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02-02-2015, 06:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tega Cay, SC
Posts: 534
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Which electric brake controller?
When we got our 23IKSS last summer, the dealer installed a Voyager electric brake controller. I've often had problems with it at low (<10mph) speeds where the brakes would grab and the trailer tires would skid. Stop and go traffic is a perfect example of where I'd have problems. So I'd back off the controller a little and they'd be ok, but once I got back up to normal speed I'd have to readjust because it felt like the brakes were not doing enough. It was the one and only thing I didn't like about our setup.
I started looking into some other controllers to see if there was something better out there. During the search I found the online manual for my Voyager and discovered that I have been adjusting the wrong knob. One knob is for leveling the unit and the other controls the power. Well, I never knew there were two knobs and the one I've been fiddling with is the level knob. Good grief Charlie Brown!
The dealer explained how I should adjust it when we bought the camper, but I either misunderstood or he told me the wrong way. Once it comes out of storage next month, I will readjust and see if it is better. But now I'm also wondering if the Voyager is a good unit, or if I should just upgrade to something better. I want this to be a set it and forget it thing if possible.
So what controller do you have, and does it require frequent adjustments?
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I live with fear every day, and sometimes she lets me go fishing.
2019 Surveyor 251RKS
2008 Ford Expedition EL
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02-02-2015, 06:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 861
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I use Prodigy brake controller. I think it works well and have not had to adjust it since we installed it.
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Tim & Tracy, Jennifer (20), Alyssa (15), our dog Jazy
2012 Ford F150 EB Crew FX4 3.73 gears
2017 Grand Design Imagine 2800BH
Previous: 2012 Flagstaff MicroLite 23LB
2006 GMC Envoy Denali V8 & 2005 GMC Envoy I6
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02-02-2015, 06:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 628
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Same here, read lots of good reviews/comments about the P3 Prodigy here on the forum. Works great and once set, you don't have to keep adjusting the output power.
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2019 Coachmen Freedom Express 281RLDSLE
2018 2500 HD Silverado
Equal-i-zer Hitch E4
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02-02-2015, 06:58 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 71
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+1 for the Tekonsha Prodigy brand of controllers. Ive got the P2 and once you get the initial setup good to go, you will be fine across the board.
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Doug and Toni & Penny
2014 Wildcat Maxx T28RLS TT
2013 Silverado Z71 5.3L 3.42gears
Nites Camped 2015: 21
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02-02-2015, 07:25 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 981
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Prodigy P2.
2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax
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2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 5.7L
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02-02-2015, 07:37 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 333
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Prodigy p3. Works fantastically and used is around 100 bucks.
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2018 Rockwood Signature Ultralight 8329SS
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02-02-2015, 08:26 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Just proves the old adage - When all else fails, read the instructions.
I suspect you'll be OK once you adjust it properly. Others on here with Voyagers have been happy.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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02-02-2015, 09:45 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: TN
Posts: 11
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I had a Draw-Tite Activator II in my 2007 Tacoma. It was time delayed so it would provide the same amount of power to the brakes whether I tapped the brakes or slammed them. I recently bought a Tekonsha P3 Prodigy from a member on Tacomaworld.com for $90 and it's a proportional brake controller. If you tap the brakes on your TV, the camper will tap its brakes. If you slam on your TV brakes, so will the trailer. I've only used it on test runs to make sure I installed it correctly but in the limited use, I'd highly recommend it. When I had the Draw-Tite it would constantly lock up the brakes and I'd have to adjust it. It got really annoying after only one season of use. Hope this helps.
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02-02-2015, 10:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 203
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I also have a 23IKSS and my tow vehicle has the Prodigy P2 in it. Works great.
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02-03-2015, 01:29 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
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Has anyone mentioned the Tekonsha prodigy yet? LOL Fantastic controller.
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02-03-2015, 01:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 716
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I use an integrated controller (MaxBrake), and will never again settle for less. The trailers brakes are literally tied directly to the pressure of your tow vehicles brake pedal rather than the controller "guessing" how hard your braking via perceived inertia. This integration essentially works the same way the brakes on tractor trailers do (they use air rather than electricity, but same result). MaxBrake is no longer in business, but there is now a new/improved integrated controller available from DirecLink.
DirecLink Brake Controller - DirecLink.com
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2021 Solitude 310GK w/FBP
1969 Camaro RS/SS Convertible
Dad's old 1968 Empi Imp (recently recovered from under 21 years worth of boxes/dust)
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02-03-2015, 05:50 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tega Cay, SC
Posts: 534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yarome
Has anyone mentioned the Tekonsha prodigy yet? LOL Fantastic controller.
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Nope. This is the first I've heard about it. 😉
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Now that I know there are TWO adjustment knobs, I will properly adjust the controller I've got. I will probably end up getting one of the P3 controllers since the display seems to provide some helpful feedback and diagnostic info. I'm really looking to get it dialed in and then just forget it.
As always, I really appreciate the feedback that all of you have provided. Thanks!
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__________________
I live with fear every day, and sometimes she lets me go fishing.
2019 Surveyor 251RKS
2008 Ford Expedition EL
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02-03-2015, 06:45 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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You can't go wrong with the Prodigy 1 or Tekonsha 2 or 3. Made by the same company. Also it is a plug and play they have different pre wire hook-ups, easy install and works great....Good luck on your choice...
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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02-03-2015, 12:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 194
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I agree with all of the above. Tekonsha Prodigy
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VMI'62
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02-03-2015, 02:43 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Westland, Michigan
Posts: 253
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P2
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__________________ 2008 Silverado 5.3 tow package 2013 Roo 25rs 2014 nites booked 10
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02-03-2015, 02:55 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
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Brake Controllers - what's the diff?
I liked the Prodigy and here's why:
Many brake controllers are "blind" - they often can't distinguish between the tow vehicle lightly applying the brakes vs hammering hard for a panic stop. A good brake controller can tell the difference. That is called "proportional braking". You can still adjust the "starting point" on both types, but the unit without proportional braking assumes that it must be a need to ramp up the braking intensity if you ride the brakes for 5 seconds, and will apply full brakes on the trailer, resulting in skidding.
At the same time, if you are cornering and need to brake hard, the system without proportional braking might not stay behind you, and fishtail out.
The prodigy can tell the difference between you applying your brakes lightly, or hard.
It is also solid state/electronic. Most units are, but you'll see some older versions of various brands that have more moving parts, and more room for error, in my experience.
Prodigy is self-diagnosing, as are a few other models. That means you get a code to indicate the nature of the problem, should one develop. If the problem is a bad ground, low voltage on the tow vehicle battery, or one of many other issues, you get a specific error code to speed up the diagnostics. This means quick repairs if you can do it yourself, or cheaper repairs if you need to go to a shop for help.
The better brake controllers reduce your cost in the long run, since your brakes and tires will last longer - less chance of skidding, swaying, etc.
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02-03-2015, 03:48 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: saint clair shores MI
Posts: 172
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Dealer put in a Hayes energizer 3 controller it did the same thing grab at low speed stopping did not like that feeling so went out and got a 2014 sliverado with the integrated brake controller once I set it haven't needed to adjust it since works great best mod for the camper yet lol
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2014 roo 233S. 2008 saab 97x
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02-03-2015, 10:06 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8
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Brake Controller
Its the Prodigy 3 for me also. Set it and forget it, works very well.
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02-04-2015, 10:21 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 31
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We had Ford dealer put in factory controller. It works great as it integrates with truck computer. Very little adjusting needed... and it remembers each trailer when it is connected to truck and resets controls accordingly. It also remembers the number of miles towing the trailer.
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02-05-2015, 08:26 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenImp
I use an integrated controller (MaxBrake), and will never again settle for less. The trailers brakes are literally tied directly to the pressure of your tow vehicles brake pedal rather than the controller "guessing" how hard your braking via perceived inertia. This integration essentially works the same way the brakes on tractor trailers do (they use air rather than electricity, but same result). MaxBrake is no longer in business, but there is now a new/improved integrated controller available from DirecLink.
DirecLink Brake Controller - DirecLink.com
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Anyone use the DirecLink controller? Was just thinking about pulling the trigger on ordering one for my new truck.
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