Well i'm thinking of renting a camper from one of the army posts in the area and they require a trailer brake controller. There was one installed on my truck by the previous owner but he took it when he sold the truck. Which one is dependable and cheap, i do not tow anything at all. But i would like to start taking the kids camping etc etc and i need one if i am going to rent a camper. Thanks.
SdPj
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2001 F250 Ext Cab PSD 4x4, 8 in Skyjacker, 38 in Pj's, Kwik Filter, Banks Monster Exhaust(not worth the money, but what can you do), ISSPRO gauges tranny, boost, pyro from dieselmanor, FTVB, Dual DR shocks in front, singles in rear, DP Tuner Stock, No start, 80 tow, 80 econ, 120 race, 7 in. in dash DVD.
You can buy "cheap' at Kragens (Oreilly's) to satisfy the requirements of having one. They are easy to install and would probably serve your purpose, IIRC the ones the army rents are small. One word of warning...once the camping bug bites you , you won't be happy with a small rig..I started with an 8' camper and now have a 33' fifthwheel...If owning your own rig is in your future then spend the money NOW for a good one. Tekonsha has been around for a long time. I have the prodigy and can recommend it. the P3 is also good.
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1994 F-350 7.3 IDI Turbo, crew cab, E4OD,4:10 L/S, LB, Dually Photos
ATS Turbo upgrades: 3" DP with 3" exhaust Magnaflow XL muffler: Pictures Here
1997 Jayco 323RKS fifth wheel w/2 slides, Air Lift 5000 bags
Pillar pod: Autometer C2 Series gauges: pyro,trans, boost, water, oil pressure
Hypermax Cowl induction, K&N air filter, flex-a-lite 26K trans cooler with fan,Tekonsha prodigy
Train Horns: Pictures here
thanks chuckster. yeah for now i just need to meet the requirements but you get what you par for. that prodigy looks pretty nice. ill look at auto zone etc etc and see what i find. may buy the prodigy though.
SdPj
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2001 F250 Ext Cab PSD 4x4, 8 in Skyjacker, 38 in Pj's, Kwik Filter, Banks Monster Exhaust(not worth the money, but what can you do), ISSPRO gauges tranny, boost, pyro from dieselmanor, FTVB, Dual DR shocks in front, singles in rear, DP Tuner Stock, No start, 80 tow, 80 econ, 120 race, 7 in. in dash DVD.
I love mine. In the old days I had a tekonsha that had the pendulum so I was constantly making sure the controller was level. The prodigy will aquire "level" itself. The only thing I have to do is set the boost level when I plug it in. I don't leave it plugged in when I am not pulling the trailer.
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1994 F-350 7.3 IDI Turbo, crew cab, E4OD,4:10 L/S, LB, Dually Photos
ATS Turbo upgrades: 3" DP with 3" exhaust Magnaflow XL muffler: Pictures Here
1997 Jayco 323RKS fifth wheel w/2 slides, Air Lift 5000 bags
Pillar pod: Autometer C2 Series gauges: pyro,trans, boost, water, oil pressure
Hypermax Cowl induction, K&N air filter, flex-a-lite 26K trans cooler with fan,Tekonsha prodigy
Train Horns: Pictures here
I started with a Voyager (pendulum) graduated to the Prodigy trying to stop the hopping that would result when the rotors would induce surging that caused the controller to go from full brake to no brake in a very unnerving rapid fashion, did not help. Now have a MaxBrake, but have yet to haul with it. Time will tell.
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GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!! - GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
i also have the p3 and im always having to reach down and move it to get it to stop right... i pull a 44ft with hyd/elc brake system is there a better controller so i can just set it and have brakes when i need them. this moving it up and down everytime i need to stop is getting old
I believe you'd be happier with a better controller rather than trying to just meet the requirements. It'll be one less thing to irritate you and will make the camping trips just that more enjoyable for ya! David
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2009 F450 Pickup Lariat Plus w/Nav, 4X4 Off-Road Pkg, Rhino bed liner, 50 gal Transfer Flow fuel tank, 24k Reese Signature Series 5th-wheel hitch.
2011 MS 36RSSB3
i also have the p3 and im always having to reach down and move it to get it to stop right... i pull a 44ft with hyd/elc brake system is there a better controller so i can just set it and have brakes when i need them. this moving it up and down everytime i need to stop is getting old
i love the maxbrake controller for heavy towing. should be using this type when towing what you are imho.
as for orig post, i'd get the Prodigy if only towing lighter rigs.
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2004 E450 Cutaway, 6.0L, quigley 4x4, ambulance pkg., maxbrake controller, curt 20k fifth wheel. Future mods: 52" sleeper, tandem (6x6?) rear (aint look'n likely), frame cover. maybe a Herd front bumper.
2003 E350, 7.3l, x-cargo
2003 F350 Lariat, 4x4, CC, SRW, Dark Green Fx4 SOLD
1995 C3500 6.5l work trk, 2x4, CC, DRW, white DECEASED PREMATURALLY
2003 JEEP WRANGLER, ooooops, not anymore!
1986 26' Seaway Northstar w/ 454 Mercruiser
2008 Montana Mountaineer 332PHT
1991 GMC Topkick, CAT, 4' vert. gang boxes, 12' dump. if only all were as reliable!
I had a cheap one when I pulled my pop-up but when I moved to the 5th wheel, I had to change and got the Tekonsha P3. World of difference. You get what you pay for IMHO.
Seeing that you have the MaxBrake I would like to ask what kind of message does your display show when nothing is connected? After I touch the manual slide to wake the display up mine reads "Check Trailer Wiring" when no trailer is connected rather than the expected "Trailer Unplugged". I sent an email to the company, but have not gotten an answer. I realize their website has some faq's and it brushes the issue but does not give a clear concise answer. I want them to say normal state or check your truck wiring since there is no trailer wiring connected to check. For $350 and to supposedly be so danged smart it can't seem to tell what is going on.
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GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!! - GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
I dont know if you have purchased your brake controller yet, but here are my comments.
- The Tekonsha Prodigy or P3 will serve your needs for this outing and perhaps many more needs. You will also need a harness - readily available with the controller.
- The Tekonsha products are pretty much Plug-n-play.
- They are also removeable and may be easily applied to another vehicle in the event you sell your truck.
Many dealers still have the older pendulum style controllers (Voyager, Sentinal, etc) and want to get rid of their inventory - be warned! Spend the extra $20.00 or so and get Prodigy or P3.
I suspect MaxBrake and BrakeSmart will be viewed as too expensive for your needs. Here is lots of info on brake controllers.
We just sold our SunnyBrook 5th wheel and will eventually replace it. When we do, we will also upgrade our Jordan (nothing wrong with it, but Jordan sold the business and they are no longer available) with a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake. IMO, they are the best.
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), frame cover. maybe a Herd front bumper.
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