which brake controller is most preffered

jerem0621 wrote:
I have had them all. The timed based controllers work. That is absolutely true. I have had proportional controllers as well. They work too.

My Voyager was a good controller but so was my Hayes Syncronizer. The only issue that I have with proportional controllers is the potential for them not to work in slick or lose conditions. What if the you hit the brakes on the tv and the front tires skid or abs kicks in? The proportional controller may not send much if any power to the trailer. Timed controllers will apply trailer brakes every time you hit the pedal.

Proportional are smoother
Timed tend to let you feel the tug of the trailer more. (Some may actually find this comforting)

Both are safe and meet the legal requirements for having trailer brakes.

Study how to adjust your controller. If your not satisfied with it then look into other options.

I have a friend who is always fiddling with his Prodigy and is not satisfied. Another with a Hayes Synchronizer who is completely satisfied.

Thanks

Jeremiah

The only thing I would add for discussion. If you loose traction on the TV, do you really want the trailer brakes hitting like on a timed controller or more subtly like a proportional in that situation?

I have had them all. The timed based controllers work. That is absolutely true. I have had proportional controllers as well. They work too.

My Voyager was a good controller but so was my Hayes Syncronizer. The only issue that I have with proportional controllers is the potential for them not to work in slick or lose conditions. What if the you hit the brakes on the tv and the front tires skid or abs kicks in? The proportional controller may not send much if any power to the trailer. Timed controllers will apply trailer brakes every time you hit the pedal.

Proportional are smoother
Timed tend to let you feel the tug of the trailer more. (Some may actually find this comforting)

Both are safe and meet the legal requirements for having trailer brakes.

Study how to adjust your controller. If your not satisfied with it then look into other options.

I have a friend who is always fiddling with his Prodigy and is not satisfied. Another with a Hayes Synchronizer who is completely satisfied.

Thanks

Jeremiah

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
I must say I'm a little confused about brake controllers in the RV world.
I'm just wondering if there some aspect of RV'n that makes the controller more critical than in all other towing with electric brakes? Weight ratios of vehicle / trailer maybe?? Axles loaded closer to their limits all the time?
Since it was part of the "deal", and I know I could change it easily, I let my RV dealer put in their "house brand" when they setup our TV. I didn't even ask, I just figured I'd see what they used. They put in a Reese brand controller and it seems to work fine, but I haven't gone too far with it yet.

I''d have to agree. I'm sure the P2/P3 are good controllers and seem to be the controllers of choice but that doesn't mean other controllers are junk. I run the Reese, mostly because it was in my truck when I got it, and it works fine. I have a 99 Ram2500 with a V10 pulling a 26' Wave trailer now. The trailer has a dry weight of 7100lbs and GVWR of 8600lbs and the Reese works fine running around the mountains of northern Arizona. So I'd vote for tring what you have now and see how you like it before swapping it out. JMHO.

One more vote for the P3.
First time I used mine, it was set at maximum brake. I dialed it down to 6 and it worked like a dream.
Another benefit is that I can unclip it from it's holder and stick it in the cloth bag that comes with it when I'm not towing.

I owned a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and towed a lot with it. The P2 is a great brake control, I never had any issues with it once I had it set up and dialed in when I first installed it.

When I sold my TT and my former TV, I removed the P2 and thought I kept it, however when I bought my Expy, I looked and couldn't find it! (LOL), so I bought a new P3 from RVWholesalers plus the cable to plug directly into my Expy's wiring harness. As others have said, plug and play.

It stayed in my Expy for about 3 years un-usused until I used it to bring home my Layton last month. Hooked up the 7-way plug from the trailer, the P3 instantly recognized a trailer was hooked up.

I didn't have time to read the instructions on how to set the P3 before leaving, however to this day the P3 has needed NO adjustments. It's set up directly OUT OF BOX and works PERFECTLY.

With both the P2 and P3, the truck and trailer brakes AS ONE, no jerking or anything like that. I like boost 1 on the p3 for just a hint of trailer lead breaking, but it's hardly noticeable.

Every time I have called Tekonsha they have been VERY helpful. I cannot say enough about these brake controllers. There are higher priced units out there, but I've often wondered how you could improve on the P3's performance. It's that good. (and I don't work for Tekonsha either!) :)

Prodigy. I bought the P2 in 2005 long before the P3 came out. I've used it with 2 different trailers and it still works great. The only time I had to adjust it was when it was new, and we got a new trailer earlier this year.

There are other controllers out there but the P3 is the standard and a very good controller. Customer service is second to none and it has a lifetime warranty. Something even the Brake Smart did not have when they were in business.

When towing
I do change the boost setting. B2 on the open road and no boost in heavy city traffic when speeds are below 35. Very easy to change and it does not alter the main gain setting.

P3, looked on-line found New P3 AND the proper cable for my truck .
(cable was free)

plugs right in.. ready to go.
drove 600 miles to get trailer. plugged trailer into truck followed directions for brakes.. did test drive and adjusted controller .. started at 6.0 .. after third stop adjusted to 6.6 and then drove New to me trailer 100 miles on back roads to park trailer.

Love my P3

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
I must say I'm a little confused about brake controllers in the RV world.
I'm just wondering if there some aspect of RV'n that makes the controller more critical than in all other towing with electric brakes? Weight ratios of vehicle / trailer maybe?? Axles loaded closer to their limits all the time?
Since it was part of the "deal", and I know I could change it easily, I let my RV dealer put in their "house brand" when they setup our TV. I didn't even ask, I just figured I'd see what they used. They put in a Reese brand controller and it seems to work fine, but I haven't gone too far with it yet.

I would vote say there is little difference in the weight ratios and brake systems between conventional trailer and RV. There may be more discussion here since RV's are used less frequently and users might have a learning curve, compared to those that tow everyday.