Question on brake controllers

[Bobbo]

DW and I are considering adding a Scamp 13' trailer to our stable. Since I am going to be towing it with a 2010 Subaru Forester, near its tow capacity, I WILL have electric brakes.

My question:

I am considering getting the Tekonsha Prodigy RF system that actually attaches to the trailer rather than being installed in the tow vehicle. That way I can tow it with any of my cars, rather than be limited to just the Subaru.

Does anyone know of pros/cons for this particular system?

If I don't get the RF, I will probably get the Prodigy P2 or P3.

Thanks for your input.

[Bobbo]

Definitely something to consider.

[cpaharley2008]

I think you will find that the tongue weight of the Scamp 13 will exceed the 200# list of the Subaru, over here on FGRV there is a wealth of info on that subject....http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f51/trailer-weights-in-the-real-world-43010.html

[houtrz]

Olli, what is your tow vehicle? Not sure if you read my previous posts but if your vehicle has bulb out detector you will have a hard time pairing the unit but there is a $20 fix.

[Olli]

A hitch store sold me on the Prodigy RF a week ago. Apparently this is a best seller for many SUV's, crossovers or vehicles with knee air bags. We got the controller as a part of the vehicle purchase. I'll see how it works once the snow melts.

[houtrz]

I hooked up the lamp sensor bypass and was able to pair the unit in about one minute. Easy to set up and I took it out for a test drive and it works perfectly. Even if you unplug the remote in your tow vehicle, your brakes still work however the brakes will be applied at the last gain setting before the remote was unplugged and of course you wouldn't have manual control at that point. The system offers three Boost settings as well.

[Bobbo]

Once it is paired, does it stay paired? If so, you can get a friend who has a 7 pin outlet on his car to let you use it to pair the remote.

Worth a try.

[houtrz]

I just bought the RF wireless system and can't get it to pair. Our tow vehicle is a Mercedes ML and from what I understand, vehicles that have bulb out sensor might need a bypass adapter in order to pair the unit. I bought it online for $20 and hopefully can try it out in a few days.

[hohenwald48]

You know, I don't see where there would be any problem if you took a regular Tekonsha brake controller (of any variety) and mounted on the trailer A frame. The only problem would be your inability to monitor and adjust from the drivers seat and the fact that the controller is not water tight.

I suspect that's exactly what Tekonsha did. Simply repackaged one of their standard controllers in a water proof housing and added an RF remote so you can monitor and adjust from the driver's seat. I imagine it would work just as good as any other Tekonsha controller. It wouldn't surprise me to find out it's a repackaged P3.

I bet if you contacted them they would tell you.

[Tom_Trostel]

Several owners over at fiberglassrv.com are using the RF.

[SoundGuy]

Bobbo wrote:
Can you get a wiring harness for the P3 separately?

Sure, but you'd want to check on the Tekonsha website to see if all 3 of your vehicles are wired to accept a "Plug and Play" harness ... if not, you'd have to hardwire the brake controller harness into whichever vehicle is not P&P.

[Bobbo]

SoundGuy wrote:
I've owned a Tekonsha POD (awful), Tekonsha Voyager (not bad), an original Prodigy (pretty good), and now run a Tekonsha P3 and there's no doubt the P3 is far and away the best controller of the bunch. That said, for anyone who wants to use multiple tow vehicles the Tekonsha RF is the answer that is just as capable as the P3, the only downside being cost as it's quite a bit more expensive.

OP here. The Tekonsha RF is about twice the price of a P3, so if equipping 2 cars, the price is a wash. If equipping 3 cars, the RF is cheaper.

Unless.

Can you get a wiring harness for the P3 separately? That way I can install the wiring in all 3 of my cars, then move the P3 to the car that I am towing with that day.

[SoundGuy]

Bobbo wrote:
I am considering getting the Tekonsha Prodigy RF system that actually attaches to the trailer rather than being installed in the tow vehicle. That way I can tow it with any of my cars, rather than be limited to just the Subaru.

Does anyone know of pros/cons for this particular system?

I've owned a Tekonsha POD (awful), Tekonsha Voyager (not bad), an original Prodigy (pretty good), and now run a Tekonsha P3 and there's no doubt the P3 is far and away the best controller of the bunch. That said, for anyone who wants to use multiple tow vehicles the Tekonsha RF is the answer that is just as capable as the P3, the only downside being cost as it's quite a bit more expensive.

[skiles]

I don't have any experience with the RF system but I'll throw in a vote for the P3. It's good stuff.

[FrankShore]

Do yourself a favor and get a Tekonsha P3. Can be mounted sideways or upside down, if need be. The P3 has a lovely digital "set and forget" display!