Brake Controllers

[CWIL]

I am trying to figure out which is the best Brake Controller on the market. Currently, I have a Prodigy which as far as I now does the job. However, I was recently told that my trailer brakes after 10,000 miles were about shot so I replaced them. I was under the impression they should have lasted longer than that. What made me start thinking about it March Trailer life their is an article about the Hensley's Trucontrol Brake Controller that they tout. As we all know all mfg's tout their Brake Controllers. I would appreciate any feedback about what you think and why. Also, for what it is worth on the page right after the contents page McKenzie has a full page add showing the McKenzie Line of products.

[CWIL]

I am trying to figure out which is the best Brake Controller on the market. Currently, I have a Prodigy which as far as I now does the job. However, I was recently told that my trailer brakes after 10,000 miles were about shot so I replaced them. I was under the impression they should have lasted longer than that. What made me start thinking about it March Trailer life their is an article about the Hensley's Trucontrol Brake Controller that they tout. As we all know all mfg's tout their Brake Controllers. I would appreciate any feedback about what you think and why. Also, for what it is worth on the page right after the contents page McKenzie has a full page add showing the McKenzie Line of products.

[RustyJC]

Frankly, the Tekonsha Prodigy is the Big Mac of brake controllers - it's the best seller, reasonably priced and does its job fairly adequately. I don't think anyone, however, would say that a Big Mac is indisputably the best hamburger on the planet. Neither is the inertial Prodigy the best brake controller on the planet.

From a performance standpoint, there are better brake controller choices that directly link to the truck's braking system either mechanically or hydraulically. These give an output to the trailer brakes that is directly proportional to what your right foot does on the truck's brake pedal. I'm running a Jordan Ultima 2020 (now out of production) that mechanically links to the truck's brake pedal. An excellent choice for a hydraulically linked controller is the BrakeSmart that uses a pressure transducer to measure applied pressure in the truck's hydraulic braking system - these are now manufactured by Dr. Performance in Weatherford, TX.

Rusty

[D&J]

I'm using a Brakesmart and have been for 4 years, I pulled my brakes last summer and I had no signs of excess wear after 30K+ miles. Its a little pricey but I love the stopping power.

Denny

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

This thread popped up on a search.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/20950359.cfm

I'd say the three best on the market are probably the Brakesmart, the Jordan Ultima, and the technocial prodegy.

The Brakesmart and the Jordan read application of the tow vehicle brakes directly, via a solid state fluid transducer in the case of the Brakesmart, and using a linkage attached to the pedal in the Jordan. The Brakesmart is probably a bit more elegant, and I'd imagine line pressure might be more linear to braking power than pedal movement. The Brakesmart is very smooth, alomst like the trailer isn't there. Disadvantages are price, and installing the sensor adds like 20 minutes to installation.

When people talk about the best of the type that sense deceleration, Technocia Prodgey seems to be the one that comes up the most. I've got friends who have them, and they work well, especially for the price.

Don't even mess with the timer based ones, that get their only input from the brake light switch. They are really annoying, and apply the brakes the same if you are easing up to a stop sign in town, or doing a panic stop from freeway speeds...

I don't know much about the Hensley, but it appears to be deceleration proportional type.

[Between Trips]

I've had my Tekonsha Prodigy for 5 years and am quite satified with the performance.

[Randy the sly old fox]

Time for a new truck with a built-in controller - like the Ford Tow Boss. I have the new GM integrated brake controller and love it. My transmission also has grade braking that downshifts with brake application. I feel that the combination of these two features that my trailer brakes will last longer.

[Fulltimer]

Charles,
Dont be to quick to blame the controller. How it is adjusted makes a big difference too. If you have to much trailer brake, the trailer brakes will be doing most of the stopping for the entire rig setup and will wear much faster.
(Of course your mechanic knows what he is doing and he is completely trust worthy)