Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-17-2011, 09:10 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
prof_fate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 911
TV: Brake controller?

Just bought a TV, a 2001 expedition eddie bauer with HD tow package.

Leaning toward a reese dual cam hitch, likely this one (suggestions???)
Reese 66087 Strait-Line 800 lbs Round Bar with Shank Camper Trailer RV

From what I can gather this has the wiring for elec brakes, just need the controller that will plug in under the dash. I've never had a trailer with brakes so what is good, bad, features I'm looking for, etc?
__________________
Chris, Wills (16) Evie (13) & Toby our collie (6)
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
2013 Chevy K1500 Crew w/ Reese StraitLine Dual Cam

Nights camped 2011: 11 2012: 18 2013: 12 2014: 12 2015: 13 2016: 56 2017: 8+
prof_fate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2011, 11:09 AM   #2
Wanna Be Camper
 
SaskCampers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Posts: 2,420
We have a Tekonsha P3. IMO one of the best controllers out there.


http://www.tekonsha.com/content/prod...435&part=90195
SaskCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2011, 03:39 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
kz08h5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Carmel, Indiana
Posts: 309
Get a proportional type controller and not a time delay controller. Once setup the proportional controller should not have to be re-adjusted, assuming your load doesn't change. With the time delay controller you have to keep making adjustments as your speed changes. It is a pain and also dangerous. I sometimes forget to re-adjust and end up using the truck to stop the entire rig, not good in an emergency. The proportional units cost more but I think the extra money is well worth it.
__________________
kz08h5

2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax Crewcab
Jeep Commander - sold
Flagstaff V-Lite WRB26
kz08h5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2011, 03:42 PM   #4
Member
 
doctort44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 62
We have a Prodigy and we've been very happy with it.
__________________
Terry and Joan and our empty nest
2008 Silverado Crew Cab 5.3liter 3.73
"The Cottage" (2010 Surveyor Sport 189)
doctort44 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2011, 03:56 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
M109Rrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 938
Quote:
Originally Posted by kz08h5 View Post
Get a proportional type controller and not a time delay controller. Once setup the proportional controller should not have to be re-adjusted, assuming your load doesn't change. With the time delay controller you have to keep making adjustments as your speed changes. It is a pain and also dangerous. I sometimes forget to re-adjust and end up using the truck to stop the entire rig, not good in an emergency. The proportional units cost more but I think the extra money is well worth it.
I think you mean Inertia (like Prodigy) Proportionals are the ones that need constant adjustment. They're either on or off unless they're in a newer Ford(so I'm told) I'm told they work with the brake pedal and are truly proportional to brake pedal applied (can't confirm, just what I've been told)
__________________
Jason and Billie
2018 F-250, 6.2L
2011 Prime Time Crusader 320RLT
"PT Crew Member Since 11/2010"
M109Rrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2011, 07:07 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Sgt. Schultz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 277
OP a nice write up is available at Trailer Brake Controller Information | etrailer.com - I just picked up a HUSKY Quest Proportional Brake Control ( http://www.huskytow.com/FTP/PDF/H-2-A_ELECTRICAL.pdf ) for the simple set up and the fact that it has 5 setting I can pre-set for known towing situation (rain, heavy or lighter than normal etc)
What ever brand I suggest staying away from the Ramp (time delay) type controllers.
__________________
PT Avenger 33BHS-TE
2020 f-250
Sgt. Schultz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2011, 07:40 PM   #7
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,602
you can get an Equal-i-zer for less money, free shipping and no drilling needed.

also, big Prodigy fan. love my P2.

you can get both at RVW, $440 for the Equalizer and $99 for the Prodigy P2, with free shipping.
bikendan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2011, 07:51 PM   #8
vlt
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 12
I have a Prodigy, but don't understand how to set it. I'm going to get an Equalizer too. Is it okay to leave it attached the trailer?
vlt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2011, 08:09 PM   #9
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,602
Quote:
Originally Posted by vlt View Post
I have a Prodigy, but don't understand how to set it. I'm going to get an Equalizer too. Is it okay to leave it attached the trailer?
your Prodigy should have setting instructions with it. i seem to remember that there is a starting number setting and you go from there. it's been 5 years since i first set it up, so it's a little foggy.

yes, you can leave it attached but it's not easy pulling the drawbar out of the hitch receiver. and you'll have to lock the ball to the tongue to prevent theft.
i leave mine in the receiver, with a lockable pin.
bikendan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2011, 02:10 AM   #10
Plug It Right
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fulltime RV'er
Posts: 81
We just love Max Brake Controller. It has worked flawlessly for over 2 years. Diana
__________________
2014 Ram Dually Pickup, Tailgate Easylift, Do More Slide Step & AMP side steps
1996/2010 Triple Slide Carriage, Mor/Ryde Suspension, Kodiak Disc Brakes, Big Foot Automatic Leveling System, TST Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Plug It Right Stabilizers.
Dutch & Di is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2011, 07:33 AM   #11
Moderator Emeritus
 
MtnGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
Quote:
Originally Posted by prof_fate View Post

Leaning toward a reese dual cam hitch, likely this one (suggestions???)
Reese 66087 Strait-Line 800 lbs Round Bar with Shank Camper Trailer RV
With a listed dry hitch weight on a 28BH, the 800 lb. bars may not be enough.....1000 lb. bars may be a better choice. On my trailer with a listed 559 lb. hitch weight, I travel down the road with a 700 lb. tongue weight, and 800 lb. bars seem to be at the maximum.
__________________

Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
MtnGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
brake control, brakes

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:03 PM.