Which Brake Controller do you use & why - Montana Owners Club

montanaman · 03-24-2007, 06:39 AM

Looking to replace my current brake controller that acts up after 500 miles on the road. The brakes start chattering and the red light on the controller would just keep flashing on and off. So want to replace the unit. What do you use and why do you like it? Also, want one that easy enough to use. Thanks.

ols1932 · 03-24-2007, 07:57 AM

You may have opened a can of worms here. Everyone that has a brake controller has the BEST one. I, like many others, have the Prodigy Controller. It's user friendly and works a whole lot better than the Kelsey I used to have.

Orv

bsmeaton · 03-24-2007, 08:42 AM

I just used the one I found installed in the dashboard. Seems to work fine.

Wrenchtraveller · 03-24-2007, 09:48 AM

Who ever makes the Ford built in controller did it right. It is the smoothest unit I have ever towed with. Some say it is a Prodigy built to Ford specs. From what I have read, the Prodigy is a good brake control and if I would have had to go to a bolt on unit, that is what I would have bought.

Ozzie · 03-24-2007, 09:59 AM

Prodigy here also - it is so simple and just plain works. Easy to adjust on the fly between in town and highway without losing the fine tune control.

Parrothead · 03-24-2007, 10:05 AM

Prodigy because that is what our RV Tech recommends. Easier to use that the previous one we had.
Happy trails......................

5rvers · 03-24-2007, 11:15 AM

I too have the Prodigy for the same reasons already mentioned above.

Lou

Cat320 · 03-24-2007, 02:17 PM

Prodigy for me too...works fine.

hookman · 03-24-2007, 02:43 PM

We use the Prodigy also you can drive the freeway then into a campground and don't get the chatter by a simple press of the button to lessen the braking

campbud · 03-24-2007, 03:05 PM

Prodigy here too.

stiles watson · 03-24-2007, 03:14 PM

I switched to Prodigy. It was recommended by this forum and RV techs. I found it on sale for about $100 off at PPL two years ago, so I installed it. Totally satisfied.

sreigle · 03-24-2007, 06:17 PM

I have the one built into the dash and nothing beats that. On prior trucks I used quite a number of different controllers and was never happy until I got the Prodigy. There are others probably just as good but those are much harder to install and require you tap into the brake line. The Prodigy may be plug and play, depending on your truck.

A friend who is also a member here told me yesterday he has a Prodigy for sale. It's either new or very close to new (I'd have to ask). I don't know what he wants for it. If interested, click the envelope icon above this post and send me your email address. I'll pass it along to him. He bought a new truck and it has a different controller in it.

happy campers · 03-25-2007, 03:14 AM

My vote is for the Prodigy as well. Been using it for nearly 3 years with no issues.

hazmic · 03-25-2007, 07:28 AM

I have BRAKE-SMART. Would not have anything else. I can't say how they measure up to the others. There are some that are better then others as you will find out. Do the research and make up your own mind. Good luck.

Delaine and Lindy · 03-25-2007, 08:06 AM

We have used the Prodigy on all four TV's and never had any problems, plug it in, set it and never have to touch it again. I pull several different trailers, 32' inclosed trailer and a 12 ton back-hoe/bull dozier type trailers and the prodigy takes care of business. For the price I think Prodigy is the best controler on the market today.......GBY.....

I have read some place that Prodigy makes the in-dash systems for Ford/GM............. I don't know that for a fact....???????

H. John Kohl · 03-25-2007, 08:20 AM

I went with the Jordon because it has a wire that connects to the brake peddle and has positive braking. Of the inertia ones I hear and this list confirms the Prodigy is the best. If I was doing it again and did not buy a Ford with it built in I would go with the Break Smart, Jacobs and then Prodigy.
I like the direct connection of the Brake Smart which is interfaced to your break line and senses the brake pressure. Next the Jordon . This unit does have an AMP meter instead of volt meter. If I see the Amps drop in number which happened, went from 9 to 7 I knew I had lost an electrical connection to one of my breaks. Yep found the busted wire the next day.
There is nothing wrong with prodigy from what I here. There you now have my opinion.
This web site shows you how the wire connection works.
http://www.bestbrakecontroller.com/index.html
Good luck

SlickWillie · 03-26-2007, 03:32 AM

Prodigy for us. Part of the deal we made on the fiver. Actually had a Hayes, but never did like it. It had a light for adjusting instead of volt meter. Never could tell if the light was dimmer or brighter.

black n black · 03-26-2007, 03:34 PM

"Brake Smart" been on my truck for three years and I love it.

MuddyPaws · 03-27-2007, 05:04 PM

I have a Jordan 2020. The stealership put in a Prodigy and after one jerky trip I tore it out & got a Jordan.

I've talked directly with Mr. Jordan himself and he went way out of his way to provide best-in-class customer support.

CanDo · 03-28-2007, 04:18 AM

I had a Prodigy but when I bought my 07 Dodge I bought and installed a BrakeSmart - best move ever! There is no adjustment required - ever! It does allow you to adjust the gain, but the factory settings have worked very well. When I brake when towing it is like the Monty isn't even there - I can not tell like I used to with the Prodigy. One word of caution - the BrakeSmart isn't cheap - $460 including shipping - but worth every penny IMHO!

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