Brake controllers

[wittmeba]

I have collected some information on brake controllers for several years. Here is my summary. I welcome any corrections, comments and updates.

BrakeControllerSelection

[dieselfreak09]

I personally like the prodigy....but thats just me

[Fordpowerstroke350]

second the prodigy

[SIC-E]

Towing heavy? Maxbrake!!!!
Awesome write-up Bruce. Way to represent (VA)!

[wittmeba]

Thanks, SIC-E.

It is what Ive learn from all the helpful people on this and other forums.

[h2guy]

FWIW, my Jordan has been operating my elect/hyd system (kodiak actuator) for 4 yrs now. Chart sez "unk".

[wittmeba]

h2guy,

Good information, thanks for posting. Since they faded into the blue that information doesnt seem available.

I still have mine, but will likely replace it when we replace our recently sold SunnyBrook - Ill likely go with BrakeSmart or MaxBrake - dont know at this time.

[jimmy]

I have had an assortment or controllers from hydraulic tapped old Kelsey-Hayes, Prodigy, Sentinel and now have a Maxbrake. The K-H unit worked well but it did develop a leak. The Maxbrake on the 450 and the Ford ITBC on the 350 work exactly alike pulling the same trailers. The Prodigy or any other inertial/deceleration unit will not apply the brakes proportional to brake pedal application, especially moving at interstate speeds. The truck's brakes will not create the forces to the level to be sensed and apply full current in that situation.
The systems that have a pressure transducer (ITBC, Maxbrake, brakesmart) are the best by far. Jordan with mechanically linked pedal travel detection is likely next with any other method falling behind by a good margin.

You don't know how good trailer brakes can work till you tow with a Hydraulic proportional controller handling the job.

BTW, do the 08 and later Superduties with ITBC still have the three wire second sensor on master cylinder? I'm suspicious that they cut costs and went to an inertial unit. As far as I can tell they did on 09 and later F150 with ITBC.

[cnherrick]

Is BrakeSmart still around? I see none of them on Ebay and that always makes me nervous.

[Rick M]

Not sure about BrakeSmart, however as of about a year ago MaxBrake was definitely still around. Put one on my truck just over a year ago and can't say enough good about it.

[wittmeba]

BrakeSmart has been questionable. The last I read they were having vendor problems with some of their components. I was told that if you could find existing inventory for your truck, buy it. There was no indication of when they would begin production.

The other option for an after market control that works on the same principle is the MaxBrake. Both take the same approach as the Big 3 integrated controllers - thatis using a pressure transducer on the master brake cylinder for the voltage output.

[TXiceman]

I dumped a Prodigy and bought an early Jordan 2020. It bit the dust and was no longer available. I put in a MaxBrake and never looked back. It is the smoothest operting brake controller I have used over several trucks and RVs.

ken

[johnmart]

I think you can safely mark Brakesmart as no longer available new.
Back in May I read where a potential customer had call DR performance and was told that the brake controller was being discontinued.

[Snotzalot]

Reading the bake controller page on the link above:

"American auto makers (Ford, GM and Dodge) trucks are now offering integrated brake controllers as an option with the Tow Packages"

How would I tell if my 02 E350 has this?

[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by Snotzalot

How would I tell if my 02 E350 has this?

The easiest way to tell is that Ford didn't offer it in the Econolines.