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Mounting Questions

After an eyebrow-raising panic stop this weekend, I've decided to upgrade to a Prodigy or P3 brake controller. I've already determined that functionally there is little difference between the two.

Can anyone advise, though:

1) Is there a difference in size between the two units? I can't find dimensions anywhere on Tekonsha's site, and refuse to be put on hold for another 15 minutes (already tried twice) while nobody from tech support picks up my call.

2) Will either one fit in the pocket below and to the right of the steering wheel? That's where mine is currently mounted. I know I can't see it well there, but once it's set up, I shouldn't need to. It's easy to reach there, and I didn't need to drill any holes in the face of the plastic (just one in the back of the pocket for the wires to pass through).

TIA.

Andy

 

Can't help you on the P3, but I have the Prodigy and while I didn't put it in that space, I did test fit it when I first put mine in back in 2002... As I recall, it would physically fit, but I don't think I found an easy way to mount it, other then it just resting in there loose.

I wanted it hard mounted so that the slide lever can be easly reached and activated in an emergency.. Plus, I 'test' the trailer brakes by using the slide bar each time I take the trailer out, to make sure they are working before I get up to any kind of speed!

I've got mine mounted on the fuse box door on the left side of the steering wheel. I used the slide in box so that I can remove the controller, which I do after the 'camping' season is over..

Now, the only drawback to this position is that if you have the seat moved forward, your knee will hit it... I have the seat all the way back, so it's not an issue for me, but if my wife were to drive the truck with it installed, her knee hits it... It's not really been an issue either, because my wife rarely drives the truck anyway, and if she does, it won't be with the trailer, so I would just remove the controller....

Mitch

 

I have my prodigy mounted on the fuse box too. I am a big tall guy and I have whacked my knee on it before but I think that is the best spot to put it on these trucks.

 

I have my Prodigy mounted in the pocket below and to the right of the steering wheel,fits nice.got the prewired plug with it.

 

This is where I install all Ford light truck brake controllers. F150-F450
Not the cubby hole... just the indentation/pocket areas above where the manual t-case shifter would be on 1991-2003 F150's. The Super Duty's have the same area available even in current production trucks.
The newer 150's I put it to the right of the steering wheel, high enough to be out of the way of the knee but low enough that the keys don't hit it while in the ignition.

The left side is always getting knocked and getting in and out is a pain with a controller there. Poeple complain about the holes but have no probelem putting holes in the fuse cover?? Wha.. HUH?

The left side is reserved for left handed people who need a left side mounted brake controller. Hitting it with their knees is really the only option for them, but most have learned to deal with things already being left handed.... life/manufactruing was not designed for them.



The P3 is a little longer from front to back than the Prodigy but rough front dimensions are pretty close.

The only real reason for anyone to have a P3 is if they plan to haul an electric brake trailer and immediatly then haul an electric over hydralic brake trailer. This has only happened to me once at work. I tow 10-20 times a day to put this in perspective.

Yes, the error codes are in plain english with the P3 but most of us will never see an error code ever.

Long story short, save your money. Get a prodigy. Mount it NOT in a pocket but on the dash where it was designed to be installed and easily accessable.

 

I bought the P3 for piece of mind. I felt that with the Prodigy I would have to pull out my manual if an error code occurred and I needed to know what it it. I think there both great brake controllers but its like DOS and Windows. Which one do you prefer? The P3 would be Windows b/c of its some what graphical interface.

 

Thanks, Colorado. Do you have any pics?

P3 vs Prodigy - I like the diagnostics (voltage, current readings especially) that the P3 offers, but will have to weigh this out against the cost difference. Front-panel controls are nice, but probably not much of a difference where it will be mounted(?).

Andy

P.S. Re: Fuse cover vs. dash - The fuse cover can be replaced easily with a J/Y piece. The dash, not so much. Probably a driving force in the comments above, and would be my consideration, as well, if not keeping the truck 'til the wheels fall off.

 

Ditto on the fact the cover can be replaced if needed. Each to their own really.... I'm right handed, but I do like it on the left side all the same. In the 7 years it's been there, I think I've hit it with my knee maybe 2 times...

So, it's not where everyone else mounts it.. It's where it works best for you...

Mitch

 

Sorry, no pics.. I install a couple of brake controllers per shift. If I ran out and took pics everytime I installed one, I'd have no time to do anything else.

I recently started taking before and after pictures of trailers I have painted

Like these:

 

Looks like nice work. I figured out of hundreds of installs you'd have at least one pic!

In my hunt, I've found I can get the P3 for $20 more than the Prodigy. Now I'm trying to decide if the digital voltmeter, ability to read brake current, and push-buttons in place of the adjustment wheel is worth the extra $$.

Andy

 

Thought I'd post an update.

A few weeks ago I scored a Draw-Tite-branded P3 on eBay. Figured if it didn't fit in the cubby-hole, I'd just drill to mount the bracket.

Well, it fits (as Ace Ventura would say) Lllllike a glove, and strip of Velcro on the bottom keeps it nicely in place.







Andy

 

I have the P3 and it's awesome.

 

I've only towed with it one time, but so far it's

Andy