Brake box, P2 vs P3

[JeffClark]

Hi everyone.
Looking for a good brake control box for my 2015 Honda Pilot. Max tow of 4500lbs and tongue weight of 450lbs. We will most like be towing a single axle camper under 4000lbs and TW of 380. Want to get one that will grow with us as well, such as bigger truck and bigger camper. Been looking at the prodigy P2 and P3. Any suggestions, and reasons for which one? What is the difference, pros and cons? Other suggestions for a good box?

[bikendan]

Prodigy is the best selling brake CONTROLLER(not box).
P3 is the P2 with more bells and whistles.
Both are excellent.

[JeffClark]

Thanks for the info. Sorry for the terminology, just getting into the camper thing. Thank you!

[mopwr4me2003]

P3. I have it on my traverse and love it. I had a Reese model prior to that. The Reese was only used for about 2 trips and I got the P3 and don’t regret it. Set up is a little longer but not hard at all.

[JeffClark]

Thanks. Is there a reason why you went P3over the P2?

[OttieJB]

I have both the P2 and the P3. They are both excellent choices.

[mopwr4me2003]

Originally Posted by JeffClark

Thanks. Is there a reason why you went P3over the P2?

I like the more technology digital stuff that really is about it. Either way they both are good.

[Jeffjeeptj]

I had a P2 for years and started using it for my new purchase one year ago. It stopped working one day, so, I replaced it with a P3.

As above poster stated, the P 3 has more bells and whistles.

I liked the P2 because it could be easily removed from it’s bracket and stored in my console when not in use. I towed 5 different trailers with it, and just had to adjust the brake force (easy push buttons).

The P3 has more info available on the screen to help troubleshoot brake problems. It also has (IIRC) presets for 3 trailer and it is preconfigured for using with electric actuated hydraulic disc brakes. The P3 is not readily removed from its bracket as it is screwed in place.

If I knew when I bought the P3 what I know now, i would have bought the P2.

As the OP stated, he wants to keep it for upgrading vehicles and trailers, the P3 would be the more flexible choice. I anticipate electric actuated disc brakes will become more common as time passes.

[JeffClark]

Awesome! Thanks so much!

[HONDAMAN174]

I had the p2 when towing with my Pilot. Easy to use. When we went to bigger truck/trailer I switched to p3 as was able to fine tune better.

Don’t forget to get the harness to plug in direct to connector above brake pedal. I used heavy duty Velcro to attach to knee panel of dash so we could remove when not in use.

[tc cruiser]

Originally Posted by JeffClark

Hi everyone.
Looking for a good brake control box for my 2015 Honda Pilot. Max tow of 4500lbs and tongue weight of 450lbs. We will most like be towing a single axle camper under 4000lbs and TW of 380. Want to get one that will grow with us as well, such as bigger truck and bigger camper. Been looking at the prodigy P2 and P3. Any suggestions, and reasons for which one? What is the difference, pros and cons? Other suggestions for a good box?

Jeff
I have the P3 installed on a 17 Honda Ridgeline. Got everything and a honda specific adapter cable on e trailer. Installed in 30 mins. super easy. Here is a video should be the same for your Pilot.
Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqMhMQ5Tghk

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

I had the p2 when towing with my Pilot. Easy to use. When we went to bigger truck/trailer I switched to p3 as was able to fine tune better.

Don’t forget to get the harness to plug in direct to connector above brake pedal. I used heavy duty Velcro to attach to knee panel of dash so we could remove when not in use.

If you screw the holster for the Prodigy controller to the dashboard, be sure to leave a little slack in the wiring harness--enough that you can pull the controller completely out of the holster and unplug the wiring harness.

The person who installed the Prodigy controller in DW's TV did not leave enough slack. Rarely the controller gets into a state where it locks the brakes. The only way to reset it is to remove power from the controller. To do this you need to be able to pull the controller out of the holster and then remove the harness plug.

[67L48]

I went with the P3 seven years ago. At the time, it was around $90 and not too much more expensive than the P2. Most people I know use the same brake controller for years and years. So, my philosophy was to buy once and buy premium. When amortized over the life of the box () it wasn't worth it to me to save $20 or so.

I also got a vehicle-specific harness. The kit came with two mounts that I put in my two vehicles at the time. I could easily move it back and forth (F-150 and Explorer V8). Worked great, easy to set up, nice display, good feature set. It now sits in a drawer because new trucks have integrated controllers.

P2 is probably just as good, but I opted to get the "best" controller I could.

Cheers.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Jeffjeeptj

The P3 is not readily removed from its bracket as it is screwed in place.

The bracket that came with my P3 allowed it to be removed easily. It also came with a nice little case to put it in while removed.

[upflying]

When you eventually upgrade to a "bigger truck", some already have factory installed brake controllers.
Don't forget to figure cargo capacity in your Honda Pilot towing ability.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by babock

The bracket that came with my P3 allowed it to be removed easily. It also came with a nice little case to put it in while removed.

My P3 came with two brackets. One is the traditional metal bracket that requires side screws (similar to CB radio mounds). One was the plastic snap-in-place bracket. Super easy to pop in and out with the plastic bracket. It also came with the little case.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Mine did not come with the plastic snap bracket. I would have used that if it had been in the box, and I would not have had to talk about screws.

Oh well