Trailer Brake Controlers

[rodeoboy]

I have a 38 foot Montana 5th wheel and use a Pilot brake controller. Although I know my trailer is close to being overweight, I have noticed that my trailer just does not stop as fast as I would like and I have the controller maxed out.

I was thinking of switching out the controller cause it is almost 12 years old now.

What brake controllers do you use?

Just wondering,
Rodeoboy

[oldbird1965]

I'm a little late to this party but a problem has developed on my P3. I have upgraded Mor/ryde disk brakes on my Travel Supreme 5er and last year didn't have any problems. I even had to back off the setting because of too much 5er brakes. Now, I'm hardly getting any action out of braking and I've turned the P3 way up. When I hit the brakes, I'm only getting .3 to .7 when I used to get 2.0 to 3.0. I emailed Tekonsha but no response yet. I think the controller has gone bad because when I reach down and use the brake lever on the controller it stops great! Any thoughts? Thanks

[rodeoboy]

Thanks to all. I have not adjusted the brakes but I did look at them and they still have a lot of show left.

I will look into adjusting them and maybe Santa will bring me a new brake controller over the holidays.

Thanks,
Rodeoboy

[BenK]

Most of the problems I've helped out with here and personally hands on...were with
the trailer side of the braking system

Poor wiring. From 'just' big enough gauge to El Cheapo connectors. And their
routing to save a few inches to a few feet has some runs doing double duty (gauge
will then be too small for that section/run)

The biggest culprit are the drum/shoe magnet wires. Both just barely large
enough and many times not in good shape...with short potentials

Finally, the shoes need to be adjusted often. The self adjusters don't do the
job well enough


Over on the TV side...the sense point is often not adjusted to have the trailer
lead the TV. GM has a nifty brake pedal switch that snaps over with less than
1/32" movement.

Other OEMs has the plunger type (think door bell button) and has to be manually
adjusted tighter...but the issue is not too tight, as it will false trip

[RCMAN46]

I believe the Pilot controller is a time based unit.

I would recommend getting a Prodigy P3 and you will not believe the difference in how smooth the P3 is compared to the Pilot.

[jerem0621]

How much money do you want to spend?

A new brake controller will NOT make the brakes any more powerful.

Once you verify that the current brake controller is sending max power to the brakes (test it) and the brake controller is not deficient you have many options.

1) Verify the wiring on the trailer is of sufficient gauge and isn't damaged and the grounds are good.
2) Verify the 7 way plug on the truck and the trailer isn't corroded
3) Visually inspect the trailer brakes... they may need a simple adjustment (the auto adjusters do a great job...not) if so, you can either stop here or go straight to #6.
4) If the brakes are worn to the point they need replaced... replace the brakes.

Now, here is where it gets interesting.

5) You can replace the entire brake assembly as one unit simply by buying new complete backing plates that come with new brakeshoes, magnents, and springs. (great option).... or....

6) You can step up to the plate and REALLY upgrade your braking system to a Disk brake system.... this means that you will have Hydraulic disk brakes and you will have an electric/hydraulic actuator on your trailer.

If you go with option 6) you will have one of the best stopping fivers on the road.

If you fix the drum brakes you can keep running the Pilot or upgrade to the Prodigy.. the Prodigy is nice but a REAL upgrade on your brake controller is a DirecLink

If you do the Disk upgrade you will have to go with a Prodigy or a DirecLink or another controller that works with electric over hydraulic.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[mileshuff]

Similar problem here. Rather weak brakes on my new 5'er. Dealer checked brakes, even hooked it up to their own TV and said things were fine. Another RV shop hooked up a tester to TV and said my controller and wiring are working fine.

I have a P3 thats about 7 years old. It had worked fine on my 5000lb TT. It would lock up the brakes if I cranked the P3 too high. On my new 5'er I can feel braking just barely enough to help. No noticeable difference in braking when adjusting P3 from 5V max to 10V max.

[1492]

Moved from Technology Corner

[ScottG]

A P2 or P3 will both work the same - strength wise. The P3 is a little fancier.

[Ron3rd]

Most popular is the Tekonsha Prodigy line. P2 or P3 are good choices. I've got an old original Prodigy, over 10 years old and it still works like new. You might have some other problem too, like brakes needing adjustment.

[tvman44]

Adjust the brakes and get a P-3.

[Old-Biscuit]

When was the last time you adjusted brakes of that 2009 Montana?
OEM brakes?

As for brake controller.....Tekonsha P3