brake controller?

[plasticmaster]

I'll be getting a new Silverado soon. What's better, the built in factory brake controller or a Prodigy like the P2 or P3? My current truck has a Hayes controller and I don't like the jerkiness when coming to a stop. Thanks.

[wintersun]

Go with the factory as it is intergrated with the grade control function of the engine and transmission. It is also easy to adjust with a control on the dash of the truck. The overall setup is as close to perfect as you will find and it is a bargain in terms of the cost for the tow package.

[Tystevens]

pappcam wrote:
Anyone who would choose an aftermarket brake controller over an IBC obviously has never had an integrated brake controller. There's absolutely no reason to go with an aftermarket over an integrated if it's an option. None. Zilch.

This. So much better, and not much more expensive.

[trail-explorer]

plasticmaster wrote:
I'll be getting a new Silverado soon. What's better, the built in factory brake controller or a Prodigy like the P2 or P3? My current truck has a Hayes controller and I don't like the jerkiness when coming to a stop. Thanks.

INTEGRATED ALL THE WAY.

THe integrated operates seamlessly in conjunction with the truck brakes, no jerkiness whatsoever.

Once you tow with on IBC (Integrated break controller) you will get annoyed with an add-on controller - but it sounds like you are already annoyed with it (the Hayes)

[BenK]

To the OP...'this' type of controllers are not rocket science these days.

Choices used to be time based, inertia sensed, MC PSI sensed and now
ECU Port based (would assume there is an accelerometer involved and/or
MC PSI sensed via any OEM onboard)

OEM's are mostly MC sensed and multiplexed wit the other computers
on board the vehicle.


Key is how they deal with 'real time' software and how they managed
'master/slave' hierarchical decision trees/logic flow/etc.


Again, if managing an after market brake controller (mainly setting
it up...dialing in all of the various adjustments, etc) is too much.

Then buy a used or new TV that has the integrated brake controller

[Hybridhunter]

DustyR wrote:

pappcam wrote:
Anyone who would choose an aftermarket brake controller over an IBC obviously has never had an integrated brake controller. There's absolutely no reason to go with an aftermarket over an integrated if it's an option. None. Zilch.

X-2

My thoughts also, much smoother.....

Yep. I just did the upgrade. It's night and day from a P2 to the Ford IBC. So smooth, and accurate, you literally don't know the trailer is bale there while braking. Add integrated sway control, low speed voltage tapering, and the best aftermarket unit is maybe a 5 or 6 out of ten, the IBC is an 11....

[BenK]

My opinion on this topic...

First, IMHO, I'll never touch my braking systems hydraulic for any
after market. On OEM and their 'highly integrated' controllers...okay
but I'd prefer to NOT have 'highly integrated' systems. Some day I will
have to purchase a vehicle which has 'highly integrated' every thing, but
am hoping that day is far, far down the road

My example are the all in one FAX/Copier/Printer/Scanner's I've had
to replace because one of those functions failed. Now down to only one
and is my copier (it's a scanner and FAX too). Dedicated printer and
it's outlasted two of my sisters combo units (I print 3x what she does)

Most all of the problems I've fixed (via Internet, email, hands on, etc)
all had one thing in common...not setup to optimum levels

Key is to have the brake pedal lead the trailer braking vs the TV braking

A lot has to do with where the controller senses 'turn on' or 'start
braking' from.

The other is the type of TV brake pedal switch. Most are plunger type
(think door bell's push button). They become flaky when adjusted to
snap over the switch contacts tightly (little movement from the pedal)

The GM snaps over in less than 0.01" movement. The plunger types will
have false switching down at that level of movement. They normally
tolerate about 0.06".

For MC hydraulic PSI sensed, this means that those controllers do NOT
turn on the trailer brakes until after the above movement.

With the GM pedal switch...the controller can be told to turn on the
trailer brakes before the TV's brakes develop ANY PSI. I've stopped
the whole setup without ever developing any TV MC PSI...therefore no
TV brakes

I do not know if the OEM integrated MC PSI sensed also employ the
brake pedal switch as a secondary/primary sense

'Highly integrated' does have some nifty attributes that no after market
can easily have

Matrixing it with the TV's ABS is one. Although there is one after
market brake controller that uses the diagnostic port as it's sense
I do not know if it 'talks' back to the TV's ABS system and then
has the ability to change the ABS look up tables like an integrated
would...I think not...yet

More so if the TV has traction control matrixed into the ABS system
But I don't want my trailer to know this...until it too has ABS and
traction control back there

Even then, too much can go wrong. I'm a huge fan of KISS and have
had some of my designs messed up by other components/sub-systems
overly complex behaviors

But, if all this is too much (it normally is...I'm a nerd and geek
from birth)...then the OEM integrated is perfect. Just know that it
may cost, as if and when they ever do hiccup...the service tech's
may NOT be able to figure it out and normally end up replacing parts.
Expensive parts...

[BarneyS]

09FLSTC wrote:
See if you can find a Jordan. I think they are the best.

Jordan has not been made for quite a few years. I doubt if any are to be found anymore. I had one I was not using and sold it to one of my best friends several years ago. Finding one like that would probably be the only way.

Personally, I think the Brakesmart (also no longer made) was the best one around. Not too sure about some of the newer ones out now - they may be just as good. I have been towing with an older Prodigy P2 for quite a few years now and have had excellent luck with it.

To the OP:
I think the factory built in controllers are excellent and outperform the aftermarket ones. There should be no need for an aftermarket controller if your vehicle is so equipped. If the factory controller goes out, you could certainly install an aftermarket one though without any problems.
Barney

[09FLSTC]

See if you can find a Jordan. I think they are the best.

[Mr_Beebo]

X3. I rarely need to adjust it and it so smooth as to not be noticeable.

[DustyR]

pappcam wrote:
Anyone who would choose an aftermarket brake controller over an IBC obviously has never had an integrated brake controller. There's absolutely no reason to go with an aftermarket over an integrated if it's an option. None. Zilch.

X-2

My thoughts also, much smoother.....

[pappcam]

Anyone who would choose an aftermarket brake controller over an IBC obviously has never had an integrated brake controller. There's absolutely no reason to go with an aftermarket over an integrated if it's an option. None. Zilch.

[APT]

I do not know how much the GM brake controller costs new or as a replacement. I know that last time I checked for about 2010 F-150 it was about $125 part, same as a quality aftermarket.

Integrated brake controllers are proportional based on the brake master cylinder pressure, which is a better indicator than even the inertia sensor based ones like Prodigy line. Besides that, the system also changes behavior based on ABS activation on the truck and potentially trailer sway control.

[Beer_Belly]

If the truck comes with it, I'd go with it.

[camperforlife]

plasticmaster wrote:
If the factory installed brake controller goes out, can I then buy an aftermarket controller and add it?

Yep, but I would fix the factory controller or trade the truck before I would go back to an aftermarket controller.