[wittmeba]

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

BrakeControllerSelectionhttp://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmeier/technical/BrakeControllerSelection.html

 

[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]

Brakesmart

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]

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.

 

[Snotzalot]

Ah, thank you Mark! Looks like an old fashioned wire up job!

 

[Mark Kovalsky]

There is a connector to attach a controller. It's located near the parking brake pedal.

 

[Robyn]

Anyone use the TruControl by Hensley?

I noticed that this electronic brake controller (with a twist) is not mentioned in this thread, nor in the summary that this thread links to.

Being that it is from Hensley Manufacturing, the makers and marketers of the Hensley Arrow bumper pull hitch, the Trailersaver fifth wheel and gooseneck Airride hitch, as well as Mckesh Towing mirrors... all said to be the at the top of their repespective catagories, it seems that their TruControl brake control should be considered in the mix.

According to Aaron at Hensley Manufacturing, Colin Connell hired an engineer from the now out of business Brakesmart company several years ago, and that engineer spent two years developing algrorithims that simulated the Brakesmart braking characteristics.

In other words, they found that there was consistency and predictablity in how the Brakesmart applied power to the trailer brakes given the inputs from the brake fluid pressure transducer, a lateral accelerometer, and other inputs. Apparantly, they graphed the power outputs in various conditions, and programmed response values into the Trucontrol to mimick the performance of the Brakesmart.

There is no need to adjust gain, as full power is available at all times, and the Trucontrol is designed to use it as required based on dynamically changing conditions.

So I was told, anyway.

I've never personally used one. I just called Hensley and asked about it, because I liked how much more brake and power information the Trucontrol Gold displayed on the digital display. It definitely looks different than the other controllers, other than the MaxBrake.

I'm not advocating TruControl, nor am I cautioning against them. It just seems that any sticky that is intended to provide a comprehensive survey of the trailer brake controllers on the market should probably include these Trucontrols that Hensley has been selling for the last 5 years or so.

 

[garywolfer2]

My Brake Controller

I recently purchased a 94 IDI and it has a brake controller. It has a red light that lights up when I step on the brakes. This controler has a brake line or hydraulic line connected to it. I have never seen this before can someone explain it to me? is it old technology or a better system I have only had a protogy before.

 

[Mark Kovalsky]

It's old technology, but in my experience it works very well.