79 for any of them. Why so much difference ? Any feedback would be appreciated.
BTW, for those asking about the Mor-Ryde and Glide Ride pin box, our trip out yesterday with the Excel was awesome. Two sets of railroad tracks to go over and it was so smooth..no bucking...nothing in the cupboards moved whatsoever. Left my sunglasses on the kitchen counter and they were in the same spot we left them when we got home.

[rockintom]

Hi Lindas,
It is my understanding that the Prodigy controller is compatible with the Dexter disk brake setup (Excel). They are good and pretty cheap. I bought mine off Ebay for $89.00. Make sure it is the latest version. There are better controllers that cost more, it's up to you. The Voyager is not compatible. Prodigy is suppose to have a new controller called the "P3" which is supposed to be compatible with both electric and disk brakes with a flip of a switch. Don't know if it's out yet, though. Wiring should there for the brake controller on the 5500. If so it is a 1/2 hour job at best. Happy Journeys! HTH Tom

[LindaH]

Your RV dealer is correct: you definitely need a brake controller even though you also have an exhaust brake!

We, too, have the Mor-Ryde suspension with the disk brake and we're using the Prodigy braker controller from Tekonsha. I've read where some people say the Prodigy won't work with disk brakes, but it's working GREAT for us!

I looked back in our records to see what we were charged for labor when we had the Prodigy installed. At the same time we had the Prodigy installed, they also installed the B&W Turnover Ball Hitch and the Companion Fifth Wheel hitch. The only labor charges on the bill are listed only for the hitch install, so it appears the brake controller was installed for "free" (other than paying for the controller itself and the controller wires, of course).

$198 in labor charges to install a brake controller seems a bit high, particularly considering we were only charged $230 in labor for the installation of the hitch AND the controller! I also can't see it taking 3 hours to install...unless it's the first brake controller the dealer has ever installed, but in that case, you shouldn't have to pay for their learning curve!