arthurs family
St.Louis MO. USA.
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Thank you egrove and Drtantoad. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do a complete reset as I think the power is right. I'm probably on boost number 2 so I will keep going till it cycles to the 0. Thanks again
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RDGENT
fl
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Prodigy boost control must be adjusted acording to speed unless your trailer is very light.
At slow speeds and in traffic boost is not needed and trailer brakes will grab
if it is set high. After reaching highway speeds if you do not increase your boost and have to make an emergency stop you are going to be in for a big surprise when you can not stop your rig.
People who think a prodigy controller is set and forget need to be taught how to use it.
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egrove
Dallastown, PA
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I don't think that is entirely true. I think the important setting is the power level, as long as that is set correctly you should be OK. All the boost does is kick on a little power when you first hit the brake pedal to make the trailer brakes feel more responsive. If you are at highway speed and get in an emergency situation and hit the tow vehicle brakes hard, the inertia sensor will react to the hard braking and throw the trailer brakes on just as hard, regardless of the boost setting.
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NEVERSWEAT7
Bakersfield, Ca. USA
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I understand that well. I had to back my prodigy down one notch. it is very, well, extremely sensitive which is a double edged sword. I have also learned to feather that brake pedal instead of applying the same amount of pressure without a load on back. Good luck
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PackerBacker
Montreal Qc Adirondacks,NY
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RDGENT wrote:Prodigy boost control must be adjusted acording to speed unless your trailer is very light.
At slow speeds and in traffic boost is not needed and trailer brakes will grab
if it is set high. After reaching highway speeds if you do not increase your boost and have to make an emergency stop you are going to be in for a big surprise when you can not stop your rig.
People who think a prodigy controller is set and forget need to be taught how to use it.
Absolutely, this is exactly what I have experienced also. Over the past 3 years, I've had two situations where I had to get on the brakes hard and suddenly. I found that having the boost higher at highway speeds really provides that extra edge for initial braking.
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Sandy & Shirley
North East, MD
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PackerBacker wrote:RDGENT wrote:Prodigy boost control must be adjusted acording to speed unless your trailer is very light.
At slow speeds and in traffic boost is not needed and trailer brakes will grab
if it is set high. After reaching highway speeds if you do not increase your boost and have to make an emergency stop you are going to be in for a big surprise when you can not stop your rig.
People who think a prodigy controller is set and forget need to be taught how to use it.
Absolutely, this is exactly what I have experienced also. Over the past 3 years, I've had two situations where I had to get on the brakes hard and suddenly. I found that having the boost higher at highway speeds really provides that extra edge for initial braking.
I always thought that Prodigy was a set it once and never touch it again controller. Every time I get into a discussion about which controller is best everyone keeps saying that they never have to touch their controller once they set them the first time.
So what is the truth? Is it best to adjust the Prodigy differently for highway and city? Or is it set it once and never touch it again?
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egrove
Dallastown, PA
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I'm able to set mine and never mess with it. But then again I have a fairly light trailer. According to Tekonsha you shouldn't have to mess with the settings unless somethings changes such as trailer weight, brake wear, etc.
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PackerBacker
Montreal Qc Adirondacks,NY
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Quote:I always thought that Prodigy was a set it once and never touch it again controller. Every time I get into a discussion about which controller is best everyone keeps saying that they never have to touch their controller once they set them the first time.
So what is the truth? Is it best to adjust the Prodigy differently for highway and city? Or is it set it once and never touch it again?
My experience is that I do not get the 'grabbing' feel in stop & go traffic when I have the boost set low, i.e. b1. However at highway speeds I feel more positive braking such as when exiting a highway as an example, when I have the boost at b2.
I could leave it at b1 and stop just fine, but I find it feels a little more secure at b2 when braking from highway speeds.
... Eric
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Sandy & Shirley
North East, MD
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Thanks for clearing that up. I know what you mean about heavier trailers. Our 5er weighs a little over 13,000 and the first time I used my new controller it still felt like the 5er was pushing me when I stopped. I increased the “power factor” and “initial brake constant” two steps each, and now it is perfect for both highway and city traffic. I haven’t made another adjustment since that first day. Seems like all manufacturers set them up for lighter trailers.
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RDGENT
fl
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Let me describe boost use this way. My trailer weighs almost twice what my 3500
TV weighs.At speed you always want the trailer to break harder and before the tow vehicle (except on wet roads)unless you want the trailer pushing or maybe passing you.
On wet or slick roads you should reduce both boost and speed,to reduce chance of trailer breaks locking.
A correct setting for 20mph will not work for me at 65mph.
The boost settings are adjustable for this reason.
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