Timed vs inertia brake controllers

Terryallan wrote:

Fisherman wrote:
Maybe if people weren't riding each others rear bumpers, it wouldn't be such a controversial subject. If you think they come a second too late, then you're most likely driving a second too close, I had my fair share of vacationers trying that this weekend past.

I guess no one has EVER pulled out in front of you, or pulled over into your lane, or no child, dog, deer, bear, moose, or cat has ever ran in front of you.
Should any of that happen. You will be thankful for the extra second a enertia controller will give over a timed one. Following distance means nothing then.

X2

I have now TWO years in a row have had a DEER run in front of me while towing at 65 MPH.

BOTH times I was able to slow down extremely fast to avoid hitting the deer. Not only slowing down but keeping FULL control of the tow vehicle AND the trailer.

A time based unit would NEVER, EVER reacted "fast enough" and I would have either jack knifed and or rolled the whole rig.

No one ever plans to make emergency maneuvers, and in the time I saw the deer and applied the brakes on the vehicle I would never been able to keep an eye on the deer, traffic, plus mash brake pedal, press the brake controller manual override, handle steering with one hand all the while keeping the whole thing going straight..

One should ask themselves the question... Is my life not worth spending $50 more to get a proportional controller?

If my life isn't worth it, then is my families life worth it?

You decide, my answer though is a resounding YES, my life and my families lives are more important than the money..

You want at least a inertia controller. Better is the MaxBrake.

Fisherman wrote:
Maybe if people weren't riding each others rear bumpers, it wouldn't be such a controversial subject. If you think they come a second too late, then you're most likely driving a second too close, I had my fair share of vacationers trying that this weekend past.

I guess no one has EVER pulled out in front of you, or pulled over into your lane, or no child, dog, deer, bear, moose, or cat has ever ran in front of you.
Should any of that happen. You will be thankful for the extra second a enertia controller will give over a timed one. Following distance means nothing then.

Fisherman wrote:
Maybe if people weren't riding each others rear bumpers, it wouldn't be such a controversial subject. If you think they come a second too late, then you're most likely driving a second too close, I had my fair share of vacationers trying that this weekend past.

I got news for you, outside of middle of nowhere Cananda there are places with so much traffic I guarantee you will be riding each others rear if you live where I live. You can try and keep your safe distance and all the other traffic will just continually fill in the "gap" you are leaving. the roads are just plain full. no way around it if there is space it will be filled. So some people need brakes that work on their trailers. If you ever make a trip through northern Virginia on I-95 let me know if you need a quick brake application when people keep cutting in front of you when they don't have space to actually make it but come over anyways when they are doing 20 mph faster than you.

Learjet wrote:

Taco wrote:


I will say this however, the ones that are integrated into the new trucks are leaps and bounds better than the tekonsha prodigy I used before I got my new truck.

Yes, I agree the Ford controller in my F250 is much smoother than the prodigy I had in my Titan.

Interesting to see Prodigy folks realize that there IS BETTER controllers than Inertia types.

I skipped the Intertia types years ago and went with the Jordan Ultima 20-20. Sadly, the Jordans are no longer available as new but if one watches sometimes one will show up on Craigslist or Ebay.

I Recently bought a new 2013 F250 which comes standard with IBC.

The IBC "feels" exactly the same way my Jordan controller, so smooth, the trailer and tow vehicle feels like they are "one" together. No lags, no bumping, no feeling like being rear ended.

I still have my older truck with the Jordan and even if I sold that truck I would pull and keep the Jordan if for any reason the IBC ever quit and I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting a dealer to replace the IBC..

Fisherman wrote:
Not at all, I've got one of the older time based units and it works no problem at all.

Time based units DO work, however they are FAR, FAR away from being "smooth operation". You just won't understand unless you try a proportional unit, BIG difference in operation.

The biggest issue I found with Time based controllers is in stop and go traffic. If you had to stomp on the brakes fast the controller LAGGED the vehicle brakes which caused the trailer to "push" on the hitch and then the tow vehicle. Typically felt like someone was rear ending me at each stop light. Then the controller would remove all braking as soon as your brake light went out. Typically would feel like the trailer started to pull you down hill if stopped at a light facing up hill if you let up too fast on the brakes.

You might not notice those effects (not everyone notices it but I do) which may be why you don't think there is a problem with Time based controllers.

Honestly, I think you should consider trying at least a Inertia type and see how smooth towing should be..

Best TBC I've owned was the one in my 10 F150, it was the OEM, 2nd best a tie, Primus IQ and P2. Worst was the OEM TBC in my 12 Ram 2500. Never worked with tow different trailers. Now using a Primus IQ and it's darn near as good as the OEM F150.

Ops...double post

I don't have one of the best on the market, but love it never the less and it
does things the best on the market can not do...it is a P3

Time based will not perform as well as the newer controllers...it can only proved
ever increasing braking for the trailer brakes over time...no matter if you need
it RIGHT NOW

Maybe if people weren't riding each others rear bumpers, it wouldn't be such a controversial subject. If you think they come a second too late, then you're most likely driving a second too close, I had my fair share of vacationers trying that this weekend past.