Truck built in trailer brake controllers

For years there were brake controllers made that sensed the brake fluid pressure to determine the brake current. This is the same technology used by the factory controllers now. Performance of these controllers was on par with the factory controllers offered today. Problem is that people didn't understand the superior performance and opted for cheap. All these years they could have had better and safer brakes. Since sales were weak, both BrakeSmart and MaxBrake went out of business. Only now are you seeing reports of how great the "new" controllers are compared to the after-market stuff made today.

Just happen to me today, while I was pulling about 17,000 lb equipment trailer.
The beep at the cluster come on and the cluster display said
"check the trailer wiring"
I was just about to start going over the mountain pass, where there is over 1 + mile climb followed with 1 mile descent. (Caldecot tunnel)
Not likely I would notice the warning on the controller, so that beep saved me from nasty surprise.
The tow mode on my F350 is not downshifting till I slow down below 50mph, so it is basically useless.

I have a 2006 Pioneer 18CK same as yours and tow it with a 2012 2500 Silverado and love the integrated brake control, Also the Tow/Haul works great!! Effortless towing! I run my brake at 4.5 and am very pleased..

MyCK180 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. End of Sept is our next trip out. Got 3 weeks to get the 2015 Silverado broken in.

DRIVE IT! :-)

I tow with both trucks in my signature.
09 has an IBC (integrated brake controller)
06 has a Prodigy.

The two are night and day difference. Any future truck I buy will have an IBC.

Thanks for all the replies. End of Sept is our next trip out. Got 3 weeks to get the 2015 Silverado broken in.

trail-explorer wrote:

Halmfamily wrote:
Will never have a truck without it.

DITTO!

They operate the brakes much more seamlessly than an add-on controller.

Smooth. No herky-jerky.

ditto. In fact recently I had an occasion where someone not paying attention cut in front of me a the hit the brakes. I'm 60ft overall, 18,000lbs, with our duramax. I hit the brakes, ABS kicked in, brake controller worked. I srubbed off 40mph with the ABS running and stopped straight as an arrow. didn't even feel anything from the trailer, but I knew the ABS, brake controller and exhaust brake did a great job.

In normal driving, the built in controller is head and shoulders above the prodigy on our 04 silverado.

Halmfamily wrote:
Will never have a truck without it.

DITTO!

They operate the brakes much more seamlessly than an add-on controller.

Smooth. No herky-jerky.

The one on my Silverado is great. Had a 2010 Ram before this..Ummmm..not so great.

B.O.

Also love ours in our Avalanche.

Love ours on our 08 3500 D/A. IBC set at 7 and stops our 146000 lb fiver smooth and stress free. Will never have a truck without it.