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Old 01-09-2017, 04:56 PM   #1
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Prodigy P3 boost setting?

Got our new TT home and love it. What boost setting should I use with a 7000lb trailer and a 1500 Ram 5.7 Hemi? I have tried at off, B1, B2 and like the stopping at ½, but as I come to a stop, the brakes really grab! Should I stick with boost off and adjust without it? What is yours set at. I am at about 3.8-4.3 range depending on boost.
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Old 01-09-2017, 09:47 PM   #2
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No 2 units are exact. There are so many variables that the settings for you or any other combination will differ. Total weight, brake shoe condition, tow vehicle brake condition, wiring, ect.... are all variables.
What you want to do is fine tune the settings to your liking and that gives the best performance.
There is no exact answer, just ballpark answers that would give you a starting point but you're already there.
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Old 01-09-2017, 10:19 PM   #3
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I usually run mine on B1, and turn off when entering campground and agressive braking is not required
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Old 01-09-2017, 11:45 PM   #4
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B3 while I am on the highway and in town I run on b1.

Hope that helps
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Old 01-10-2017, 02:14 PM   #5
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X2 that no 2 units are alike and you need to decide what feels good to you. I only use the boost when descending long hills or steep grades. The steeper and longer the grade, the higher the boost.
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Old 01-10-2017, 03:56 PM   #6
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Set up the unit by following the steps in the manual!!!! You will fight with it like crazy unless you have the max setting done correctly. If you have the max set way too low, then you will use the boost to get enough braking, but it will jerk you around like crazy and not give you enough max power for a panic stop. When you say that you are at 3.8-4.3, if that is your MAX setting then no wonder you are having issues. You will have to turn down the max setting on wet roads or gravel.

Realize that my FW is double your weight and I am towing with a 2500 diesel, but my max setting is 10ish. I usually keep it on B2 on the highway just in case I have a panic stop at 65 mph, but around town and in slow traffic it does tend to grab a bit. It is still fine for just passing through towns or quick detours off the interstate, but I turn the boost off when at slow speeds for a while. Be sure to either turn the boost off or put it in reverse mode when backing up.

The P3 is arguably the best controller on the market. If it is giving you an uncomfortable ride, then something is not set up correctly.
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Old 01-10-2017, 04:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmoore0852 View Post
Set up the unit by following the steps in the manual!!!! You will fight with it like crazy unless you have the max setting done correctly. If you have the max set way too low, then you will use the boost to get enough braking, but it will jerk you around like crazy and not give you enough max power for a panic stop. When you say that you are at 3.8-4.3, if that is your MAX setting then no wonder you are having issues. You will have to turn down the max setting on wet roads or gravel.

Realize that my FW is double your weight and I am towing with a 2500 diesel, but my max setting is 10ish. I usually keep it on B2 on the highway just in case I have a panic stop at 65 mph, but around town and in slow traffic it does tend to grab a bit. It is still fine for just passing through towns or quick detours off the interstate, but I turn the boost off when at slow speeds for a while. Be sure to either turn the boost off or put it in reverse mode when backing up.

The P3 is arguably the best controller on the market. If it is giving you an uncomfortable ride, then something is not set up correctly.
Thank you for the input. I think it was set up wrong from get go. The dealer tried to set it up havin me drive at less than 5-10mph. That is first issue. I will take it out this weekend and do it the right way. Thanks again.
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Old 01-10-2017, 07:08 PM   #8
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Just by memory keep upping the max setting until at a relatively low speed you can use the manual lever to lock the trailer brakes on clean, dry pavement without touching the vehicle brakes. Then back it down just a bit. You don't want the trailer brakes to lock, but you want to brake as hard as possible without locking in a panic stop. Remember, the Prodigy is a PROPORTIONAL brake controller. As in it applies your trailer brakes in proportion to how hard you are trying to stop. When you set the max, you are setting the scale of how much voltage it has to work with. After that, play with the boost settings to adjust to your driving style and traffic.

I would say that with a 7,000 lb trailer you shouldn't be above B1, but the 1500's brakes aren't as strong as a HD truck, so it may need B2.

Bottom line, keep playing with it. Once correctly set up you will love it.
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Old 01-23-2017, 03:53 PM   #9
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I set the max voltage at the beginning of every season, then leave it alone. The only thing I touch is the boost. I like to feel the trailer "lead" the braking event on the highway, so I use b1. When I get where I'm going, on surface streets or the campground, if things feel grabby, I go to b0. If I don't notice it, I don't mess with it.

Per Tekonsha manual:
-Trailer weighs less than TV: Use b0 or b1
-Trailer weights about same as TV: use b0, b1, or b2 (my situation)
-...0-25% more than TV: use b1, b2, or b3
-...25-40% more than TV: use b2 or b3
-... >40% more than TV: use b3

NOTE:
What boost you use has nothing to do with the amount of voltage sent back in an emergency stop. It only affects the minimum amount of voltage sent under light braking.
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Old 01-23-2017, 07:49 PM   #10
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My unit is about 7500 loaded. After playing around after 2 years, I am finally comfortable with my settings of 8.5 and boost 3. Haven't seen the load go above 6 yet under hard braking.


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