Join CruisersForum Today
Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 07-20-2006, 06:17 AM   #1
superduty is offline
Member
superduty's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 77
Hello everyone,

I am eagerly waiting delivery of my new TT (Cherokee 31Z+) I currently have an old "Kelsey" brake control in my truck that I have used a few times with a flatbed trailer. I don't know much about brake controllers, but I can't help but think a proportional one would be better than my old one. Is that true? I am kind of looking at the prodigy? Give me your opinions please.

Thanks in advance!

__________________
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD crewcab, Duramax

  Reply With Quote
   
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-20-2006, 06:17 AM   #2
superduty is offline
Member
superduty's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 77
Hello everyone,

I am eagerly waiting delivery of my new TT (Cherokee 31Z+) I currently have an old "Kelsey" brake control in my truck that I have used a few times with a flatbed trailer. I don't know much about brake controllers, but I can't help but think a proportional one would be better than my old one. Is that true? I am kind of looking at the prodigy? Give me your opinions please.

Thanks in advance!

__________________
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD crewcab, Duramax

  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 06:40 AM   #3
K-Star is offline
Moderator Emeritus
K-Star's Avatar


Newmar Owners Club
Mid Atlantic Campers
Ford Super Duty Owner
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Fulltime - Currently somewhere in the lower 48
Posts: 1,724
I used a Prodigy for 4 or 5 years. It is a great break controller. Being able to set it and forget it is especially convenient.

My current truck has the integrated brake controller so the Prodigy is collecting dust now.
__________________
John, Joyce & Libby the Yellow Lab. - Fulltime since May 2008
2005 Kountry Star FW-35LKSA
by Newmar pulled by 2008 Ford F-450 King Ranch, PSD, Automatic, 4:88's
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 07:05 AM   #4
sawtooth is offline
Member
sawtooth's Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: WOLF, ID USA
Posts: 30
II'm partial to the Jordon 2020 Ultima.
Enables trailer brakes to be directly proportional to truck brakes. If your truck loses hydraulics, you still have trailer brakes.

http://www.bestbrakecontroller.com/moreInfo.html
__________________
'22 Fleetwood
'96 Ram
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 07:13 AM   #5
RustyJC is offline
Moderator Emeritus
RustyJC's Avatar


Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 6,626
I would recommend the following two brake controllers for your consideration:

1. Brakesmart

2. Jordan Ultima 2020

Both of these controllers are directly linked to the truck's braking system (hydraulically and mechanically, respectively) and produce a trailer brake output that is truly proportional to the truck's braking effort.

Rusty
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Cummins 6.7L/6 speed auto/4.10LS crew cab LB dually
2004 Doubletree Mobile Suites 36RE3 5th wheel
Come join us on a TEXAS BOOMERS rally!
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 07:50 AM   #6
Jeff_in_The_Dalles is offline
Senior Member
Jeff_in_The_Dalles's Avatar
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The Dalles, Oregon
Posts: 544
I second what Rusty said.

If I couldn't have a Brakesmart (that reads hydraulic pressure from tow vehicle), I'd have the Jordan (that uses a linkage to the brake pedal).

Though the ones that use a pendulum or solid state/electronics to measure deceleration are better than the timer based ones that only read the brake pedal switch, the ones that read application of the tow vehicle brakes (Brakesmart, Jordan) just seem to be smoother and more directly proportional to what your foot is doing on the pedal.

I've also seen some of the ones proportional to deceleration seem to react to bumps.

Just my $.02...
__________________
Dodge Ram dually laramie 4x4 w/jake, B&W, Brakesmart.
Kit Patio Hauler 394F toyhauler 5th wheel
Camo 680 Rincon, Green 500 Foreman, Blk twincam Roadking
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 09:24 AM   #7
Mich is offline
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cape Cod
Posts: 69
I have the prodigy and love it. Requires the initial setting and that is it! It also has added features b1, b2, b3 for trailer to truck weight considerations. Great product!
__________________
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 09:58 AM   #8
CoastalDav is offline
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Posts: 113
I also have a prodigy since the new model came out. Other than having to adjust the voltage for each type trailer towed, it seems to work fine for me. I have to run it at 8.0 for the Carriage I have. Previous fifth wheels I had ran about 6.0.

There is some good info out there on the Brakesmart controller. Its more expensive than
others but seems to have a good following.

If FiverBob would jump in here, he could explain it better than me. He's done a lot of reseach on the Brakesmart controller.

Dave
__________________
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-20-2006, 12:24 PM   #9
Black_Silver is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Heaven, West of ****
Posts: 4
I had a Prodigy. It was OK.

Now I have a Brakesmart. The Prodigy is a distant second place.
__________________
Hans, K0HB

RMCM, USN(Ret)
  Reply With Quote
   
Old 07-22-2006, 03:23 AM   #10
Stylin' is offline
Member
Stylin''s Avatar
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wind Lake, WI
Posts: 79
As previously mentioned, Brakesmart and Jordan are probably the best, as well as the most expensive. If you just want a great working controller for about $100, then buy the Prodigy. It gets the job done.

__________________
2005 Mountaineer 298RLS & 2003 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 2500HD Duramax/Allison
  Reply With Quote
   
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to confirm brake control RSmoak Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 5 10-01-2008 06:49 AM
Pac Brake control rmmpe Allison Transmission Forum 8 04-29-2008 09:40 AM
Brake control problem Help! partsman01 5th Wheel Discussion 8 08-20-2006 07:20 AM
Mounting a Prodigy brake controller NT-man Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 3 12-31-2005 01:27 PM
Brake Control Question CD Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 4 12-29-2005 06:13 PM

Download our Mobile App






1% for the Planet
» Upcoming Rallies
No events scheduled in
the next 365 days.
» iRV2 on facebook

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


Copyright 2002-2012 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:17 AM.