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jerem0621's avatar
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2015

First Experience with a Prodigy Brake Controller

I have gone through the typical progression of brake controllers.

Time based and then a pendulum based proportional brake controller.

I ended up with a Tekonsha Voyager and was very pleased with that controller. I had to set the level and the power but once set it worked pretty well.

I now have a Prodigy 1 with the Red Display that I bought used off of eBay. I got to use this controller with our Awesome Pop Up Camper and our Minivan combo. I am amazed at how well this brake controller works.

I wasn't sure how I would like the boost function but I think its great. I find myself setting the controller to Boost 1 and leaving it alone. Once the power was set the braking was VERY smooth.

The trailer brakes now lead the TV brakes and I appreciate how that feel. In stop and go and highway braking the experience was extremely smooth.

Overall, I think the Prodigy line of controllers are a great choice when installed correctly and set up correctly and I highly recommend them.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Tow Vehicles

3 Replies

  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Apr 12, 2015
    I've got an 11 year old Prodigy (base model) that still works great, no need to change.
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    Comment on the boost and leading the TV in braking...

    Jeremiah...now you have experience on what I've been chastised about not knowing
    what the heck...as many do NOT have their controllers lead the TV braking...

    By leading the TV...it becomes much smooooooooooother, no jerking and the biggie
    for me...manages the whole setup much better and even safer...meaning reduces the
    chances of jack-knifing during braking off center line when the trailer is off line

    The boost is to get the braking pre-set to whatever it is set to (your preference
    and dependent on the TV/TT, terrain and how you drive)

    Once the trailer starts to DECELERATE, the inertia sensor takes over to
    increase the amount of braking by itself based on what rate of deceleration is sensed

    What I mean that I can decelerate the whole setup (TT & TV) without ever pressing
    farther into the TV's brake pedal...the controller continues to increase the
    amount of braking voltage/power to the trailer brakes as long as there is
    deceleration sensed

    Since a PUP and the smaller dia wheels, therefore smaller dia brake components...you
    have to be careful of NOT over taxing your setup...as it is easily done with
    any of the P-series

    I can start the trailer braking just by touching the TV brake pedal and do NOT
    have to use the manual lever/button at all...just that touch will get the trailer
    brakes going

    That is to stop any wiggle and all of the setups I've ever driven has a wiggle
    once in a while. The setups I've helped dial in had the owner sitting right next
    to me in the passenger seat NOT feel those tiny wiggles...
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 12, 2015
    I went through a couple of Voyagers. The first one just got weak so I bought another.
    I finally tossed the second Voyager after having to stop on seriously steep hill (a detour) and found it didn't work in reverse. I had to stand on my truck brakes to hold it from rolling backwards down hill.
    Finally got the P2 and it's not only stronger but it's activates much more naturally. And works going backwards.

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