|
01-06-2014, 04:14 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
|
Brake Controllers
Haven’t used a brake controller before and dealer told me today they would be installing a Reese Brakeman Compact when we take delivery of the trailer. The Prodigy P2 (which was called the “Cadillac of controllers”) is another option I can “upgrade” to.
Curious what folk’s thoughts on the units are, and am I better off spending a little more now (I don't know the price difference) to “upgrade”?
Thanks in advance!
__________________
Rob & Kelly, Bella & Brady (Miniature Schnauzers)
2022 Eagle HT 28.5RSTS
2017 RAM 3500 SRW CTD/AISIN CC LB
|
|
|
01-06-2014, 04:27 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,283
|
The Reese you mention is a "time actuated" brake controller, where the P2 is proportional. Proportional is better technology, and will provide smoother braking.
I suggest getting the P2. It shouldn't be much more, a P2 from etrailer is $125.00 w free shipping, and takes 10-15 min to install, if they asking for a huge premium ask them to remove the controller from your deal and take care of it yourself. Trust me they are easy to install and tons of videos are out there for various vehicles. I am no mechanic and did myself in 30 minutes including time to watch a couple videos.
__________________
2020 Ram 1500 5.7L
2007 Chevy Duramax LMM/Allison (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 29QBH (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
|
|
|
01-06-2014, 04:28 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
|
Here is our poll on brake controllers and 7 pages of discussion. The P2 AND P3 win the poll by a large margin. Do not have experience with the Reese but my first controller was a Hopkins, replaced it with a P3 and its well worth the extra bucks IMO.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...highlight=poll
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
|
|
|
01-06-2014, 06:10 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 1,448
|
P2 or a P3 is the way to go. We have had several and the P2 or P3 are the best of the lot!
2x Clubhouse.....the controllers are easy to install on most later model vehicles.
__________________
2013 Jayco JayFlight 26RKS
2013 Ford F150 Ecoboost FX4
2003 Coleman Bayside / 2011 Jayco Jayfeather X20E -- RIP
2012 Tacoma Sport DCSB / 2013 Tundra SR5 - RIP
|
|
|
01-07-2014, 02:54 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
|
Thanks all, and it looks like it will be at least the P2, and quite possibly the P3. The truck is pre-wired for a controller so installation should be a breeze.
@Crabman - thanks for the link to the poll. IMHO they are a great resource, but I obviously missed this one when going through them.
__________________
Rob & Kelly, Bella & Brady (Miniature Schnauzers)
2022 Eagle HT 28.5RSTS
2017 RAM 3500 SRW CTD/AISIN CC LB
|
|
|
01-07-2014, 08:27 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Port Hope
Posts: 308
|
i went with a curt for mine, it is a progressive one as well as when your going downhill it will also engage the brakes a little to help you slow down
im pretty happy with it, and it was only about 115 bucks
__________________
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW 6.7 cummins
2014 Eagle HT 27.5 BHS
1998 Tahoe Q5 4.3 (My Baby)
2006 Ford F150 5.4, (SOLD Oct 2014)
2014 Jayco Jayflight 26BH (SOLD Feb 2014)
|
|
|
01-07-2014, 09:01 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 2,210
|
One thing I always pass along is the feedback feature the P3 provides (maybe P2 as well) but if your connection is faulty at anytime the unit flashes red indicating an issue. I had this happen before on the highway and it allowed me to stop the trailer under the trucks power solely without the trailer brakes. Had there been an emergency situation I would not have know with a non feedback unit. I am very happy with the unit and the braking control the proportional controller provides of time actuated.
__________________
2014 375 BHFS Eagle Premier
2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn DRW CC
6.7 CTD, Aisin, 4.10's
Yamaha EF3000iSEB
|
|
|
01-08-2014, 07:49 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulton, NY
Posts: 958
|
Since you have the same truck as me, I will recommend YOU do the brake controller install. Get the correct harness with the Prodigy and install it like I did. Just takes a little extra effort on your part. The dealer will just screw it to the plastic panel your knees can hit anyway. Hope they don't hit the airbag under there!
__________________
2017 28BHBE Kitchen skylight, remote control and Aluminum wheels hitched by ProPride 3P
2017 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 Big Horn Cummins
|
|
|
01-08-2014, 10:59 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Whittier, California
Posts: 298
|
My 2003 F-250 was pre-wired for a brake controller and I installed the P3 myself. Only took a little bit of swearing and cursing my stubby fingers before I got out the needle-nose pliers and got the controller connected. The P3 is excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. I also like that you can switch it to a "troubleshooting" mode and it shows battery voltage. Sometimes it's helpful to know.
__________________
~~eric.
2003 Ford F-250 XLT Lariat
6.0L Powerstroke V8
2013 Jayco JayFlight 24FBS
Equal-i-zer hitch
Tekonsha P3
|
|
|
01-08-2014, 11:34 AM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
|
Mine came prewired as well. You just have to buy the vehicle specific harness also when you buy the controller. Makes installation a snap, no splicing wires etc. Plug and play, except for mounting the controller...
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
|
|
|
01-08-2014, 11:51 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 974
|
On my F150 the book said the harness was pluged into the back of a panel on the dash and I had to remove it to free the harness. However once I got the panel off I saw the harness hanging under the dash, felt like an idiot.
__________________
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar. Abraham Lincoln
2016 36FBTS Pinnacle
2016 F350, 6.7, 4x4, DRW, long bed
B & W Companion 5th wheel Hitch
|
|
|
01-08-2014, 11:54 AM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by eldermike
On my F150 the book said the harness was pluged into the back of a panel on the dash and I had to remove it to free the harness. However once I got the panel off I saw the harness hanging under the dash, felt like an idiot.
|
Yeah both of my trucks came with that universal harness but I never used them, the vehicle specific one for the P3 just plugs in, no need to splice to the OEM harness.
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
|
|
|
01-09-2014, 03:55 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LiftedAWDAstro
Since you have the same truck as me, I will recommend YOU do the brake controller install. Get the correct harness with the Prodigy and install it like I did. Just takes a little extra effort on your part. The dealer will just screw it to the plastic panel your knees can hit anyway. Hope they don't hit the airbag under there!
|
That spot is where I was going to install. I assume you drilled a hole in the back of the cubby for the wiring harness? I think the 2014 has the same cubby as I'm in the process of upgrading - made the mistake of buying the long bed and it's just too long and difficult to maneuver. Thankfully dealer was willing to work with me and I'll end up breaking just about even.
__________________
Rob & Kelly, Bella & Brady (Miniature Schnauzers)
2022 Eagle HT 28.5RSTS
2017 RAM 3500 SRW CTD/AISIN CC LB
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|