Need to upgrade brake control
New rig is heavier than Cougar 281EFS 5th and my old brake controller is not doing its job! Checking around for a better brake controller…….any recommendations? Tow vehicle is 2002 F350 Power Strok...
Forum Discussion
RoyB wrote:
I used my PRODIGY II for years until I got my new 2010 Ford truck which had the brake controller built-in.
The FORD BUILT-IN model is totally connected to the FORD Computers and other truck systems and does one thing I hate and makes wish I still was using my PRODIGY.
The FORD Series brake controller are designed not to work with the BRAKE PEDAL when you are under 10MPH speed.
This bothers me when sitting at a stop sign as I would sometimes like to have the trailer brakes engaged especially if I am stopped on a incline.
I have to use the MANUAL SLIDER BAR to keep my trailer brakes active in the situation...
Roy Ken
Not sure your statement is anywhere 100% correct for ALL Ford IBCs.
Sometime I will have to connect an ammeter to my 2013 F250.. I see a lot of folks posting a lot of crazy stuff about the Ford IBC.
I can tell you this, my 2013 has an BAR GRAPH INDICATOR screen that I can view when my trailer is connected.
The bar graph goes from no bar to full bars smoothly as I vary the pressure on the brake pedal. I HAVE done this WHILE I WAS PARKED (engine on and running AND gear shift is in PARK) and as well as while I am driving and braking.
Folks like to spout a lot of stuff you did and one of my favorites is the Ford IBC uses a "prodigy" controller built in.
The fact that my IBC display has a fully proportional bar graph display leads me to believe that the Ford IBC (at least 2011 and up) IS NOT using any Intertial type of controller and is most likely READING the pressure on the MC..
If what you say is happening I would be noticing the old bump and bang that a time based controller gives. Could not be farther from the truth, I CAN NOT TELL any difference between my Ford IBC and my older truck which has a Jordan Ultima 2020 (which is THE "Gold Standard" for brake control smoothness).
I avoided the IBCs for years in order to allow the designers to work out the bugs. Early IBCs did have a few issues like not operating under 10 MPH but really, the brakes on my 2013 F250 are extremely aggressive and even if the controller was not doing anything under 10 MPH my truck should have no problem stopping a lot more weight than the vehicle at 10 MPH or less.
As far as the OP, unless your existing controller is malfunctioning or it is time based don't waste time or money. A new controller WILL NOT INCREASE your braking power.
Perhaps you should post make and model of your controller and the symptoms you are having?
