I've been struggling with an issue regarding my brakes on my 5er for the last year. I've had the brakes redone - without magnets, and replaced the wiring from the tongue to the brakes themselves and I still don't have the original braking in the 5er.I've decided to replace all four brake assemblies (backing plates) new, get the drums turned (what a pain finding a location that can do both surfaces on the drums) and the controller.My current controller is "Vintage" (circa 2001) and I think it's time for an upgrade.Suggestions - and how hard is it to swap the controller?Thanks in advance,Josh

If you get a pre-assembled harness for the new controller it's plug and play. I'd really like to hear how the new brakes worked out. My brakes are in good shape and are even over sized for the weight of my trailer (my CCC is 4K lbs) but they have never worked as well as I feel they should.I've been considering replacing everything too.

It's a keystone Cougar - we've had it since 2010 and when we took possession, the brakes worked really well. in the spring of 2011, on the way back from a trip, the brakes weren't engaging. I spent some coin with a reputable RV dealer, and he swapped the pads, and then the brakes were still barely engaging. I then had him swap the wiring (from 12/14 gauge) to 10 from the tongue to the brakes directly. That didn't work either. I then had him pull back some insulation on the brakes and with a 12v battery connect directly to the brakes without using the controller. That didn't work (we tried the brake away switch and that didn't work either).I'm wondering if it's the magnets or the drums are glazed (which I didn't get them hot enough to do any damage.That being said, i figure I'll have the drums turned (both surfaces) and then replace the entire brake assemblies and ultimately the controller as well (it's never worked great - and I have to constantly adjust it).Thanks for the plug and play tip. I was planning on getting the harness with the controller. take care,Josh

I know you have probably done this, but have you jacked up a wheel spun it and then engaged the brake controller to actually see that the wheel stops spinning?When I replaced my brakes I put on four new complete brake plate assemblies. After that I found that one of the wheel brakes was not working. I looked at everything I had done and everthing seemed to be in order, but there was no voltage at that wheels magnet when I applied the brakes.I use a good RV man that comes to your house. I called him and found that even though I thought I had completely stripped a wire at the brake before putting a compression fitting on my RV man showed me that there was still a clear plastic coating over the wire. He stripped that plastic coating off and reconnected the wire and everything worked fine.

IMHO Prodigy is the best brake controller.

Have you ever adjusted the brakes?Jim

New Brake Controller - Recommendation. | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

jodeb720
Explorer
May 12, 2013
It's a keystone Cougar - we've had it since 2010 and when we took possession, the brakes worked really well.

in the spring of 2011, on the way back from a trip, the brakes weren't engaging. I spent some coin with a reputable RV dealer, and he swapped the pads, and then the brakes were still barely engaging.

I then had him swap the wiring (from 12/14 gauge) to 10 from the tongue to the brakes directly. That didn't work either. I then had him pull back some insulation on the brakes and with a 12v battery connect directly to the brakes without using the controller. That didn't work (we tried the brake away switch and that didn't work either).

I'm wondering if it's the magnets or the drums are glazed (which I didn't get them hot enough to do any damage.

That being said, i figure I'll have the drums turned (both surfaces) and then replace the entire brake assemblies and ultimately the controller as well (it's never worked great - and I have to constantly adjust it).

Thanks for the plug and play tip. I was planning on getting the harness with the controller.

take care,

Josh
ScottG
Nomad
May 12, 2013
If you get a pre-assembled harness for the new controller it's plug and play.
I'd really like to hear how the new brakes worked out. My brakes are in good shape and are even over sized for the weight of my trailer (my CCC is 4K lbs) but they have never worked as well as I feel they should.
I've been considering replacing everything too.

Forum Discussion

New Brake Controller - Recommendation.

22 Replies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Sway Control

Recommendations for solar charge/controller

installation and recommendation for brake controller

Prodigy Brake Control ?

Water Heater Replacement Recommendations