trailer tow package... need brake controller
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I bought the P3 about a month ago. It is awesome. Now, I have no comparison since it is the first brake controller I have purchased. But, that may just be a good point to add. Installed in about 15 minutes and set up the controller with trailer attached in about 5 minutes.
During my research I was told that the Prodigy and P3 are very similar. The P3 just gives you status and errors in plain words and not codes.
I went with the P3 because others, my wife primarily, may be towing without me. Plain words to explain a problem seemed better than having to look through a manual when there are issues. We tow horses so towing can be stressful enough.
One last comment regarding the cost. $80, $100 or $150 is not much to fuss over when you look at the bigger picture. Big picture being $10K to $15K for a trailer plus $5K to $25K for the tow vehicle plus $2K to $5K for cargo.
Skip a few beers at the bar or a dinner out and go for the best brake controller, Prodigy or the P3.
-T
During my research I was told that the Prodigy and P3 are very similar. The P3 just gives you status and errors in plain words and not codes.
I went with the P3 because others, my wife primarily, may be towing without me. Plain words to explain a problem seemed better than having to look through a manual when there are issues. We tow horses so towing can be stressful enough.
One last comment regarding the cost. $80, $100 or $150 is not much to fuss over when you look at the bigger picture. Big picture being $10K to $15K for a trailer plus $5K to $25K for the tow vehicle plus $2K to $5K for cargo.
Skip a few beers at the bar or a dinner out and go for the best brake controller, Prodigy or the P3.
-T
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
And where/what is that? Because I'm in the same boat... I didn't even know I was gonna need such a thing. I'm renting a travel trailer this summer and apparently a brake controller is required. So now I need to get as much info as possible. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but just want to plug and play. Is that gonna be possible?
DISREGARD...JUST PURCHASED A PRODIGY PROPORTIONAL (PART #90185)....
Last edited by effextwo; Feb 17, 2009 at 05:31 PM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
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From: Calgary, Ab
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,460
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From: NYC, Ct & NC
The Primus is just an economy version of the Prodigy.
The onboard diagnostics are improved in the Prodigy as well as an ability to mount it at more extreme dash angles.
Places like www.etailer.com actually have the Prodigy on sale cheaper than the Primus.
($98)
I would imagine that the Primus is going to be discontinued as a product.
The onboard diagnostics are improved in the Prodigy as well as an ability to mount it at more extreme dash angles.
Places like www.etailer.com actually have the Prodigy on sale cheaper than the Primus.
($98)I would imagine that the Primus is going to be discontinued as a product.
How do brake controllers work. I understand the logic behind it and I thought that you had to press the buttons on the controller when pressing your brake pedal on the truck to work but I guess that's wrong. I see people mounting the really low and I'm like dam how do they reach it when braking, lol. Can some explain to me (towing newb) how this works.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,358
Likes: 1
From: Commerce Twp, MI
pmason,
There is an accelerometer in proportional brake controllers that senses how much you are trying to brake the truck/trailer and determines how much trailer brakes to apply. Most of the time, the driver never needs to do anything different when braking than not towing. There is always an override that allows the driver to manually add more trailer braking, but this is not used for every stop.
There is an accelerometer in proportional brake controllers that senses how much you are trying to brake the truck/trailer and determines how much trailer brakes to apply. Most of the time, the driver never needs to do anything different when braking than not towing. There is always an override that allows the driver to manually add more trailer braking, but this is not used for every stop.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 0
From: NYC, Ct & NC
pmason,
There is an accelerometer in proportional brake controllers that senses how much you are trying to brake the truck/trailer and determines how much trailer brakes to apply. Most of the time, the driver never needs to do anything different when braking than not towing. There is always an override that allows the driver to manually add more trailer braking, but this is not used for every stop.
There is an accelerometer in proportional brake controllers that senses how much you are trying to brake the truck/trailer and determines how much trailer brakes to apply. Most of the time, the driver never needs to do anything different when braking than not towing. There is always an override that allows the driver to manually add more trailer braking, but this is not used for every stop.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 3
From: Central KY
The braking force is adjustable and you set it during the initial installation. The accelerometer senses how quickly you decelerate the tow vehicle and modulates the electric brakes on the trailer to work in concert with the tow vehicle. There are various adjustments you can make to tweak the braking applied by the controller. You will need to read the instructions fully to set them correctly. I love my Prodigy. Once it is setup correctly you almost can't tell the trailer is back there when braking.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: St.Joseph County Indiana
I bought the P3 about a month ago. It is awesome. Now, I have no comparison since it is the first brake controller I have purchased. But, that may just be a good point to add. Installed in about 15 minutes and set up the controller with trailer attached in about 5 minutes.
During my research I was told that the Prodigy and P3 are very similar. The P3 just gives you status and errors in plain words and not codes.
I went with the P3 because others, my wife primarily, may be towing without me. Plain words to explain a problem seemed better than having to look through a manual when there are issues. We tow horses so towing can be stressful enough.
One last comment regarding the cost. $80, $100 or $150 is not much to fuss over when you look at the bigger picture. Big picture being $10K to $15K for a trailer plus $5K to $25K for the tow vehicle plus $2K to $5K for cargo.
Skip a few beers at the bar or a dinner out and go for the best brake controller, Prodigy or the P3.
-T
During my research I was told that the Prodigy and P3 are very similar. The P3 just gives you status and errors in plain words and not codes.
I went with the P3 because others, my wife primarily, may be towing without me. Plain words to explain a problem seemed better than having to look through a manual when there are issues. We tow horses so towing can be stressful enough.
One last comment regarding the cost. $80, $100 or $150 is not much to fuss over when you look at the bigger picture. Big picture being $10K to $15K for a trailer plus $5K to $25K for the tow vehicle plus $2K to $5K for cargo.
Skip a few beers at the bar or a dinner out and go for the best brake controller, Prodigy or the P3.
-T
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
The loose wire ends will attach to the supplied wires that come on your brake controller. The connector end will plug into the truck... locations of this plug was the original post of this thread. 1997-2008 it is above the gas pedal on the bottom of the dash... above/behind the OBDII diagnostic port.
If you purchase a Prodigy or P3 you can get a wiring harness that is totally plug and play and no splicing is required. Costs about $15 (edited for correct price)
Last edited by Colorado Osprey; Feb 20, 2009 at 09:51 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,460
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From: NYC, Ct & NC
This is what I rather do. Can you or someone set me up on a website (who ever has the P3 cheaper) with the P3 and the plug n play connector, I'm ready to checkout.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-BC~90195.htm
or Prodigy: $99
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-BC~90185.htm
Wiring harness for either(same harness):$15
http://www.etrailer.com/p-3035-p.htm
That place has a low price pledge. If you find it cheaper elsewhere they beat it by 110% within 30 days.
Any purchases over $150 have free shipping... another reason for the P3??