Trailer Brake Controllers

tyhuck · February 10, 2011

Im eventually going to hook up a trailer brake controller in my 05 Silverado, and I was wondering which brand and model controller I needed. Ive always run Tekonsha Voyagers in my other trucks, but they were HDs and I wanted a good controller for heavy loads. But, Im not going to haul anything stupidly heavy with this truck since it only a 1/2 ton. Ive also had to tighten the budget since my wife and I had a new baby in August and money is getting tighter around my house. Since the Tekonsha controllers are rather pricey, around $100 IIRC, Im looking for a budget minded controller that will work when I need it.

Any suggestions?

brisk · February 10, 2011

You can find Prodigys online for about $90 IIRC. Voyagers should only be $60-75. Whatever you get make sure it is a proportional controller and not a timed one.

HawkScot · February 10, 2011

I got the P3, but if you don't need/want electric over hydraulic ability, then you can get the cheaper one that does the same job.

You can see and compare some of them here (http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Brake_Controller.aspx). I am sure there are others, but as mentioned above, proportional is the way to go, not time delayed.

Some will tell you to go with SmartBrake (something like that, but are more money)

tyhuck · February 10, 2011

I was looking at a Curt brand. It was like $40 but I dont want to cheap out too much.

Gil85 · February 11, 2011

You can get a P3 on ebay for $118.95 free ship. Someone is also selling a used one for $90.

tyhuck · February 11, 2011

Key word............CHEAP!!! $120 is not cheap in my book. Im looking for something around $40 if I can find it. If not, then Im gonna wait and save up for another Voyager.

pwall · February 11, 2011

NO offense, but sometimes you get what you pay for.....a cheap brake controller may be just that, cheap.

MikeNH · February 11, 2011

NO offense, but sometimes you get what you pay for.....a cheap brake controller may be just that, cheap.

X2.

When you buy quality, you only have to buy it once. Spend the money and you'll have a unit you can use on your next truck and the one after that too.

brisk · February 11, 2011

NO offense, but sometimes you get what you pay for.....a cheap brake controller may be just that, cheap.

X2.

When you buy quality, you only have to buy it once. Spend the money and you'll have a unit you can use on your next truck and the one after that too.

Yep. This is the 4th truck that I have had my prodigy in. If price is a big factor than find the cheapest proportional controller you can.

Diesail · February 11, 2011

A "cheap" brake controller is going to be time based. Not what you want if you are looking to tow safely. The bottom end of the proportional controllers is going to run you about $80 bucks.

pink1632 · February 12, 2011

I'm running the Tekonsha Accupower Pilot Brake Control and absolutely love it, very simple to operate. Right now you can get it at: http://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-Accupower-P...l/dp/B002OJ9Y66 for $59.00 plus shipping & sales tax...

Good Luck

tyhuck · February 12, 2011

NO offense, but sometimes you get what you pay for.....a cheap brake controller may be just that, cheap.

X2.

When you buy quality, you only have to buy it once. Spend the money and you'll have a unit you can use on your next truck and the one after that too.

Yeah, I had a Voyager in my last truck and forgot to take it out before I traded it for my wife's Tahoe. live and learn I guess.

jhplak325 · February 12, 2011

Z71, I sent you a pm about a brake controller I have for sale.

tyhuck · February 13, 2011

I responded

revrnd · February 16, 2011

NO offense, but sometimes you get what you pay for.....a cheap brake controller may be just that, cheap.

X2.

When you buy quality, you only have to buy it once. Spend the money and you'll have a unit you can use on your next truck and the one after that too.

Yep. This is the 4th truck that I have had my prodigy in. If price is a big factor than find the cheapest proportional controller you can.

X3

I just installed my P3 in my '11. Previously it was in my '04. Less than an hour to install it in the '04 (mounting was probably more time consuming than anything else). Probably an hour & a half installing it today in the GMT900 which requires soldering the connections.

When you consider how long you'll have the controller, it's not that big of a cost. Heck filling up my truck if it's empty will be about the same as what I paid for the P3.

The BrakeSmart seems to be a favourite among SOME people on the RV sites. Someone will ask the same question as the OP & will get a dozen or so replies about good results w/ the various Tekonsha controllers. The some clown will post, "If it's not a BrakeSmart, you may as well be towing w/o trailer brakes!" Or variations of the same. I think they're much pricier than electric controllers & require you to tap into the hydraulics of the brakes. Some folks (myself included) may not feel comfortable doing this.