Brake Controllers

[Kip in Ga.]

Been looking at different types of brake controllers. And it gets somewhat confusing.

Some don't give much info.

Some say they are "Time Delayed".

Some say they are "proportional".

Some say "electric over hydraulic".
HUH?

What type, brand and model have ya'll found to work best for the EGGS.

Thanks,
Kip

[Ed Harris]

Tekonsha Prodigy.
I have yet to see anyone not recommend it?

[Brian Van Snell]

Originally Posted by Kip in Ga.

Been looking at different types of brake controllers. And it gets somewhat confusing.

Some don't give much info.

Some say they are "Time Delayed".

Some say they are "proportional".

Some say "electric over hydraulic".
HUH?

What type, brand and model have ya'll found to work best for the EGGS.

Thanks,
Kip

Kip:

You might want to start here:

Trailer Brake Controller Information | etrailer.com

It answers questions about proportional versus time delay.

We have a Prodigy Tekonsha brake controller for the electric brakes on our trailer and are happy with it. It is proportional type. I'm sure others will give you their choice. See Tekonsha Website - Electric Trailer Brake Controllers and Trailer Breakaway Brake Systems

Brian

[Radar1]

Kip,
As do most on the forum, I have a Tekonsha Prodigy proportional controller. The faster I need to decelerate, the more pressure is applied to the trailer brakes by the controller.
John

[Borden]

Our car is using a Voyager brake unit 9030 with standard drum electric brakes on trailer. The unit is a proportional braking system the trailer dealer recommended it.

[genexgene]

check this controller out A bit on the high side but worth considering. DirecLink

I have not tried one

[mcbrew]

Don't worry about "electric over hydraulic," that is a type of braking system foundon some large trailers, but is never used in eggs.

Time delay brake controllers are cheap. That's about the only benefit to them. Some of them are a tad smaller, too. They are somewhat digital... meaning that the brakes are either ON or OFF.

Proportional brake controllers are the higher quality option. They brake the trailer in proportion to the amount of braking you apply to the tow vehicle... basically, they do what you would assume all trailer braking systems do (but many don't).

[Carol H]

The Prodigy Tekonsha gets my vote. Would buy again in a flash.

[Matt in SV]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

Don't worry about "electric over hydraulic," that is a type of braking system foundon some large trailers, but is never used in eggs...

Uhaul 16s and little T@B trailers have hydraulic braking systems. You can get hydraulic couplers with master cylinders for not much more than the cost of a nice electronic proportional controller. You'd need hubs, too but you can get all that stuff at Northern Trailer, even with disc brakes! I wouldn't suggest somebody retrofit an electrical system, but the option is out there.

Regards,

Matt

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by genexgene

check this controller out A bit on the high side but worth considering. DirecLink

I have not tried one

Interesting system, but boy oh boy is it pricey. $295.00

Prodigy with a bit of shopping is less than $100.00.
I think that Prodigy by Tekonsha is probably the most common controller. Almost any will work with our small trailers. I prefer the proportional system, but some will sear by the timed system. I want my trailer brakes to come on quickly when I apply the tow brakes. I want there to be enough braking to keep the trailer behind me, and not much that it's trying to stop the tow. I think the prodigy does all that.

[Roy in TO]

I use the Tekonsha P3.
More features than we need for our eggs.
Consider what else you might tow in the future in your purchase decisions today.

[Joe Z]

Tekonsha Prodigy gets my vote too
Joe

[Michel, Bouchard]

I wanted the Tekonsha Prodigy, but they did install the Odyssey II from Valley Industry, and I'm very happy camper with it.

Valley Odyssey II Trailer Brake Controller Review Video | etrailer.com

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by Matt in SV

Uhaul 16s and little T@B trailers have hydraulic braking systems. You can get hydraulic couplers with master cylinders for not much more than the cost of a nice electronic proportional controller. You'd need hubs, too but you can get all that stuff at Northern Trailer, even with disc brakes! I wouldn't suggest somebody retrofit an electrical system, but the option is out there.

Regards,

Matt

Right, but those systems are called 'surge brakes' and are a lot different than electric over hydraulic systems.

[Matt in SV]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

Right, but those systems are called 'surge brakes' and are a lot different than electric over hydraulic systems.

I didn't understand that electric-over-hydraulic was a technology. I thought it was Electric vs. Hydraulic

Surge brakes actuators can be hydraulic. Brian B-P pointed out in a PM that the T@B Surge brakes were cable operated, but isn't the U-Haul mechanism hydraulic? That's the master cylinder reservoir on top just in front of the jack tower, right? Little filler cap on top and plumbing coming out the back? This isn't my trailer, but those things are beasts!

Regards,

Matt

[Roy in TO]

Matt, FYI
Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - Electro/Hydraulic Actuators
Supposedly they give the best of both worlds. Proportional control, trailer brakes that work in reverse and can handle being submersed in water. My understanding is that they are used on heavy boat trailers.

[Roy in TO]

This is from a boat trailer manufacturer:

"Trailer brakes can enhance the towing capabilities of smaller tow vehicles by giving them an ability to stop more easily and safely, particularly in a panic situation. A trailer equipped with hydraulic surge or electric over hydraulic brakes not only improves safety, it also makes towing less stressful.
ShoreLand’r has been installing hydraulic surge brakes as standard equipment on all of its trailers rated at 3,000 lbs. or higher since 2000. Electric over hydraulic brakes are standard on the company’s trailers with carrying capacities over 9,500 pounds. "

Full article is here:
http://www.shorelander.com/pages/med...n%20Towing.pdf

[Roy in TO]

And an interesting article discussing the three; electric, surge and electric over hydraulic:
Compact Equipment Talking Shop

[Cyndi B.]

Next Springs project: Putting the awning "back on" and getting the truck and trailer communicating.

[Kip in Ga.]

Good replies. Thank you! Looks like Prodigy would be a better choice. Now to decide on the P2 or the P3, Or maybe the....!

Kip