Prodigy Install - Anyone investigated using the ash try...?

[olddieseldude]

I saw the recent post about mounting the brake controller in the dash pocket and I like that, but I happened to think, I don't smoke so the ash tray is a useless accessory in my dash (I actually have use for the pocket). Has anyone looked at, or successfully installed their brake controller in the ash tray?

[fordmastertech]

The only problem with the ash tray location for the brake controller installation is it's too far away from the driver. If you need to use the manual brake lever in a hurry it's going to be a long scary reach to get to it.
FMT

[olddieseldude]

[ QUOTE ]
...too far away from the driver...

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks FMT, I wondered about that! I've never pulled a trailer that needed brakes before, so I'm new to brake controllers. I've gotten the feeling that once adjusted the Prodigy doesn't need manual intervention like many others, is this incorrect?

[fordmastertech]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks FMT, I wondered about that! I've never pulled a trailer that needed brakes before, so I'm new to brake controllers. I've gotten the feeling that once adjusted the Prodigy doesn't need manual intervention like many others, is this incorrect?




[/ QUOTE ] The Prodigy controller is the best one I have used for the money it costs and it pretty much is a set it and forget it controller. I might mess with the boost button in heavy traffic or when I first start out towing after the trailer has been sitting, the brakes get a little grabby. There are other controllers out there that I have been told are better but the price of them is up there. I have never had any stopping issues with the Prodigy unit but I will say I have it set up a little on the aggressive side. I like to feel the trailer brakes work just to the point of trailer tire lock up when coming to a get this thing stopped quick type of stop. The manual lever is used when things like a swaying trailer gets out of control. You grab the lever and stab the accelerator pedal to the floor and it will stop the sway and get things back in line. The last thing you want to do is hit the trucks break pedal or you will see the results on the 6 o'clock news if your lucky. This type of thing can and will happen real fast especially if the trailer is loaded incorrectly so a brake controller thats within the drivers reach is a must in my opinion.
FMT

[olddieseldude]

Well, I got my Prodigy Brake Controller installed and chose the dash pocket location . I looked hard at putting the brake controller into the ash tray but was not able to make it work. I decided that by the time that I got the controller deep enough into the ash tray to allow the ash tray to close when not in use, I wouldn't be able to get to the unit's controls.