PRODIGY is the way to go.. - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

SolidAxleDurango · 02-28-2004, 04:36 PM

That's right folks... A Tekonsha PRODIGY brake controller for towing.

I've read about these on all the RV forums, and the reviews have been great.

Now that I've got the Ram 2500, I needed to get a brake controller and decided to see what all the hooplah was about. Well they're right. This thing friggen rocks. I will never go back to any other type of brake controller again.

For those of you familiar with brake controllers and towing, you know there are two settings you adjust: 1) the maximum amount of brake you want; and 2) the rate at which the brakes are applied.

The problem with this is the fact that every single stopping scenario is not the same. In some cases you want to "cover" the brake pedal and take a long slow stop... In other cases you want an abrupt, smart stop. Normal controllers can't handle this. They only work like you pre-set them. The only time a normal brake controller operates smoothly is when (and IF) you press the brake pedal, and you come to a stop at the EXACT same moment that the brake controller reaches maximum stopping setting. Otherwise you end up lifting the brake pedal and re-applying - creating a ton of jerking/lurching. This annoying behavior is most common when doing ANY (and ALL) in-town driving or ANY kind of backing/parking maneuvers.

Hows the Prodigy better? The only setting you give it is the maximum braking force you'd want it to apply. This will of course change as you change your trailer or load. Once set, you're done. It uses decelleromoters that use inertia to determine both how much and how quickly the trailer brakes are applied. In essence, it's a seemless integration with the vehicle brakes...

I cant' be happier!!!!

SolidAxleDurango · 02-28-2004, 04:37 PM

Oh.. and "Why?" you ask didn't I get one of these for the Durango in the first place?

Well, the average run-of-the-mill brake controller is about $80 retail. The Prodigy retails for $140-$160. I thought for sure what I got for the Durango was "good enough".

Fork that.. I was wrong. Prodigy all the way baby.

fabricator · 02-28-2004, 04:43 PM

104 bucks HERE

SolidAxleDurango · 02-28-2004, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fabricator
104 bucks HERE

I Ebay'ed it for 103 + shipping... Initial sticker-shock kept me from "shopping around" eons ago when I outfitted the Durango. Now me know better.

robobx · 02-28-2004, 05:21 PM

there was a post on here a few months ago that had them for like $85 or so through amazon I think. got mine on my 03 2500 and it truly is awesome, I don't know how I towed as many miles with no controller as I did

Supergper · 02-28-2004, 08:35 PM

I got one from teh amazon deal, its in my 99 F350...I have yet to use it though because my trailer doesn't have brakes yet

good to hear it works so well

The Jerk · 02-28-2004, 10:44 PM

old tow rig + cool crusier on cool trailer = stopping a must. i have one and it is sweet. also know 2 others with it and they wouldnt buy anything else.

jiMMy

64Trvlr · 03-21-2004, 07:44 PM

Count me in too. I have one and it's the best controller I've ever used.

ChiXJeff · 03-22-2004, 07:46 AM

My Dad & brother have 2 Prodigy controllers on the farm. One is on a 24' gooseneck, the other is on a 16' tiltbed.

The gooseneck (double axle, dual tires) hauls cherries in the summer for 3 weeks solid, gross weight on the rig is almost 32,000 lbs. The Prodigy works awesome on it.

ChiXJeff

SanDiegoCJ · 03-22-2004, 09:59 AM

I have one on my '03 RAM3500. Excellent controller.

YJ4RoX · 03-22-2004, 11:10 AM

I just put one in my 98 ram 2500, i LOVE it. You can barely tell the trailer is back there when coming to a stop. Brakes on both axles help too.

Prodigy all the way!

BarrelRoll · 03-22-2004, 11:22 AM

Sounds like it's the way to go. I had a real cheep auto zone one that took a dump and now have a voyager. If i ever buy another one i guess i'll spring for a prodigy.

BarrelRoll

TornadoTJ · 03-22-2004, 11:24 AM

Yup, had mine about 6 months now, by far the best. And I agree with the above, it works great with 4 wheel brakes.

Mechanos · 03-22-2004, 01:07 PM

I have one on order now..... I had a decent one from Redline, but it got douched with Coke since it was mounted directly underneath the cup launcher in my '96 Ram. It still worked, but the slides were all sticky and wouldn't move freely. I tried to take apart to clean it, but busted the case all up trying to get it apart. Searched around and found the Prodigy on sale for $106 w/ free shipping. Should be here in a day or two.

TornadoTJ · 03-22-2004, 01:23 PM

[hijack]
Damn I hated the cup holders in my '96. Cops could see my beer.
[/hijack]

Haole · 03-22-2004, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fabricator
104 bucks HERE

Guess you like paying an extra $20. Dude on Amazon.com auctions is selling them for $82.99.

fabricator · 03-23-2004, 01:54 AM

don't be shy old boy...... post a link !

rockcrawler304 · 03-23-2004, 12:26 PM

Excellent info and answered my questions...Now I know what I am buying.

m-class · 03-23-2004, 10:25 PM

Just ordered mine from Amazon, $91.99 shipped ups. Hopefully will get it soon

fj40charles · 03-24-2004, 01:15 PM

Got mine on Amazon some time ago.... Best brake controller I've ever used. I had to stop really fast on the highway once, and I noticed that I was able to lock up the trailer tires while braking really hard. My old controller would not worked this way. IMHO, everything else is junk.

Haole · 03-24-2004, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fabricator
don't be shy old boy...... post a link !

Search! It's already in this forum. That's where I found it.

Mechanos · 03-24-2004, 09:17 PM

My Prodigy showed up today.... it took longer for me to decided exactly where to mount it than it did for me to actually install it. Once I settled on a spot, it was just a matter of drilling two holes, mounting the pocket and plugging in the harness to the under-dash connector and plugging the other end into the controller. Took maybe 5 minutes to install....

bigNATE® · 03-25-2004, 01:02 AM

wow that guy on amazon is selling them cheaper then allowed

hell my cost as a dealer is $94 and change and thats if I tak 10 units

people like him put the small guys out of business

FYRMAN · 03-25-2004, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigNATE®
wow that guy on amazon is selling them cheaper then allowed hell my cost as a dealer is $94 and change and thats if I tak 10 units

people like him put the small guys out of business

No shit....

My cost is $119.

Dust Puppy · 04-01-2004, 08:27 PM

im picking up my trailer next week and im now looking at controllers but i really dont know what im looking at from one to another.

The sticker shock got me too when i was looking around but it seems it can be found at a decent price.

anyone have any more suggestions?

thanks

DP

02-28-2004, 04:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
SolidAxleDurango Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13384 Location: BVille, Ok Posts: 1,542	PRODIGY is the way to go.. That's right folks... A Tekonsha PRODIGY brake controller for towing. I've read about these on all the RV forums, and the reviews have been great. Now that I've got the Ram 2500, I needed to get a brake controller and decided to see what all the hooplah was about. Well they're right. This thing friggen rocks. I will never go back to any other type of brake controller again. For those of you familiar with brake controllers and towing, you know there are two settings you adjust: 1) the maximum amount of brake you want; and 2) the rate at which the brakes are applied. The problem with this is the fact that every single stopping scenario is not the same. In some cases you want to "cover" the brake pedal and take a long slow stop... In other cases you want an abrupt, smart stop. Normal controllers can't handle this. They only work like you pre-set them. The only time a normal brake controller operates smoothly is when (and IF) you press the brake pedal, and you come to a stop at the EXACT same moment that the brake controller reaches maximum stopping setting. Otherwise you end up lifting the brake pedal and re-applying - creating a ton of jerking/lurching. This annoying behavior is most common when doing ANY (and ALL) in-town driving or ANY kind of backing/parking maneuvers. Hows the Prodigy better? The only setting you give it is the maximum braking force you'd want it to apply. This will of course change as you change your trailer or load. Once set, you're done. It uses decelleromoters that use inertia to determine both how much and how quickly the trailer brakes are applied. In essence, it's a seemless integration with the vehicle brakes... I cant' be happier!!!! __________________ 08 Kawasaki ATVs / 07 SeaDoos <- we ride / 07 Ram <- we pull / 12 Keystone Avalanche <- We sleep

02-28-2004, 04:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
SolidAxleDurango Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13384 Location: BVille, Ok Posts: 1,542	Oh.. and "Why?" you ask didn't I get one of these for the Durango in the first place? Well, the average run-of-the-mill brake controller is about $80 retail. The Prodigy retails for $140-$160. I thought for sure what I got for the Durango was "good enough". Fork that.. I was wrong. Prodigy all the way baby. __________________ 08 Kawasaki ATVs / 07 SeaDoos <- we ride / 07 Ram <- we pull / 12 Keystone Avalanche <- We sleep

02-28-2004, 05:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
robobx Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 6906 Location: central NC Posts: 279	there was a post on here a few months ago that had them for like $85 or so through amazon I think. got mine on my 03 2500 and it truly is awesome, I don't know how I towed as many miles with no controller as I did __________________ 99TJ sport, 5.5" RE long arm, dual detroit locked 44's, flipped d300 w/4:1, 37" MT/Rs 03 Ram, HO cummins, 6spd,quad cab, rhino, Edge EZ,AFE PG7 intake,375 HP,775ft lbs torque:P 03 Jetta TDI carolina 4x4 parts www.4by4parts.com

02-28-2004, 08:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Supergper Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2159 Location: SLC, Utah Posts: 2,898	I got one from teh amazon deal, its in my 99 F350...I have yet to use it though because my trailer doesn't have brakes yet good to hear it works so well __________________ -Caleb Call

02-28-2004, 10:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Jerk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 107 Location: Pollock Pines Ca Posts: 14,135	old tow rig + cool crusier on cool trailer = stopping a must. i have one and it is sweet. also know 2 others with it and they wouldnt buy anything else. jiMMy __________________ RockZombie:68FJ40 LPG350/sm420/d300/d60/d70

02-28-2004, 04:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
fabricator Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10379 Location: cinti , ohio Posts: 2,533	104 bucks HERE

03-22-2004, 07:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
ChiXJeff Granite Guru Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5943 Location: Southeastern MN. (formerly near Chicago, I've ESCAPED!) Posts: 981	My Dad & brother have 2 Prodigy controllers on the farm. One is on a 24' gooseneck, the other is on a 16' tiltbed. The gooseneck (double axle, dual tires) hauls cherries in the summer for 3 weeks solid, gross weight on the rig is almost 32,000 lbs. The Prodigy works awesome on it. ChiXJeff

03-22-2004, 09:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
SanDiegoCJ Non-Lemming Join Date: May 2000 Member # 840 Location: Ramona Posts: 16,253	I have one on my '03 RAM3500. Excellent controller.

03-22-2004, 11:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
YJ4RoX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1930 Location: Leon, WV Posts: 3,260	I just put one in my 98 ram 2500, i LOVE it. You can barely tell the trailer is back there when coming to a stop. Brakes on both axles help too. Prodigy all the way!

03-22-2004, 11:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
TornadoTJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3893 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,078	Yup, had mine about 6 months now, by far the best. And I agree with the above, it works great with 4 wheel brakes. __________________ '97 TJ - D60 Ford Front, D60 E350 rear, build is going slowly... '06 Dodge CTD 4x4 QuadCab

03-22-2004, 01:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mechanos Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6704 Location: Roosterville, Missouri Posts: 6,986	I have one on order now..... I had a decent one from Redline, but it got douched with Coke since it was mounted directly underneath the cup launcher in my '96 Ram. It still worked, but the slides were all sticky and wouldn't move freely. I tried to take apart to clean it, but busted the case all up trying to get it apart. Searched around and found the Prodigy on sale for $106 w/ free shipping. Should be here in a day or two. __________________ It's IHeavy aka TORC KC0UIC -.- -.-. ----- ..- .. -.-. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

03-22-2004, 01:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
TornadoTJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3893 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,078	[hijack] Damn I hated the cup holders in my '96. Cops could see my beer. [/hijack] __________________ '97 TJ - D60 Ford Front, D60 E350 rear, build is going slowly... '06 Dodge CTD 4x4 QuadCab

03-23-2004, 01:54 AM	#17 (permalink)
fabricator Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10379 Location: cinti , ohio Posts: 2,533	don't be shy old boy...... post a link !

03-23-2004, 12:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
rockcrawler304 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5601 Location: Far West El Paso Texas Posts: 609	Excellent info and answered my questions...Now I know what I am buying. __________________ 06 Dodge Mega Cab 2500 4x4 CTD 325/610 6spd hand shaker, Smarty tuned!

03-23-2004, 10:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
m-class Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19949 Location: NW Washington Posts: 71	Just ordered mine from Amazon, $91.99 shipped ups. Hopefully will get it soon

03-24-2004, 01:15 PM	#20 (permalink)
fj40charles Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1926 Location: Dallas, TX USA Posts: 3,254	Got mine on Amazon some time ago.... Best brake controller I've ever used. I had to stop really fast on the highway once, and I noticed that I was able to lock up the trailer tires while braking really hard. My old controller would not worked this way. IMHO, everything else is junk. __________________ '69 FJ40 with very few stock parts. 2000 Cummins with some goodies to make it smoke..... Trail Gear's Bad Ethics=Bad Business.

03-24-2004, 09:17 PM	#22 (permalink)
Mechanos Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6704 Location: Roosterville, Missouri Posts: 6,986	My Prodigy showed up today.... it took longer for me to decided exactly where to mount it than it did for me to actually install it. Once I settled on a spot, it was just a matter of drilling two holes, mounting the pocket and plugging in the harness to the under-dash connector and plugging the other end into the controller. Took maybe 5 minutes to install.... __________________ It's IHeavy aka TORC KC0UIC -.- -.-. ----- ..- .. -.-. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

03-25-2004, 01:02 AM	#23 (permalink)
bigNATE® Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8730 Location: hell Posts: 691	wow that guy on amazon is selling them cheaper then allowed hell my cost as a dealer is $94 and change and thats if I tak 10 units people like him put the small guys out of business __________________ [QUOTE=ScottFJ40] With a face like that, she better piss 100 year old scotch, and fart sunshine. [/QUOTE]

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