Braking expectations

Timay wrote:
Anybody know how the Direct Link compares to the MaxBrake? Do they work alike?

Tim

Direct link plugs into the vehicle test port and grabs data from the can-bus signals to work the trailer break system. So if done correctly then it is close to a factory integrated controller. Problem seems to be there are few users available to report on how it works in real life!

Anybody know how the Direct Link compares to the MaxBrake? Do they work alike?

Tim

Once set up your stopping with the RV should feel the same as stopping without it. It will take longer to stop due to the extra weight.

With a 7 yr old set up it's time to check all of your connections. On my old TT I went through and soldered all of the connections. I had cracks in the insulation where the wires were ran through the axles. Don't forget to check the pigtail to the tow vehicle.

If your due for brake shoes consider replacing the entire backer plate assembly, magnets and brakes shoes. Shop online for best prices. This is a easy switch, once the hub is off you cut the two magnet wires and remove 4 nuts. The hard part is making sure you mount them on the correct side.

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Why is the prodigy junk?

Remove the whole brake master cylinder part...I don't care about an obsolete product....not that it's not any good it's just not available or supported by a manufacturer any more.

The prodigy is still supported. Every device I have ever owned from Tekonsha has performed flawlessly. I recently wired in a Prodigy to my Minivan over my old stand in Tekonsha Voyager that I failed to remove from our last truck when we sold it. That Voyager was a great break control once I read the instructions and understood how to use it.

The boost feature on the Prodigy seems easy enough to set and the gain seems easy enough to set.

So please tell me...why is prodigy junk.. Because I have no problem going back to a Voyager if it is.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I should not really call it "junk". Tekonsha does make quality products. I had the P-2 and got sick of constantly having to change the setting depending if I was going thru a campground for example and had it set on 3 it would send you thru the window. Or be on 1 on the freeway and hit the brakes to basically have nothing happen then urgently get the setting changed.

Once you use an integrated controller or a MaxBrake like I currently use other controllers just don't come close!

Properly setup you should NEVER feel the trailer back there when braking. You should feel exactly like you do when driving your TV solo while braking.

Maybe the P-3 is better, I personally don't know.

"I should not really call it junk."

"Once you use an integrated controller or a MaxBrake like I currently use....."

"Maybe the P-3 is better, I personally don't know."

The above snippets speak for themselves..:R

The P-2 and P-3 are inertia controllers.
They work well, but don't react the same as a system "integrated" with the TV's brakes.
"Back when" controllers *were* integrated with a "T" at the master cylinder. ex: Kelsey Hayes (sp?).
Worked excellent....until ABS came along.

Truly "integrated" controllers are/were: Brakesmart and MaxBrake.
Jordan was a different system - manually actuated when the TV brake
pedal was depressed.
All three are/were excellent controllers - although (about 3-4x) more expensive than the inertia type.

All three are out of business...:(
So - *NO* customer support if you purchase a used one somewhere..:(

Direct Link is the newest (and currently only) integrated controller
available.
DL has applications for most "normal" TVs.
For some tow vehicles -like HDTs- it's a truck-by-truck "maybe", with the company offering a firm "maybe" (in advance) for compatibility.

In summary:
An inertia type (like the P-2 or P-3) should be rated as "good" or (the P-3) as "better".
The DL rates a "best" - at a price.
Just as - disc brakes are a quantum leap above drum brakes!

Which one do you want -or can you afford- for your next panic stop?..

I am curious do you know anyone or have you used a MaxBrake and a Direct link? If so how do they compare?

My built in controller on my 11RAM works better than a P-2 but nothing compared to the MaxBrake. I have read about people that had a MaxBrake then went to an integrated 12 or newer RAM and did not install their MaxBrake. I am looking forward to using the builtin controller on my new 15 RAM. If it works as I hope it does there will be a lightly used MaxBrake on the market!

Cummins12V98 wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Why is the prodigy junk?

Remove the whole brake master cylinder part...I don't care about an obsolete product....not that it's not any good it's just not available or supported by a manufacturer any more.

The prodigy is still supported. Every device I have ever owned from Tekonsha has performed flawlessly. I recently wired in a Prodigy to my Minivan over my old stand in Tekonsha Voyager that I failed to remove from our last truck when we sold it. That Voyager was a great break control once I read the instructions and understood how to use it.

The boost feature on the Prodigy seems easy enough to set and the gain seems easy enough to set.

So please tell me...why is prodigy junk.. Because I have no problem going back to a Voyager if it is.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I should not really call it "junk". Tekonsha does make quality products. I had the P-2 and got sick of constantly having to change the setting depending if I was going thru a campground for example and had it set on 3 it would send you thru the window. Or be on 1 on the freeway and hit the brakes to basically have nothing happen then urgently get the setting changed.

Once you use an integrated controller or a MaxBrake like I currently use other controllers just don't come close!

Properly setup you should NEVER feel the trailer back there when braking. You should feel exactly like you do when driving your TV solo while braking.

Maybe the P-3 is better, I personally don't know.

"I should not really call it junk."

"Once you use an integrated controller or a MaxBrake like I currently use....."

"Maybe the P-3 is better, I personally don't know."

The above snippets speak for themselves..:R..:R

The P-2 and P-3 are inertia controllers.
They work well, but don't react the same as a system "integrated" with the TV's brakes.
"Back when" controllers *were* integrated with a "T" at the master cylinder. ex: Kelsey Hayes (sp?).
Worked excellent....until ABS came along.

Truly "integrated" controllers are/were: Brakesmart and MaxBrake.
Jordan was a different system - manually actuated when the TV brake pedal was depressed.
All three are/were excellent controllers - although (about 3-4x) more expensive than the inertia type.

All three are out of business...:(
So - *NO* customer support if you purchase a used one somewhere..:(

Direct Link is the newest (and currently only) integrated controller available.
DL has applications for most "normal" TVs.
For some tow vehicles -like HDTs- it's a truck-by-truck "maybe", with the company offering a firm "maybe" (in advance) for compatibility.

In summary:
An inertia type (like the P-2 or P-3) should be rated as "good" or (the P-3) as "better".
Neither are "junk"..:S

The DL rates a "best" - at a price.
Just as - disc brakes are a quantum leap above drum brakes!

Which one do you want -or can afford- for your next panic stop?..:@

YMMV


~

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Once you use an integrated controller or a MaxBrake like I currently use other controllers just don't come close!

FWIW...a close friend just had the Integrated Brake System in his 2008 Silverado 2500 fail while towing his 5th wheel. When it failed it also took with it the ABS for the truck. Not sure if that is a normal consequence of the failure or just a freak issue. It was a big repair bill that had something to do with an electrical junction box in the back of the truck.

Timay wrote:

Me Again wrote:

Three modern after market controllers were built that operated on a similar, but much higher level.

1. Brakesmart
2. Jordon
3. MaxBrake

When you refer to Maxbrake, is this what you are refering to?

Tim

No, MaxBrake went out of business and that vendor linked to Direct Link now!

Running a 13,800# Titanium with Dexter electro/hydraulic disk brakes and a P-3. Wouldn't have anything else.

Me Again wrote:

Three modern after market controllers were built that operated on a similar, but much higher level.

1. Brakesmart
2. Jordon
3. MaxBrake

When you refer to Maxbrake, is this what you are refering to?

Tim

Back in the early days we had these!


Three modern after market controllers were built that operated on a similar, but much higher level.

1. Brakesmart
2. Jordon
3. MaxBrake

Then there is the Direct Link that has limited distribution.

ALL other aftermarket controllers are a compromise!

I wanted to buy a Brakesmart, but the cost scared me away. Then I bought a MaxBrake and have kicked myself for not buying the Brakesmart years ago. Until you have used a Prodigy and switch to a better controller, you just do not know!!! I have had one as picture above, several others, two or three Podigy's and now a MaxBrake. Chris