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Trailer Brake Controller

arwriter

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arwriter Enthusiast

arwriter

Posted
Posted

I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado 2500 ECSB 4x4 6.0. It currently does not have a trailer brake controller installed. I am wondering if this pick-up is plug and play ready for one, or if I will have to install the wiring for it. I am also seeking advice as to which trailer brake controller to purchase. I have have heard good things about the Tekonsha prodigy. Also, what is the best type? ie: proportional or time delay.

 

Real world experience is helpful. Thanks guys.

pwall Senior Enthusiast

pwall

Posted
Posted

I highly recommend that Tekonsha Prodigy. It's an excellent proportional brake controller.

There are many on the market, and price will vary greatly. However, I would stick with the prodigy.

wild willy Enthusiast

wild willy

Posted
Posted

Did your truck come with the trailer wiring option, RPO UY7 I think? You may be able to buy the pigtail that goes from your under-dash electrical center to the controller, saving you a little wiring.

 

+1 on the Prodigy- good unit. Tekonsha makes top shelf stuff.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted
I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado 2500 ECSB 4x4 6.0. It currently does not have a trailer brake controller installed. I am wondering if this pick-up is plug and play ready for one, or if I will have to install the wiring for it. I am also seeking advice as to which trailer brake controller to purchase. I have have heard good things about the Tekonsha prodigy. Also, what is the best type? ie: proportional or time delay.

 

Real world experience is helpful. Thanks guys.

 

I have the Tekonsha P3 model. Got it off of ebay for under a hundred BNIB. Installed in no time (truck came roughed in), and worked right out of the box.

RJG183SA Enthusiast

RJG183SA

Posted
Posted

Adam, I have a Prodigy that is for sale if interested. Used it in my 03 2500HD for a couple of years. Bought an 09, no longer have use for the controller. It is plug and play with the correct harness. Plus you will need to add a 40 amp maxi-fuse to your under hood electrical ctr. to charge the battery for your break-away system.

 

My setup includes the harness for 03 up, part# 3015. 99 - 02 requires part# 3025. The only difference between the two is, the location of one wire in the connector which can be switched easily.

 

Let me know if your interested.

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revrnd Senior Enthusiast

revrnd

Posted
Posted

I'm using a Tekonsha P3.

 

Picked it up @ Camping World. The P3 come w/ a pigtail for solder connections. For the GMT800 you can buy from them a harness that makes for a plug & play installation.

ajcain79 Enthusiast

ajcain79

Posted
Posted

I use the Tekonsha P3. It's a nice controller and it has some features that other models don't have. For example, you can monitor voltage, amperage, brake voltage and a few other things. I paid less than $100 for mine from eBay a couple years ago.

arwriter Enthusiast

arwriter

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Adam, I have a Prodigy that is for sale if interested. Used it in my 03 2500HD for a couple of years. Bought an 09, no longer have use for the controller. It is plug and play with the correct harness. Plus you will need to add a 40 amp maxi-fuse to your under hood electrical ctr. to charge the battery for your break-away system.

 

My setup includes the harness for 03 up, part# 3015. 99 - 02 requires part# 3025. The only difference between the two is, the location of one wire in the connector which can be switched easily.

 

Let me know if your interested.

 

 

I am interested. Please PM me with more details. Thank you.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted
Best aftermarket controller out there, bar none, is BrakeSmart.

 

Prodigy doesn't come close.

 

http://trailerwest.com/pageBrakeSmart.php

 

Did you install it yourself?

 

 

Yes. They supply prewired wire harness, and the hookup to the brake system is a simple "T" connector at the master cylinder (they supply everything).

 

 

You are comparing apples and oranges. Two different types of controllers. And two different price brackets as well. Now add in that they are no longer being produced. 4 times the price, requires tapping into the hydraulic side of the brakes, and is discontiued. Can't see how it is better now.

BlackSilver Senior Enthusiast

BlackSilver

Posted
Posted
Best aftermarket controller out there, bar none, is BrakeSmart.

 

Prodigy doesn't come close.

 

http://trailerwest.com/pageBrakeSmart.php

 

Did you install it yourself?

 

 

Yes. They supply prewired wire harness, and the hookup to the brake system is a simple "T" connector at the master cylinder (they supply everything).

 

 

You are comparing apples and oranges. Two different types of controllers. And two different price brackets as well. Now add in that they are no longer being produced. 4 times the price, requires tapping into the hydraulic side of the brakes, and is discontiued. Can't see how it is better now.

 

 

The fact that it reads your truck braking effort directly at the master cylinder (a 5 minute installation of a "T" mounted presure sensor) is precisely what makes the BrakeSmart so much better than the Prodigy (along with a lot of other features).

 

They are currently not in production, but if you can wait 3 weeks, I'm told they'll be available then.

 

And a note for the original poster....... whatever you decide, DO NOT buy a time delay controller. They are dangerous junk.

arwriter Enthusiast

arwriter

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Best aftermarket controller out there, bar none, is BrakeSmart.

 

Prodigy doesn't come close.

 

http://trailerwest.com/pageBrakeSmart.php

 

Did you install it yourself?

 

 

Yes. They supply prewired wire harness, and the hookup to the brake system is a simple "T" connector at the master cylinder (they supply everything).

 

 

You are comparing apples and oranges. Two different types of controllers. And two different price brackets as well. Now add in that they are no longer being produced. 4 times the price, requires tapping into the hydraulic side of the brakes, and is discontiued. Can't see how it is better now.

 

 

The fact that it reads your truck braking effort directly at the master cylinder (a 5 minute installation of a "T" mounted presure sensor) is precisely what makes the BrakeSmart so much better than the Prodigy (along with a lot of other features).

 

They are currently not in production, but if you can wait 3 weeks, I'm told they'll be available then.

 

And a note for the original poster....... whatever you decide, DO NOT buy a time delay controller. They are dangerous junk.

 

 

Noted, thanks.

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