Need advice on replacing my brakesmart controller

[Armand_C]

After 13 years, my brakesmart controller finally failed. Now I need to replace it with a new brake controller. During a search for a new one, i discovered that they no longer make Brakesmart controllers. I need a recommendation on a new controller. My dealer recommended that I not use any controller that ties into the master cylinder on my truck when i mentioned i was looking at a maxbrake controller. Anyone have any recommendations for a brake controller. My truck is a 2004 Ford F250 and integrated brake controllers were not offered on that vehicle until the following model year. When looking at the Max brake controller, I didn't see anything that would fit my truck.

[Lynnmor]

OK, you win! Run over the stopped traffic in front of you, barge right up and over that muddy campsite, and most of all disregard the topic which had Brakesmart in it. Eight wheels with brakes is worse than no brakes at all, now I understand. If only I could have learned all this many years ago.

[Terryallan]

Lynnmor wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

time2roll wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
How much inertia is there when you are about stopped on a hill and you are trying to hold with just the truck? Keep that hand control handy.

I have never noticed that stopped on a hill presents a braking issue.
Just more FUD.

honestly. IF the TV can't hold the truck, and trailer on a hill. you got more problems than a trailer brake controller. You need to get the TV to a BRAKE shop.

Since I mentioned slippery conditions earlier, I thought you might be able to understand that the truck might not be able to hold when it is on ice or mud. I guess that I don’t live in a perfect world. I still like all my brakes connected to my foot pedal, you may not care. The Brakesmart was better in that the new IBC’ s do little or nothing below 11 mph, requiring hand operation at slow speeds on poor surfaces instead of giving the steering wheel undivided attention.

ALL the tires locked up. Will NOT hold it on ice on a steep hill. that is why you don't fully stop on ice on a steep hill, and you NEVER stop in heavy mud, even on flat ground

And again. Pushing the Brakesmart, a controller that is no longer avaliable is pointless. You can't buy one.

[Lynnmor]

Terryallan wrote:

time2roll wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
How much inertia is there when you are about stopped on a hill and you are trying to hold with just the truck? Keep that hand control handy.

I have never noticed that stopped on a hill presents a braking issue.
Just more FUD.

honestly. IF the TV can't hold the truck, and trailer on a hill. you got more problems than a trailer brake controller. You need to get the TV to a BRAKE shop.

Since I mentioned slippery conditions earlier, I thought you might be able to understand that the truck might not be able to hold when it is on ice or mud. I guess that I don’t live in a perfect world. I still like all my brakes connected to my foot pedal, you may not care. The Brakesmart was better in that the new IBC’ s do little or nothing below 11 mph, requiring hand operation at slow speeds on poor surfaces instead of giving the steering wheel undivided attention.

[Terryallan]

time2roll wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
How much inertia is there when you are about stopped on a hill and you are trying to hold with just the truck? Keep that hand control handy.

I have never noticed that stopped on a hill presents a braking issue.
Just more FUD.

honestly. IF the TV can't hold the truck, and trailer on a hill. you got more problems than a trailer brake controller. You need to get the TV to a BRAKE shop.

[time2roll]

Lynnmor wrote:
How much inertia is there when you are about stopped on a hill and you are trying to hold with just the truck? Keep that hand control handy.

I have never noticed that stopped on a hill presents a braking issue.
Just more FUD.

[Terryallan]

memtb wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:

memtb wrote:
JMO. If it’s an inertia type controller, and you are on ice.....when braking the truck you will get little to no inertia, thereby “no” braking to the trailer! Am I correct in this assumption? This was much of the reason we went with the Brakesmart!

Not correct. That is the purpose of the boost feature.

So...... it’s pretty much the same as gain.....by another name! But still needs inertia to function.

Not so. the boost feature sets a certain amount of initial trailer braking. 25 percent, or 35 percent. That initial braking happens as soon as you touch the brake pedal, BEFORE the Brake controller feels the TV slow. However, It only lasts for a second. IF the BC does not "feel" the TV slow. It releases the TT brake. It is used only to have the trailer brakes lead the TV brakes, until the accelerometer takes over. The more heavy the trailer is. the more boost is used. IF you watch the Prodigy digital display. You can see the current spike when you touch the pedal, and the dive when it releases. It is truly proportional. It applies the trailer brakes as hard as the TV brakes. IF the TV brakes are not applied. the trailer brakes aren't either. If the TV brakes are only slightly applied. So are the trailer brakes.

I used a Prodigy for more than 10 years. They work GREAT. I actually still have it. but since the new TV has a factory controller. The Prodigy is in the building.

[Lynnmor]

memtb wrote:


So...... it’s pretty much the same as gain.....by another name! But still needs inertia to function.

No, boost causes some braking action whenever the brake light is on. Gain sets the amount of braking based on deceleration.

[Lynnmor]

Call me crazy, but I think eight tires braking trumps four tires.

I have towed a large snowmobile trailer thru most of the northern states and three provinces on secondary roads and all kinds of conditions. I just might have learned a bit about braking.

How much inertia is there when you are about stopped on a hill and you are trying to hold with just the truck? Keep that hand control handy.

[memtb]

RCMAN46 wrote:

memtb wrote:
JMO. If it’s an inertia type controller, and you are on ice.....when braking the truck you will get little to no inertia, thereby “no” braking to the trailer! Am I correct in this assumption? This was much of the reason we went with the Brakesmart!

Not correct. That is the purpose of the boost feature.

So...... it’s pretty much the same as gain.....by another name! But still needs inertia to function.

[Lantley]

RCMAN46 wrote:

memtb wrote:
JMO. If it’s an inertia type controller, and you are on ice.....when braking the truck you will get little to no inertia, thereby “no” braking to the trailer! Am I correct in this assumption? This was much of the reason we went with the Brakesmart!

Not correct. That is the purpose of the boost feature.

Inertia based controllers will apply braking. Once you lift your foot from the gas deceleration begins. Once the brake pedal is push braking begins as well, the inertia based controller will sense deceleration and activate brakes.
If the truck is sliding on ice what makes you thing trailer will not slide on ice as well, Brakesmart does not magically create traction for the trailer to keep it from sliding.
There maybe lots of reason to get a brakesmart controller but driving/sliding on ice is not one of them!

[RCMAN46]

memtb wrote:
JMO. If it’s an inertia type controller, and you are on ice.....when braking the truck you will get little to no inertia, thereby “no” braking to the trailer! Am I correct in this assumption? This was much of the reason we went with the Brakesmart!

Not correct. That is the purpose of the boost feature.

[time2roll]

Lynnmor wrote:

memtb wrote:
JMO. If it’s an inertia type controller, and you are on ice.....when braking the truck you will get little to no inertia, thereby “no” braking to the trailer! Am I correct in this assumption? This was much of the reason we went with the Brakesmart!

You are correct. While some talked about ice, something as simple as wet leaves or mud in a campground might leave you wishing that your foot controlled the brakes. The idea that your trailer brakes will only assist if your truck already has the ability to stop is almost funny.

If your truck is sliding on leaves or ice you suddenly expect the trailer to stop you?

The trailer with an inertia controller applies the same braking force as the truck up to and including locking up the brakes if you program it that way. OK the oem controllers might be a bit more exact but the Prodigy P2 & P3 actually do work and work quite well actually.

Again why do you expect the trailer to have more braking power than the truck? You do this much in bad conditions the trailer will lock-up and come around.

[Lantley]

There is no brake controller epidemic. I imagine there are thousands of inertia based controller in use all across the country in all types of weather.
Somehow the trailers keep stopping. The sky is not falling.

[memtb]

First, if I’m on ice....the trailer “will” be cabled! But, pretending it weren't...less gain on the controller, and “prudent” brake to the tow vehicle, will help keep things in order. You need/want the trailer to do the majority of the braking.....helps keep things in a straight line stop. If the tow vehicle, does the majority of the braking....you “will” have a front-row seat, as you watch your trailer pass you up! 😉