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jbeall's avatar
jbeall
Explorer
Sep 23, 2013

TrailerMate X10 Brake Controller--good controller?

We need to get a brake controller (never pulled anything heavy enough to need brakes before), and in searching etrailer.com, I've narrowed it down to the TrailerMate X10 or the Tekonsha Prodigy P3. After factoring in shipping and the wiring to plug it in to my 2003 GMC Yukon XL's junction box, the Tekonsha is going to be just over $60 more.

I don't think I need any of the "extra" features of the Tekonsha P3. As best I can tell, those features are:


  • Configurable display color
  • Remember settings for different trailers
  • Display error *message*, not just code you have to lookup in the manual


In addition, it seems that the Tekonsha P3 is well known, whereas the TrailerMate X10 is not. I can't find many reviews on it.

Is the TrailerMate X10 a reputable unit? If the only extra features of the P3 are what I listed above, I'm happy to save a few bucks and skip them. Interested to hear feedback from more seasoned folks.

Thanks!

-Josh

8 Replies

  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Sep 24, 2013
    You can also go with the proportional Tekonsha Primus IQ which many claim is a basic Prodigy without all the bells and whistles. I've got a 9 year old original Prodigy and the IQ appears very similar. Buddy just bought an IQ and is satisfied.

    Never heard of the TrailerMate BTW.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2013
    Buy a Tekensha Prodigy P2. You can find them for $100 shipped on various places like Ebay. Paying for the name? Maybe, but it just works. The X10? If no RVers have heard of it, why risk it for $20? Millions of happy Prodigy owners.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Sep 24, 2013
    I have never heard of that brand, but the fit and finish looks questionable to me.

    There are some places to try to save a few bucks. The brake controller is not one IMHO. Please spend the extra meal at Cracker Barrel's worth and get a proven brand Like a Tekonsha or a Hayes Proportional Brake Control.

    I run a Tekonsha Voyager and I am quite happy with it. Its about 10 years old and just keeps on working. Folks will say its junk because its not tri axis self leveling etc.. but the thing is flat reliable AND proportional. Where will the TrailerMate X10 be in 10 years? Maybe attached to the dash.. possibly at the bottom of a land fill.

    PS.. a Voyager is within a few bucks of the TrailerMate X10. Just FYI.

    Thanks!
  • jbeall's avatar
    jbeall
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2013
    carringb wrote:
    It has a leveling dial, which means it either uses a pendulum, or a single axis accelerometer. The Prodigy uses a 2-axis accelerometer. This results in smoother braking in more conditions (note: I still keep my trusty pendulum-based Voyager under the seat as a backup).


    What is the "leveling dial" you're referring to? I watched the review and looked at all the pictures of the TravelMate X10 and I don't see that part. The three inputs are the load setting (on the side) the gain setting (on the top) and the manual override slide (on the front, pushed in to the side).

    Here's a video about it:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGKMXVZr8V8

    What am I missing? Is the "leveling dial" one of these three, or something else?

    -Josh
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2013
    It has a leveling dial, which means it either uses a pendulum, or a single axis accelerometer. The Prodigy uses a 2-axis accelerometer. This results in smoother braking in more conditions (note: I still keep my trusty pendulum-based Voyager under the seat as a backup).
  • jbeall's avatar
    jbeall
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2013
    BarneyS wrote:
    I would go with a Tekonsha P2. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the P3 but works exactly the same, which is very well.
    Barney


    The P2 is still about $48 more than the TrailerMate X10. Am I paying for anything besides the Tekonsha name? I guess that's really my question. Seems like the Tekonsha is a respected brand, and TrailerMate is not as well known (and respected). I'm happy to pay more for a better quality product, but sometimes the brand-names aren't any better than the "little guy". I'd rather not pay just for the name.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Nomad
    Sep 23, 2013
    I would go with a Tekonsha P2. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the P3 but works exactly the same, which is very well.
    Barney

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