CK5 - The Full-Size GM Off Road Community

Right now my elec brakes have no modulation, they are either on or off so would like to upgrade that setup, who makes the best elec brake setup?

Jordan Ultima hands down. Toshika Prodigy is the next best.

http://www.jordanbrake.com/

Jordan is the only procative controler on the market compatiable with ABS. They operate by seeing break peddle travel so what you do with the brake peddle the trailer brake does the same.

Reactive controlers use a decelerometer (on the better ones) to sense the vehicle slowing down. Problem is they can be tricked. Fast lan change to avoid an accident will trick them and cause a unwanted responce for the trailer brakes.

NEVER use a controler that "ramps" up the brake application.

Ideally you want the trailer to apply the brakes a split second before the tow vehicle. The idea is to have the trailer help keep the tow vehicle inline. A properly set up proactive controler and proper sized brakes on the trailer should put no extra burden on the tow vehicles brakes.

I've got a prodigy. It's sweet......

Plenty of adjustment for various loads, and not too pricey if you do a search. You should be able to get one for right around $100 online.

BIGJ

Toshika Prodigy

that is what i have i like it and the install is simple but i did read the instructions /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

ok i paid 135.00 at the rv store but i needed it asap

Well I've been doing alot of research on this and so far I have only heard great things about the Prodigy. But I will look into the Jordan one now, thanks grim I haven't heard of that one yet.

tekonsha prodigy!!!!! They even have a harness that will plug into your fusebox. no wiresplicing /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

The plug in harnesses are for you rich peeps and the new trucks. Those of us with 98 and older trucks gotta do the splice trick. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif. Steve I have the Prodigy and it works real well.

po bastads!!! /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

Rich nothin'! I paid $5 for the plug and skipped lunch /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

It sure was nice to plug it right up. Took longer to mount the cradle than it did to hook up the brake controller. They still had a plug available for my 96 PSD...

BIGJ

Toshika Prodigy all the way. I LOVE the one that we slapped into my 3/4 ton Burb.

A story to back it up. Last trip I took about a month ago, we got a late start, and had been driving all night. Around 1-2am it started to drizzle slightly. I was just cresting a decent hill with a sweeping right turn to it when I saw emergency vehicles covering the left sholder all the way to most of the right lane. I was already in the right lane, but with the ground being wet, and no ABS on the Burb, the front brakes locked up numerous times as I was working to stop what is probably close to 14,000# worth of rig. After pumping the brakes quickly a few times, I was VERY impressed with how the trailer (7000# trailer, w/single axle brake) handled. I could hear the tires scratching at the pavement, but they were NOT locking up! Needless to say I got the whole thing slowed well enough to get it in the shoulder as I passed - of course I still needed a change of PANTS!!! /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

I love this thing - and there is NO WAY you could convince me to hack up my brake lines to install a hydro unit either. Its a clean install, and its a great unit.

Happy Hunting Steve!!!

-Dan

I got the Jordan on Grims recomendation, put it in the day I left for Moab this year, Awesome! Absoultly amazing. Once I positioned the K5 correctly on the trailer**cough cough** I had no towing problems whatsoever! /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Tekonsha Voyager. The only difference between the Voyager and the Prodigy is that the prodigy has a fancy digital face and the self-levelling function, which isn't really a big deal since levelling a brake controller takes about 4 seconds. You can also set the controller to what we call the "company brakes" setting where your trailer will actually brake harder than the truck. Not a bad function unless the roads are slick or snow covered.

There's one other function that differs between the two and I'm actually amazed that Tekonsha bothered designing it in. The Prodigy has the ability to inertia brake in reverse. If you're going backwards fast enough to engage an inertia operated braking system with a trailer behind you, you shouldn't be towing in the first place. My humble opinion of course. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

So..........best bang for your buck for a 2-axle trailer brake controller is the Tekonsha Voyager.(There's a Voyager for 3 and 4 axle setups too, BTW)

The prodigy is inertia activated for both forward and reverse. So, you don't have to adjust it for different loads. And try backing up a trailer down a steep grade and you'll see why the inertia reverse braking is so nice. No more "jerking" when you hit the brakes, its nice and smooth. I have used both of the Tekonsha models (prodigy & voyager) on my tow rig, towing the same load, and I found the prodigy to be much more responsive to braking in different conditions. I'm not saying the voyager is bad, I've just had better luck with the prodigy.

If I had a ton of cash, I'd buy a Jordan and be done with it. But I don't, so the prodigy was the second best choice in my opinion.

BIGJ

I have the prodigy as well. Love it. never used anything else, I just read the RV boards, and everyone said, Prodigy or Jordan. Place I got my trailer from had the prodigy, so thats what I got.

Controller + proper tongue weight, height and weight distributig + anti sway, voila, effortless towing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ttt

any other options?? from what iv'e read the prodigy looks the way to go..

just checking before i buy..

I did a reasearch on this a while back on the diesel boards and saw the most people have the prodigy and is happy with it.
And peeps that have the Jordan were happy with theirs.

And finally, folks that HAD the Prodigy and SWITCHED to the Jordan, preferred the Jordan hands down...
Based on that, I went with the Jordan (a few bucks more), and am very happy with. Easy to install (probably not as simple as the Prod, since you have to hook the cable and bracket up to the brakes), but that takes 2 secs....

The link Grim sent explains it all.
I really dig it.
I there is also the Brakesmart out there, that is the best out...but damn pricey!

[ QUOTE ]
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Tekonsha Voyager. The only difference between the Voyager and the Prodigy is that the prodigy has a fancy digital face and the self-levelling function, which isn't really a big deal since levelling a brake controller takes about 4 seconds. You can also set the controller to what we call the "company brakes" setting where your trailer will actually brake harder than the truck. Not a bad function unless the roads are slick or snow covered.

There's one other function that differs between the two and I'm actually amazed that Tekonsha bothered designing it in. The Prodigy has the ability to inertia brake in reverse. If you're going backwards fast enough to engage an inertia operated braking system with a trailer behind you, you shouldn't be towing in the first place. My humble opinion of course. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

So..........best bang for your buck for a 2-axle trailer brake controller is the Tekonsha Voyager.(There's a Voyager for 3 and 4 axle setups too, BTW)



[/ QUOTE ]

I have one!!! /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
I think I paid $49 for it...

I diffenately like being able to adjust my braking..
I know of people...that have lost brakes in their pull rig..
and have adjusted their trailer brakes..to get home... /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif