Where can I get a good trailer brake controler for a resonable price? I am using my 99 Expedition 4X4 to haul a dual axle enclosed trailer (with Lightning inside) from Ohio to Bristol and need to get something in the way of a brake controller for this.. any thoughts?

 

There are lots of "good" brake controllers, but the "best" one is the Prodigy IMO....

They cost anywhere from $100 - $150 depending on where you get them. For an extra $10 you can get a pre wired pigtail specifically for your Ford and it'll just plug right in. Only thing to do is mount it, set it, and it's ready to go.

If this is only going to be a one time deal with the trailer, then you can probably get away with one of the "good" ones for around $50 or so.

I started out with one of those "good" controllers and when I found out about the Prodigy, I checked it out and got one. All I can say is it's like night and day between the two....

Good luck!

Mitch

 

why is the Prodigy so good? what features does it have. i am using a reese controller now for occasional use but will be pulling the stang most weekends so if there is a better unit i might get one

 

Here is the web site that has all the official specs on it.

Prodigy

All I know is that I no longer have the "jerky" application of the trailer brakes any more. It's very smooth, but you know the brakes are working at the same time.

It seems to work by sensing how hard you are braking and only applying the necessary amount of power to the trailer, so it's proportional to how the truck is slowing down.

 

Mitch 150 is totally correct about the Prodigy.

I started out with a U-Haul controller that the RV people had installed for me. There was plenty of jerking and overheating of the brakes because of the way the brakes were applied by the controller.

With the Prodigy proportional braking there is no comparision.

Bob

 

Check out RJay's for the Prodigy. For $116 shippe,d you'll get the controller and the adapter. Makes it very easy to set up and provides excellent trailer braking.

 

If I order the controller and harness, then all I need is the included Ford trailer contoller bag that has the fuse, and some other stuff.... right? I have never done one of these before... How hard to install? Any tips? I will be using the towing bag from my Lightning since my used Expedition did not come with that bag of goodies.

 

93,

If you are lucky, then all the relays and additional fuses will already be installed... Does the X have the round 7 pin connector at the rear already?

The additional stuff goes in the fuse box that's under the hood on the drivers side. You should refer to the owners manual for the exact sockets for your X, as I've only looked at my F150. And mine were already installed when I bought my truck used...

You don't need anything else for just the brake contoller to work however. Just plug it in under the dash (should be next to or near the diagnostic COM port for the trucks computer) and mount it someplace that you can still reach the manual slid bar WITHOUT having to look for it! That's important, because the manual slid will activate the trailer brakes only and that's useful if the trailer starts to sway for whatever reason.... But that's a whole other deal there...

The additional fuses and relays are for the trailer lights and the 12v charging feature if the trailer has it's own battery, which it should have if it has electric brakes, as that's what will activate the emergency "break away" switch and apply the trailer brakes if it becomes disconnected from your truck.

Hope that helps some more! (probably just created a whole new list of questions for you however!!, ha)

Mitch

 

No doubt about it. The Prodigy is the best damn controller I have ever used! I have used Tekonshas before and this one is their best by far. Beats them all.