kmbernstein
colorado springs, co
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Hello again...we are in the process of negotiating for a 2012 Koala 21CS travel trailer, GVWR 4950, exterior length 24 feet. We have a 2007 Ford Explorer with factory installed towing package. (According to the VIN, we have a 3.55:1 axle ratio and a transmission cooler, however, we have an appointment with our mechanic next week to make sure that is all true.) Anyway, one of the things we are trying to make a determination on is the brake controller. My thoughts, after being on the forum forever, is a Prodigy 2 brake controller. The dealer is recommending a Husky brake controller. Can't find much about it. Anyone have any input. Thanks guys.
Me, 1 Great hubby (Tim), Cole the Standard Poodle,
Magic the tiny Bengal Cat
2012 Skyline Koala 21CS
2007 Ford Explorer
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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I have the prodigy and am on my second one. I like the way they work. I had a panic stop in Portland Oregon once and didn't have the prodigy at that time. had to head for the shoulder to avoid hitting the cars in front of me. with the prodigy, when I hit the brakes I stop.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Prodigy is one of several very fine controllers. Husky makes some that are very similar to the P2 but they make a number of different models so without knowing which one it's hard to say much more than that.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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jerem0621
SE Tennessee
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Joined: 05/17/2009
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Tekonsha simply makes the best add on electronic brake controller... period.
Others are good, but for my $$$$ it will be Tekonsha attached to the dash...
I have an older Tekonsha Primus I bought used off of Ebay, The only thing I would consider replacing it with is a Primus IQ, Prodigy P2, or Prodigy P3. I have this older pendulum style proportional controller set up very well. The braking is very smooth... I can't imagine a better braking experience but the Prodigy line is supposed to be even better.
I have went the route of the time based controller first... thought I was fine... I was not... Here is that original post that helped me see the light on Proportional controllers... Brake Controllers
If you go with the Husky... make sure that it is at least a Pendulum or Accelerometer based PROPORTIONAL brake controller. Please do not rely on the dealer to set it up correctly for you. They may install it just fine, but make sure YOU understand how to tune the controller according to the manufacturers specs.
Thanks!
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
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bfast54
Traverse City ,Mi.
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Joined: 12/24/2003
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Well..It appears to me, the dealer , may have some stock..he needs to move , ..course, I can't prove this, but................
I have used a Prodigy for a number of years, and am on my second rig, with my current Prodigy.
Easy to set up, easy to use, I like mine.
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E&J push'n wind
San Diego CA, The best climate on earth!
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Joined: 12/21/2009
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I just bought one (a P2) based on the popularity here on the forum. Now it's time to hook up & use it.
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know much, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
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jerem0621
SE Tennessee
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Joined: 05/17/2009
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E&J push'n wind wrote:I just bought one (a P2) based on the popularity here on the forum. Now it's time to hook up & use it.
Great choice in a brake controller..People are constantly asking "can my TV pull it" questions...
Stopping is much much more important.
The Prodigy will help you in do this safely.
Thanks!
Jerem
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PUCampin
Castaic
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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I agree with everyone else, Prodigy P2 or P3 is the way to go. An accelerometer based controller is a MUST. DO NOT accept a time delay or pendulum controller. It will only cost maybe $50 to get a P2 or P3 over the Husky. Your new TT is how many thousands??? Is it even worth a second thought? Dealer is likely pushing what he has in stock, pretty typical. A brake controller is actually extremely easy to install. The tow package equipped Explorer has a plug under the dash. Just get the vehicle specific adapter with the prodigy, plug one end into the prodigy, the other into the car. Find a convienent mounting location, does not need to be level, plug in the relay in the power box under the hood. Done! Setting it is pretty easy too, just follow the included directions. Oh, and Tekonsha has a LIFETIME NO QUESTIONS ASKED warranty on their controllers! And great tech support.
BTW, your chosen TT is an exelent match for your Explorer, you will be very pleased.
I would also recommend a combination weight distrobution/sway control like the reese dual cam (also called the straight line) or and equalizer brand system (not to be confused with an equalizer style weight distribution that does not include integrated sway control) I had the Reese straight line with 800lb bars and it was perfect for my TT/Explorer (I kept it and use it with the Expy now). It did a great job keeping the trailer in line behind the Explorer in all conditions. You will still feel stuff, but the TT/TV will move as a whole unit, not the TT swaying behind you.
Also, at the risk of beating a dead horse , I know I mentioned it before, but make sure your mechanic checks for the radiator pass through of the transmission lines. When I called Ford regarding towing and talked to a tech about towing a trailer even before we bought our TT, the tech told me "It has the tow package, so it has a transmission cooler, no problem!! It can tow up to the tow rating We stress test these things buy towing with them in the heat" I was reassured. But what he failed to say is the test trailers do not have a profile like TT, and they were towing at highway speed so there was airflow, not towing up hills at lower speeds like I was doing which works the trans hard and makes for much less airflow over the exclusive stacked plate cooler. I know your mechanic will do right by you, and I am not trying to badger. But I know if I had kept the Explorer, and had not added extra cooling, it would be needing a new transmission, despite what the Ford tech says. When I told my dealer it had leaked on the ground, and then stopped the next day, twice after towing the TT over a hill, they could not tell me why, but wanted to pull it and look at it to the tune of $900. I didn't go for it, and after much digging I discovered what was going on.
Congrats on the TT and Happy Trails!
* This post was
edited 02/05/12 12:05am by PUCampin *
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more PUcampin!)
Nights in 10: 15
Nights in 11: 9  Rained out, sick kids, flat broke, you name it! Bad year for campin
Me DW and the 3 in 3 
DD 6/14/06, DS  11/27/07, DD  11/11/08
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anaro
Cary, NC
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Joined: 01/16/2011
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I had trouble with an old drawtite time delay and upgraded to the P3. The first one had the screen go out. I contacted tekonsha and they mailed me a new one right away along w/ a postage paid return envelope for the broken one. No problems w/ 2nd one. I switched vehicles and now have an integrated ford brake controller so I'm gonna sell the p3. By the way the p3 is easy to install yourself if the tv is already prewired for a brake controller. These units are available new for pretty cheap on eBay.
2009 Ford F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4L diesel 4WD
2011 Crossroads Zinger ZT26BL
Reese Dual Cam
6 nights camped in 2012!
27 nights camped in 2011!
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Mark and Linda
Smyrna, Tennessee
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Joined: 11/06/2011
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I ordered a Prodigy P2 from Etrailer.com on the 19th of January and received it on the 23rd. I installed it with no problems on my Chevrolet PU. I had to drill two little holes for the mounting bracket screws, take off a terminal cover...and plug it in. I hook up the trailer the other day just to check that portion of it..now to get it out and check it on the highway. I love it because it is simple and Etrailer had a video on how to install it. They also requested feedback on the installation etc.
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