Brake Controller
Looking for advice on purchasing a new brake controller. I have a new 2015 Dodge Durango and it is prewired with the harness. Haven't bought one in about 8 years and realize technology has changed. To...
Forum Discussion
Kind of a wordy response, many apologies.
OBD2 Port Accessories Issues
My biggest gripe with OBD2 Port accessories in general (Direct Link, MY VERY OWN WIFI OBD2 Dongle, and other diagnostic tools) which are plugged in to the OBD2 port is the fact that they are susceptible to being kicked by the driver and damage the tool or the OBD2 port itself.
Not all vehicle have the OBD2 port directly in the path of feet... but several I have seen do.
I still use my OBD2 Dongle but I have to be aware of it *always* else I risk kicking it.... Its very close to my foot.
Thoughts on Time Based Controllers
Many will call Time based controllers "dangerous" and I can see that if they are set to lightly. But you can set (and should set) a Draw-Tite Activator 2 (for example) to pull on the TV as hard and as quick as you would like. I have a Hayes Syncronizer and never felt in danger.. the trailer and the truck always stopped... I had it set aggressive and in traffic it was hard on the trailer brakes because they were braking so hard.
Here is the thing... if the proportional brake controller is set to light it is AS DANGEROUS as a poorly set up time based controller. The controller will be trying to proportionally power the brakes, but if not set to a high enough power (gain, etc) then the under-braked trailer can still push the rig into an accident.
The one safety issue that I like about the Time Based brake controllers is that they are NOT dependent on the deceleration of the TV.... okay stop scratching your heads.... In low traction situations (Snow, heavy rain, etc) IF the TV slides and loses traction but the Trailer does NOT lose traction, the trailer will brake despite the loss of traction on the TV. Based on my understanding.. the Prodigy and nearly every other proportional controller will NOT send an adequate amount of power to the trailer brakes in this situation.
Yes, I know you can just reach down and grab the over ride lever... But in an emergency situation can you really guarantee that you will be in ANY position to remove a hand from the wheel and activate the manual over-ride? Will you even have time? Those are questions that I think about all the time. IMHO.. the answer is.. it depends on the situation.
Shifting gears some... Direct Link.. based on my understanding... provides a similar benefit.
Final Thoughts
I personally run a proportional brake controller, and I run them set aggressively as BenK does. My Hayes time based control is a back up and is in the tool box. The reason I choose aggressive trailer braking set ups is simple.. I am TOWING...Safety is THE single most important thing. Aggressive brakes on the trailer help prevent (if not eliminate) jack-knifing in a hard stop situation.
Proportional braking is EASIER on equipment and operators.
Finally.. know your equipment... know your equipment...know your equipment. YOU the Operator must run the equipment YOU are operation in the safest manner possible.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
OBD2 Port Accessories Issues
My biggest gripe with OBD2 Port accessories in general (Direct Link, MY VERY OWN WIFI OBD2 Dongle, and other diagnostic tools) which are plugged in to the OBD2 port is the fact that they are susceptible to being kicked by the driver and damage the tool or the OBD2 port itself.
Not all vehicle have the OBD2 port directly in the path of feet... but several I have seen do.
I still use my OBD2 Dongle but I have to be aware of it *always* else I risk kicking it.... Its very close to my foot.
Thoughts on Time Based Controllers
Many will call Time based controllers "dangerous" and I can see that if they are set to lightly. But you can set (and should set) a Draw-Tite Activator 2 (for example) to pull on the TV as hard and as quick as you would like. I have a Hayes Syncronizer and never felt in danger.. the trailer and the truck always stopped... I had it set aggressive and in traffic it was hard on the trailer brakes because they were braking so hard.
Here is the thing... if the proportional brake controller is set to light it is AS DANGEROUS as a poorly set up time based controller. The controller will be trying to proportionally power the brakes, but if not set to a high enough power (gain, etc) then the under-braked trailer can still push the rig into an accident.
The one safety issue that I like about the Time Based brake controllers is that they are NOT dependent on the deceleration of the TV.... okay stop scratching your heads.... In low traction situations (Snow, heavy rain, etc) IF the TV slides and loses traction but the Trailer does NOT lose traction, the trailer will brake despite the loss of traction on the TV. Based on my understanding.. the Prodigy and nearly every other proportional controller will NOT send an adequate amount of power to the trailer brakes in this situation.
Yes, I know you can just reach down and grab the over ride lever... But in an emergency situation can you really guarantee that you will be in ANY position to remove a hand from the wheel and activate the manual over-ride? Will you even have time? Those are questions that I think about all the time. IMHO.. the answer is.. it depends on the situation.
Shifting gears some... Direct Link.. based on my understanding... provides a similar benefit.
Final Thoughts
I personally run a proportional brake controller, and I run them set aggressively as BenK does. My Hayes time based control is a back up and is in the tool box. The reason I choose aggressive trailer braking set ups is simple.. I am TOWING...Safety is THE single most important thing. Aggressive brakes on the trailer help prevent (if not eliminate) jack-knifing in a hard stop situation.
Proportional braking is EASIER on equipment and operators.
Finally.. know your equipment... know your equipment...know your equipment. YOU the Operator must run the equipment YOU are operation in the safest manner possible.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
