So I just bought myself a 16ft. flatbed trailer with brakes, but I don't have the necessary plug connector on my truck to use the brake lights and I figure since I don't have the necessary plug I might as well install a brake controller as well.

First question,"What kind of cash am I going to be looking at spending for this thing?"

Second question, "How hard is it to install this stuff?"

Third Question, "What sort of plugs and controllers do you recommend?"

The short list, popular choice is a Tekonsha Prodigy. About $100-135, mostly plug and play depending on vehicle.

I've had two or three others, they all worked good enough and were cheaper. I've had a Prodigy for over a year now and still havn't hooked it up--just because I've been too lazy. Not to mention I've pulled my trailer with my FIL's F250 that already has the Ford integrated one than with any of my own trucks...


None of them are harder to hook up than a car stereo or alarm. Pretty basic wiring actually.

1) A Tekonsha Prodigy + a full vehicle wiring harness (assuming that it's not pre-wired from the factory) and plugs and misc junk, I'd budget $250 for parts

2) If you've never done it before, it may take you half a day with plenty of beer breaks while doing it all, and finishing up with a nice clean installation. A couple of hours if you're fast, have done it before, and have all the tools and pieces close at hand If your truck is pre-wired, it may take you longer to find a place to mount the controller than to fiddle with any of the wiring. 20 minutes tops.

3) Tekonsha Prodigy, hands down is the finest I've ever owned or used. Plugs - I'd spring for the metal bodied ones, they're still not expensive, or the high impact poly bodied plugs work well too. Be aware of the cheap, breakable plastic bodied plugs, they suck, and it's a miserable damn mess when they break on a trip. A quick call to Trailer Guy can probably get you a package on the doorstep with everything you need in short order. There are also other online retailers like e-trailer.com and brakecontroller.com

There is a big thread about installing a controller at the top of this forum.

Trailerguy hook me up with a p3 controller. been reading on it and stuff and looks like a great product. I got a harness and it was a pluged rigth in to my ford. ill would give him a call and see if he has one........



Eric

I have the Prodigy also. I love it, there's no way in hell I would ever tow with a cheap controller again.

Another vote for a Prodigy. I've got one, my brother & Dad also have them. Dad's rig grosses up to 36,000 lbs. (Dodge 3500 dually w/ 28' gooseneck,) with no issues at all.

A Prodigy doesn't work so well with liquid loads, like an unbaffled tanker, or on surfaces with widely changing traction such as frost covered. For those, I'd consider either a Jordan, or a BrakeSmart (assuming you can FIND one.)

Here's another for the prodigy. I love it. I just got back from a tow down the mountains from my house to the DMV with the jeep, and it worked great AGAIN. I would go prodigy. As far as hooking it up, I'm with Fyrman on this one..
Scott

First question,"What kind of cash am I going to be looking at spending for this thing?"

Second question, "How hard is it to install this stuff?"

Third Question, "What sort of plugs and controllers do you recommend?"
1) My list: $120 brake controller; $25 outlet (where trailer plugs in to); $40 harness; $10 various wires and shrink wrap connectors
2) It took me a full day but I was helping a friend with tranny work at the same time. If I was focused I think it would have been about 1/2 day. I had to run lines to get power to the controller and trailer, which takes time to route, wrap in corrugated covering, etc.
3) I've only used the prodigy. I choose it based on research on pirate and other places. Trailerguy says there is a new one that's even better but I forgot the name.

Trailerguy says there is a new one that's even better but I forgot the name.

P3. About $50 more than the Prodigy, and worth every penny.

I've got the P3 in my truck right now. I would like to finish my review of it, but I don't feel that I've towed enough in the mountains yet. I'm heading to Moon Rocks over Mem. weekend, and after those hills, the review will be complete. As of now, the P3 is by far the best controller that I've had in the truck, and that is saying something. I change controllers as fast as TacomaJoe95 stacks rocks. (yeah, I went there) And with 205,000 miles with well over 150,000 miles towing with the same truck, I have no problem knowing if the controller is working or not.

Oh, and so everyone knows.......fj40forlife got the one that I was going to do a giveaway for. Now everyone will have to wait until after the review is complete.:D

I've got the P3 in my truck right now. I would like to finish my review of it, but I don't feel that I've towed enough in the mountains yet. I'm heading to Moon Rocks over Mem. weekend, and after those hills, the review will be complete. As of now, the P3 is by far the best controller that I've had in the truck, and that is saying something. I change controllers as fast as TacomaJoe95 stacks rocks. (yeah, I went there) And with 205,000 miles with well over 150,000 miles towing with the same truck, I have no problem knowing if the controller is working or not.


My last 2 trucks had a Prodigy, and I was happy with it. What makes the P3 better?

My last 2 trucks had a Prodigy, and I was happy with it. What makes the P3 better?

It is compatible with the electric-over-hydraulic brake systems. It is also very smooth in opperation (yes, smoother than the Prodigy), has a much nicer display, with a color change background that makes it much easier to read. The display also shows you the trailer relation size to the truck when you switch the boost settings. It also has a nice reverse setting so that the brakes don't work at all when you are backing up (only does that when you turn that function on). Is it worth the extra money? I guess that depends on the person. But right now, the Prodigy, and the Odyssey will not be seen back in my truck.

We have started moving the P3 also, although I have not used one. FYI, there is apparently some kind of parts shortage on the P3. Something to do with the LCD screens. That's ok though, we have so many, our suppliers may be coming to us to buy them back. :D

Does the p3 plug into the prodigy harness/holder deal, or does it all have to be swapped?

Does the p3 plug into the prodigy harness/holder deal, or does it all have to be swapped?

Wire harness is the same. The slip in bracket is different, but the standard metal bracket looks to be the same.