Need some advice on a brake controller...

[Camo Ranger]

Hey everyone. I was hoping I could get some advice on what brake controller to buy. I know there are a lot of brands out there, and everyone has there favorite. I'll be looking to tow a small horse trailer (about 2500 lbs) with two axles. I don't know whether to go with a proportional or time-delayed controller. I know there are pros and cons to both, and that the proportional controllers are typically more money. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[gw33gp]

I use a proportional controller. I have never used a time delay type but I can't imaging how they could be nearly as good as the proportional. Saving money on brakes for lesser quality never seemed like a good idea to me. It is good to have power to make it go but it is more important to have good brakes to make it stop.

 

[Camo Ranger]

Ok new question...

Looking under the dash on my truck, I don't see any open ports to plug a brake controller into. I really don't want to go splicing wires and shit if I don't have to. Am I missing something just being stupid or is there a seperate connector or something I should buy?

Btw, don't know if it matters or not but I already have a 4-pole flat connector that was already installed when I got the truck. I don't know if its factory original or not.

 

[STANG3O2]

Go with the best brake controler you can afford. I sugest the progidy and to avoid the time delay. Especialy when hauling fragile cargo.

This is what I use: http://www.etrailer.com/p-90195/Tekonsha-P-3-Trailer-Brake-Controller---Proportional.html

 

[gw33gp]

Rangers do not come from the factory with a port for a brake controller. You will have to splice into wires and you will have to run a wire to the rear for a connection to the trailer brakes.

The four pole flat connector is most likely for the trailer lights only. I run a 6 pole connector but I don't have the break-away safety brake system.

 

[Will]

A time-delay controller is suicide. Doesn't matter how badly you want to stop--it will clamly begin to apply the trailer brakes. An inertial type is what you need. It knows you want to stop badly and immediately runs full-on. I also recommend the Prodigy because it's easy to set up. You don't have to level it.

The break-away brakes have nothing to do with the connector. It's just a battery and a switch with a lanyard and it's all attached to the trailer. If the trailer breaks free, the lanyard pulls the switch out, connects the little battery to the trailer brakes and applies them.

 

[Jspafford]

The only wire you have to splice for the Brake Control is the stop light switch wire. There is 4 wires on any brake control. White-Black-Red-Blue. White=Ground, Black=12V Power, Red=Stop Light Switch, Blue=Ran back to 7-way bargman plug.

Any innertia controller is good. Some have to be adjusted for level, other, like the prodigy do it themselves. There is also the Prodigy's big brother, the P3, which has a digital mini screen with diagnostics built in.

I would NOT recommend a time based controller, spend the extra money, you won't regret it.

 

[gw33gp]

The break-away brakes have nothing to do with the connector. It's just a battery and a switch with a lanyard and it's all attached to the trailer. If the trailer breaks free, the lanyard pulls the switch out, connects the little battery to the trailer brakes and applies them.

I have never run a break-away system but it is my understanding that you run an extra pin on the connector to charge the trailer battery.

 

[Tractorman]

I have a time delay. It sucks. Place that installed mine (would have done it myself but was in a time crunch) was outrageous on their price for a Prodigy. I have to crank the volts up on the highway, then adjust down for in town, or it will grab way too hard.

Prodigy or Jordan 2020 would be my pick. I like the Jordan cuz it hooks to the pedal, not based on the inertia of the truck stopping.