Travel trailer brake controller needed...

[Powerstroke2000]

I'm sure this has been covered to death...but I'm in need of one, so hopefully the answers will come easy!

Well...just finished reading about the Jordan and Prodigy, and there are those that love 'em, and those that hate 'em...so how does one decide? Never heard of the BrakeSmart (as has been mentioned in another post) or know if they are even available here in western Canada?

I don't know the make/model of my current brake controller, but upon picking up my TT from storage today, I found that mine wasn't working! I usually get small L.E.D. lights that go across the unit (two rows) as the brake is applied (depending on how I have it set up) but today I got none!
There is a green light that glows to tell the operator that the unit is hooked up to the trailer..and at least that was working...but no L.E.D.'s, and it certainly didn't feel like the trailer brakes where working...so I'll assume they don't! I doubt this unit is worth spending money on to fix..thus my asking here which way to go next!

I'm hoping there is a fairly easy hookup controller out there, and it will be going on my '95 Ford F250 PSD 4X4, and my trailer is about 7K+ when loaded.

What controller are you using, and why do you like it? Have you used a specific brand/model before...and why did you change?

Thanks in advance!

Dale

[haul_n_horses2]

It may not be the controller. Check the output of the brake wire in your trailer hookup with a voltmeter. No volts on application of the brakes means it is in the truck. Check the relays and fuses first. Brake controller is not a wear item. If there is power at the connector, use a small compass and hold it at the wheels with brakes. As the brakes are applied, the compass needle should deflect towards the activated magnets. No juice to the brakes means the trailer wiring is suspect. Maybe some critters munched on the wiring in storage.

[Powerstroke2000]

Hmmm...thanks Paul!

Not sure about if it could be the wiring...as just the other day I hooked into it with my utility trailer, and all the lights on it worked fine. I made up a connector that just plugs into my large outlet (for the TT) and set it up so that the brake lights and tail lights work on the utility trailer.
Interestingly enough...I use to see the L.E.D's move up the line when the trailer was not hooked onto the truck, but now...the odd time one L.E.D. will come on, but most of the time there are none? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
This leads me to believe it isn't the trailer?

Is there a way to "test" these brake controllers? Yes, I will check all fuses...

Thanks for the tip on using the compass...never heard of that one before!

Thank you.

Dale