Trailer brakes? What does electric over hydraulic mean?

[Rcers]

Will a tekonsha prodigy P2 90855 trailer brake controller work on my 20' Springdale 189 travel trailer brake system? I noticed it says its a electric over hydraulic brake controller and my trailer only has electric brakes? Tow vehicle is a 2012 ram 1500 4x4. This will be the first trailer I have ever owned with a brake system on it so I'm just learning. Thanks for the help.

[Allworth]

Electric - The voltage output from the controller determines how much braking effort the magnets exert on the wheels.

E/H - The voltage output from the controller determines how much hydraulic pressure the actuator (pump) generates. The hydraulic pressure determines how much braking effort the disk brake pads exert on the wheels. Control is more precise, which is why auto manufacturers went to disk brakes.

Note that it would be possible to use E/H system with hydraulic drum brakes, but I've never seen it.

[Rcers]

Golden,your saying that you wouldn't use the plug n play wiring harness that tekonsha makes specifically for my vehicle? Please elaborate,thx.

[Golden_HVAC]

I would buy the used one, and install it, test it at least a few days before any planned trips.

You would want to use #10 wire to the controller input 12 volts, and run a #10 wire to the back of the RV if you can. I would use a 30 amp automatic re-set circuit breaker on the #10 wire. That way if there is a short in one of the brakes, it will reset at some point.

#10 wire will not allow as much voltage drop as the smaller and more common #12 or #14 wires.

[Old-Biscuit]

Your trailer has electric actuated brakes (12V DC Voltage to magnet that causes brake shoes to engage drum)

Some trailers have disc brakes that are hydraulically actuated and use 12V DC Voltage to engage them

The P2 Controller can be set up for either system.
It is just a circuit board that controls 12V DC Voltage being sent to trailer brake system.
As with anything it can wear out/break.....short circuit/fault.
New vs used.....have seen brand new electronic not work right out of box but it was warrantied

Personally know the individual selling one------buy on condition that it works

[Rcers]

Thanks for the quick reply's. I just found the manual online and it can be used for both types(elect and elect over hydraulic). A new one is about $120 but I know somebody who is selling one for $50. Is there anything that wears out on these units? Am I better off buying a new unit?

[Stefonius]

If I remember correctly, the Prodigy P2 will do all-electric as well as Electric over Hydraulic. There's an option in the setup menu to switch between the two.

[romore]

The system you have is the most common. Electric over hydraulic is a system where hydraulic brakes like you have on the car are activated electrically from the tow vehicle. Best to match the controller to your brakes.

[Matt_Colie]

Rcers,

It simply means that there is an electric actuator for the hydraulic brakes. This is because electric disk brakes are still very expensive. It allows the advantages of disk brakes with an electric control signal.

Matt