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12-10-2016, 11:14 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 489
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Brake Controller - Use Existing or Buy New???
Hello,
I spent most of the morning learning about brake controllers on the forum. I am new to towing, so I do not know much on the subject.
I currently have a Hayes Energizer III which was already installed on my 2008 Avalanche when I purchased it used in 2010.
I have never used it and truthfully did not even know what this device was until we started shopping for a TT.
So my question is...
Would you trust and keep the Hayes Energizer III (I have read it is proportional) or would you purchase a new one? Seems a lot of folks like the Prodigy P3.
TV is a 2008 Chevy Avalanche 2WD 5.3L V8
TT is a 2017 Flagstaff Shamrock 23IKSS
Hitch Weight 588 lbs.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 5418 lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1170 lbs.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and inputs.
vr
Ron
__________________
Ron & Family
2017 Shamrock 23IKSS (Traded)
No longer active with Forest River Forum.
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12-10-2016, 12:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,179
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Personally I would spring for the Prodigy. Not cheap, but really is the best. Mine is a 2005 version and will not use anything else. The only one that ever came close was one of the old hydraulic models that took its informarion from the TVs brake system.
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12-10-2016, 12:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Posts: 347
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I had a Suburban with the after market controller sold by Chevy. Turns out that was time based. I then installed a P3 because I was tied of the jerky stop and go traffic response. Worked great. If yours is proportional I would try it first. Only if the stopping isn't smooth or you're unhappy with the brake response in an emergency (try it first before a real emergency) would I pay to switch. Or if you just have the extra money and want the best.
__________________
2016 Rockwood 2702WS
2016 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4x4 High Country
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12-10-2016, 12:41 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 137
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We didn't have any controller in our 2010 sequoia, so I naturally sprung for the P3 based on so many great reviews. Installation was a breeze, pretty much plug and play in my case, just had to route wires so they didn't get pinched by the automatic steering column.
The controller itself is very smooth and the adjustments are simple. Each increase in voltage was slightly more braking at the trailer. I felt it was a very "fine" control with small increments if you really want to dial in the balance with the TV. Downhill was a breeze, I thought I would want to use the Boost function, but whatever the gyro has built in the unit seemed to take care of controlling the weight just fine. I dropped to a lower gear and the controller did the rest in managing the weight. It's a fantastic device and worth every penny in my opinion.
I don't know if your current Hayes unit has a factory install look in the dash, but that is probably the only downside to the P3. Getting that "factory built-in " look is a little difficult given the form factor.
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12-10-2016, 01:12 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,554
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Get the Prodigy.
I've had the P2 in my Avy for over 10 years and love it.
You can get the P2 for around $100.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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12-10-2016, 01:23 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 348
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I had the Prodigy and it worked great. I have the built in Ford brake controller now and it's even better. But for after market I believe the Prodigy is the way to go.
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12-10-2016, 02:23 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Kirtland, OH
Posts: 328
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I would opt for the installed controller first. Do some investigation as to its features. On my Chevy Silverado it's integrated with the traction control, antilock braking, stability control and antijackknife control. Need I say more?
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William & Sara
2012 Silverado 2500 HD DA
2014 Cedar Creek 38CK
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12-10-2016, 02:27 PM
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#8
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2016 Rockwood 8325SS
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 134
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PRODIGY!
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12-10-2016, 03:09 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,505
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Try it, if it works satisfactorily great! If not, get a new one. I've had a Hayes Genesis that I've moved into 3 trucks and still works great. After you get any of them adjusted correctly, you forget they are even there...
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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12-10-2016, 05:03 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: South East
Posts: 996
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I almost wish my truck didn't have a factory controller in it. I had the P3 in my previous truck and it was much better than the factory controllers.
__________________
Retired Fire Dept Battalion Chief
2016 Ever-Lite 232RBS
2012 F150 FX4 W/Max tow & Ecoboost (Best tv ever)
2018 F250 Lariat (ok but I miss my F150)
Getting old ain't for wimps!!!
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12-10-2016, 05:22 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Orange Texas
Posts: 790
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Read you owners manual. Mine is specific about NOT using an after market controller. 2013 D/A 2500.
Had a Prodigy. Really liked it
__________________
2013 Crusader 330 MKS
2013 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500 D/A
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12-10-2016, 05:34 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,505
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiggerdad
Read you owners manual. Mine is specific about NOT using an after market controller. 2013 D/A 2500.
Had a Prodigy. Really liked it
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My brother and nephews all stopped using the built in controller and added their own... No problems.
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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12-10-2016, 05:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
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I would try the one you have first and see how you like it.
I had a Tekonsha Voyager that worked well for many years and multiple trailers until it finally died one day on a trip. I replaced it with a new Tekonsha P3. If the Voyager had not given up the ghost I don't think I would have replaced it though as I don't feel like the P3 works $120 better. No slam on the P3 as it is really nice, just maybe not that much $ nicer.
__________________
2001 Ford F250 7.3l converted to F350 specs
2014 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2006 model year Border Collie
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12-10-2016, 05:53 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Valencia Pa
Posts: 602
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I run the stock controller on my 2009 2500hd it works just fine.
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12-10-2016, 06:52 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,554
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sterlingsilver
I would opt for the installed controller first. Do some investigation as to its features. On my Chevy Silverado it's integrated with the traction control, antilock braking, stability control and antijackknife control. Need I say more?
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The OP's Avalanche doesn't have a factory brake controller.
In fact, none of them ever did.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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12-10-2016, 09:02 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minnesota, St. Paul suburb
Posts: 335
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RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Towing: More brake controller questions... argh
https://www.etrailer.com/question-84418.html
I had a P3 and loved how it performed. Just like anything else there's lots of energy around topics like this and many pros or cons to features of each manufacturer. The two links I provided will either help you decide, confuse you more as to what you should do, or help educate you even more with your search to select the existing controller or purchase a new one. I've heard that the Hayes is a good controller so maybe using it first, since it's already there, may be a good option that will be beneficial and help you decide. Good luck and enjoy your new adventure.
__________________
2018 Cedar Creek Silverback 29IK
18 Silverado 3500 HD Dually 6.6 Duramax 4X4
Ultimate Aluminum 5th Wheel Hitch, TST tire monitors w/repeater
Semi-Retired February 3, 2014
Bob & Cindy
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12-10-2016, 10:06 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mo
Posts: 25
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Prodigy 2 is what I have and it works great.
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12-10-2016, 11:21 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 489
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Bikendan is correct. The previous owner had the Hayes installed. I never used it. Don't even know if it works. But the red light comes on when I do hit the brake.
Was just curious if I should spend the money on a new controller or not.
__________________
Ron & Family
2017 Shamrock 23IKSS (Traded)
No longer active with Forest River Forum.
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12-10-2016, 11:28 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,554
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron045
Was just curious if I should spend the money on a new controller or not.
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YES!
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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12-11-2016, 12:17 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,505
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron045
Was just curious if I should spend the money on a new controller or not.
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Hayes are good controllers. Why spend $$$ if yours works (and if you have a braking red light it looks like the chances are good). Just look up the manual online so you know how to set it for your rig.
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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