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Old 03-11-2012, 07:57 AM   #1
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Setting my truck up

I have a 2010 Sierra 1500 and need to get it ready for towing our new-to-us-trailer. I know i need a trailer brake controller, but which one. I herd the Prodigy P2 or P3 are the best, but there also the most money. Are they really worth the money? I already have Firestone Ride-rite airbags in the rear installed, and i just ordered the oem tow mirrors, and i got a wd hitch from my dad, it is a Pro Series used once. Other than that i think i would be set, any opinions?
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Old 03-11-2012, 08:06 AM   #2
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I assume you already have the 7 pin wire configuration on the rear? Also check to see that the AUX fuse has been installed so your vehicle will provide power to the camper and keep the battery charged. In my Chevy it is located under the hood in the fuse box near the battery. It goes in a place called "stud 1" which you can locate using your manual. Again - not sure if it is different in your vehicle.

As far as brake controllers - I think it is well worth it getting a more expensive one. The Prodigys are highly rated I know. I have a Hayes G2 which I also think is very good. What I like about the higher end controllers is the ability to add "boost" mode. This adds some extra breaking when you lightly press the break to slow down and really makes a difference in my opinion. There are numerous other high end ones, but the price starts to go up pretty steep. Whatever you do - make sure it is not a timed brake controller! (these are proportional)

Let us know what you decide.



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Old 03-11-2012, 08:12 AM   #3
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My first brake controller was a one I bought from Autozone , I forget which brand but it was not very good, very jerky when slowing to a stop. Its now in the trash. The Prodigy is worth the extra bucks IMO. On the WD hitch, make sure the Spring bars are rated at least 1,000 lbs tongue weight. My first set of bars were 750 and were not enough, I recently upgraded to 1200 lb bars. Just trying to save you what I went through with trial and error. BTW do you have any type of sway control to go with your Pro Series WD hitch?
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Old 03-11-2012, 08:14 AM   #4
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I have a Hayes Synchronizer 81725 also. In fact, I just pulled it out of my truck since I'm getting a new TV which will have an integrated brake controller. If you're interested, PM me.
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Old 03-11-2012, 08:53 AM   #5
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Thanks for the info, i do not have a sway control setup. I figured i would try without it first and see how it goes. I bought the trailer about an hour from my house so that should give me some king of an idea. The wd hitch is 1200# spring bars so i should be fine with that. I have the factory tow package with the HD cooling system which came with the 7 pin connector.

Quahog: thanks for the offer but i am looking at getting one with a digital readout.
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Old 03-11-2012, 11:06 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sierra Mist View Post
I have a 2010 Sierra 1500 and need to get it ready for towing our new-to-us-trailer. I know i need a trailer brake controller, but which one. I herd the Prodigy P2 or P3 are the best, but there also the most money. Are they really worth the money? , any opinions?
How much is stopping in time and your families lives worth to you? You may never be in an emergency situation but if and when you do you will be glad you spent the few extra pennies...
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Old 03-11-2012, 07:32 PM   #7
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How much is stopping in time and your families lives worth to you? You may never be in an emergency situation but if and when you do you will be glad you spent the few extra pennies...
Its not that im putting a price on my families safety, just i don't want to spend the most for the second best. I have found that just because there is a name or a large price tag attached to an item, that it's the best.
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Old 03-11-2012, 07:33 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Sierra Mist View Post
Thanks for the info, i do not have a sway control setup. I figured i would try without it first and see how it goes. I bought the trailer about an hour from my house so that should give me some king of an idea. The wd hitch is 1200# spring bars so i should be fine with that. I have the factory tow package with the HD cooling system which came with the 7 pin connector.

Quahog: thanks for the offer but i am looking at getting one with a digital readout.
Another thing...I would NOT tow a trailer that big and heavy with a 1500 series truck with no sway control. Even a perfectly balanced trailer can become very hard to control if you come across heavy cross winds or passing tractor trailers. I would strongly recommend getting the sway control device before you tow the trailer home. A lot can happen in an hour...
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Old 03-11-2012, 11:18 PM   #9
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I had the Primus proportional brake controller installed in my truck. It is programmable and easy to set up. When I was towing my new TT home, I had to reprogram it for a little less braking. It was activating a touch too soon. This controller senses when you are braking and applies voltage accordingly
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Old 03-12-2012, 02:53 AM   #10
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thanks for the heads up about the sway, i will be looking into one. I did order the prodigy p2, i found it for $99 with $10 shipping. I guess i will be busy at the end of the week, i got the controller to hook up and my tow mirrors to install.
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Old 03-12-2012, 06:11 PM   #11
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I had the Takonsha Voyager with a pop-up. I learned a lot using it, and it was very good. But it wasn't convenient to use. I stepped up to the p2 for my Swift. I read about it and the p3, and the p3 seemed to have a lot of unnecessary features for my application, while the p2 seemed perfect. Plus, I liked the price. You got a good deal yourself, and I think it will work great for you.
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Old 03-13-2012, 02:46 AM   #12
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After everything i ream about the Prodigy P2 it just seemed like a good choice especially when i found it for so cheap. It should be here tomorrow and looking at the directions seems real easy to install.
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Old 03-13-2012, 09:25 AM   #13
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The P2 is a great controller.

There is virtaully no installation required if you purchased the cable harness for the P2 that matches your vehicle. When I purchased my P2 I also bought the cable for ~$12 instead of messing with the GM cable that came with my tahoe. It basically plugged into the sockect under the dash and the P2, then I mounted the P2 with double sided tape.
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Old 03-13-2012, 11:11 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sierra Mist View Post
thanks for the heads up about the sway, i will be looking into one. I did order the prodigy p2, i found it for $99 with $10 shipping. I guess i will be busy at the end of the week, i got the controller to hook up and my tow mirrors to install.
I think I paid $105 including shipping for my P3 when I bought for our Suburban. Bought it through ebay it was new w/ warranty. Looks like there are several of them there now for $110 - $120 w/ free shipping.

I have both a P2 & a P3. From a usability standpoint they work the same, I can't tell any difference while towing. From a setup standpoint, I really like the P3. It was much nicer to configure and it has some nice diagnostic tools built into it.

I've had my P2 since summer of 2007 and my P3 since Feb. 2009.
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Old 03-15-2012, 07:54 PM   #15
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I got the P2 set up last night, very easy to install. I mounted it were the ashtray is, very clean looking. Almost ready to town the trailer home Saturday morning. I got my tow mirrors in today and should install them tomorrow night, see how well that goes. I gotta take the door panel off which should be interesting.
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Old 03-15-2012, 08:02 PM   #16
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I had to take my door panels off to install new speakers. I googled for instructions as I had never done it before and I`m glad I did as there were a few little tricks to getting them off properly which made it an easy process with that knowledge. Of course mine is a 2004 with different panels.
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