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Old 02-08-2016, 11:38 PM   #1
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Brake Controller Guidance

Hello,

I am purchasing a 2012 Surveyor SP295 and will be pulling it with a 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 Z71. It is coming with a distribution hitch, but do I need a brake controller? If so, what do you recommend? Is it okay to buy used or should I get new? Also, what levelers do you like? Thanks for your help.
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Old 02-09-2016, 12:11 AM   #2
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Favorite brake controller for many is the Prodigy P2 or P3.
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Old 02-09-2016, 12:24 AM   #3
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Yes you absolutely need a brake controller. Get a proportional brake controller and not a time based controller. The prodigy p2 or prodigy p3 are very good. You can get a plug and play harness for them. I sold a perfectly good one used on craigslist simply because I upgraded to a tow vehicle thAt had an integrated brake controller. You can get them cheaper that way.

Do you have a tow package including heavy duty transmission cooler on your burn? If not then get one added on.
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Old 02-09-2016, 02:06 AM   #4
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It's required by law to have a brake controller, if the trailer has electric brakes.
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Old 02-09-2016, 07:06 AM   #5
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Yeah not the thing to go cheap on. I had a prodigy p2 for a few years and worked great.

In most states any trailer over 1500lbs to 3000 lbs loaded weight (amount depends on state) needs it's own set of WORKING brakes.

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Old 02-09-2016, 07:19 AM   #6
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You must have a brake controller. You can't go wrong with the intuitive Prodigy P3 brake controller.

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Old 02-09-2016, 07:41 AM   #7
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Prodigy P2 here. Very pleased with it.


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Old 02-09-2016, 12:28 PM   #8
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If you're interested I have a Prodigy P3 I've been meaning to sell since I bought my new truck with a built-in controller. I also have the 3025-P cable which should work in your Suburban. I was using it in my 2000 Chevrolet C-2500 pickup. Works great.

Alan

P.S. I bought it 3/2013.
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Old 02-09-2016, 01:03 PM   #9
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I have an original Prodigy from 2003 that's been used on 2 trailers and 3 tow vehicles. The P2 or P3 are the best bang-for-the-buck.

Grab that P3 and cable from wtxdxer (send Alan a PM). These have no moving parts internally, so there is very little that can go bad on them, compared to the types with mechanical pendulums, etc.
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Old 02-09-2016, 02:02 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asquared View Post
Yes you absolutely need a brake controller. Get a proportional brake controller and not a time based controller. The prodigy p2 or prodigy p3 are very good. You can get a plug and play harness for them. I sold a perfectly good one used on craigslist simply because I upgraded to a tow vehicle thAt had an integrated brake controller. You can get them cheaper that way.

Do you have a tow package including heavy duty transmission cooler on your burn? If not then get one added on.
I am not sure if I am doing this correctly but here it goes.

I do have the tow package but how do I know if it has the trans cooler?
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Old 02-09-2016, 02:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wtxdxer View Post
If you're interested I have a Prodigy P3 I've been meaning to sell since I bought my new truck with a built-in controller. I also have the 3025-P cable which should work in your Suburban. I was using it in my 2000 Chevrolet C-2500 pickup. Works great.

Alan

P.S. I bought it 3/2013.
I sent you a message about your controller. Thanks for the offer.
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Old 02-09-2016, 02:05 PM   #12
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usual it will look like another mini radiator, but the AC can also have one that looks like a mini radiator as well (at least my Cobalt coupe had one like this). My guess there should be some rubber hoses runnning from it. See if they run to the tranny?
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Old 02-21-2016, 10:01 PM   #13
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Thanks guys, and thanks wtxdxer, I got a break controller. I also picked up our camper this week too. I will be seeking more advise for sure.
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