Review of the P3 brake controller

[jrb19]

Initial thoughts on the P3:

After reading over the accolades the Prodigy has gotten from several sites on the web.  And viewing the video I knew that I would go with a Tekonsha product.  I bought the P3 off of EBay for a few $$ more than the Prodigy.  I figured I could not go wrong.

After figuring out where to install it, I needed to figure out how to hook it up.  Our T&C did not come with tow prep so no easy plug and play option.  Searched and searched but could not find the cold side of the brake switch.  So I caved and took it in to shop to have it wired properly.  After getting over the $$ shock, and got the TV home I hooked up to the PUP.  

Setup with this thing is a breeze; the on screen menus, color selection, and clear error codes are awesome.  Braking is now a pleasure, and done with authority and worry free for those panic situations.  I do not plan on reducing my following distance but in those situations where others around me close the gap I feel much more confident in my ability to slow things down.  My only real complaint is where I have the controller installed I do have glare, and this does make the screen difficult to see at times.  So for those of you that have the Prodigy and preach it superiority, I thank each of you.  I personally would suggest that the P3 should come first on the list then a Prodigy.  

Just last week I was talking to my parts manager/dealer.  He showed me the memo from Tekonsha.  As they cannot keep up with demand, all retailer are pretty much authorized to discount/sale all of the other controllers.  What anyone has in stock will probably be all they will have for the season.

[AustinBoston]

Just last week I was talking to my parts manager/dealer.  He showed me the memo from Tekonsha.  As they cannot keep up with demand, all retailer are pretty much authorized to discount/sale all of the other controllers.  What anyone has in stock will probably be all they will have for the season.

Build a better mousetrap...

Austin

[beacher]

Oooooo! Ahhhh!  Just visited the Tekonsha website and downloader the brochure, (being that I had never heard of a P3).  That color display is cool!

Maybe I can sell my used Prodigy on Ebay!  Anybody know the trade-in value of a pre-owned Prodigy in excellent condition!!

Hmmmm?  Nada guide?

[Morin]

Hey - thanks for the great review!

[wareagle]

I am ready to purchase the P3 but I still have one question that I can not find the answer to.  I have a steep, narrow, gravel drive way that I plan to back our Jayco 1206 down; will the P3 apply the trailer brakes while I am slowly reversing down a hill?  The TV is a 1500 HD silverado 4x4 or our Tahoe.  Thanks in advance, any help would be appreciated.

[AustinBoston]

I am ready to purchase the P3 but I still have one question that I can not find the answer to.  I have a steep, narrow, gravel drive way that I plan to back our Jayco 1206 down; will the P3 apply the trailer brakes while I am slowly reversing down a hill?  The TV is a 1500 HD silverado 4x4 or our Tahoe.  Thanks in advance, any help would be appreciated.

I would assume it would; the Prodigy that it is based on works equally forward and back.

Austin

[harleywolf]

I have heard and read all about the Prodigy and P3 and admit I

[curryp]

Oooooo! Ahhhh!  Just visited the Tekonsha website and downloader the brochure, (being that I had never heard of a P3).  That color display is cool!

Maybe I can sell my used Prodigy on Ebay!  Anybody know the trade-in value of a pre-owned Prodigy in excellent condition!!

Hmmmm?  Nada guide?

Early this spring I bought a used Prodigy off eBay for $80 that was in excellent shape and has been serving me great. However, I think that was just before the P3 came on the market. So the price of a used Prodigy has probably declined since then. You could do a search for the Prodigy on eBay to see what people are asking.

[harleywolf]

So to answer my own question, I learned from a fellow NorCal Campers member this weekend that the big difference between my controller (and all the other ones out there) is that the Prodigy

[Mike Up]

I had the Draw Tite Activator 2 and wasn't very happy with it after I figured out how I had to use it.
 
The time delay is a joke. There really isn't any delay because it happens so fast. So it can go to max in 2 seconds at the longest delay. That's only 2 seconds when I'm trying to slow gradually. I ended up glazing my trailer brakes using it. Caused from having a setting of 2.5 volts, and using it on town roads. The brakes were to strong and the vehicle was actually pulling through the camper's breaking. However, I had to have at least 2.5 Volts to stop the trailer.
 
The 2.5 Volts was a middle of the road setting for both highway and town, but eventually bit me, glazing the brakes in town driving.
 
After I got rid of the truck the activator was installed in (I didn't want the activator so I let it go with the truck. It was hardwired anyhow) , I bought the Prodigy and can't say enough praise about it. It's plug and play. No more jerking with awesome highway and town braking.
 
Looks like the P3 is basically a Prodigy with a diagnosis screen on it for current, voltage, and other things. Don't think I'd want to get rid of my awesome Prodigy for some added, none essential toys.
 
Have a good one.

[chasd60]

Great Review.

P3 can be found here for $127.90
http://www.accessconnect.com/brake_controller_by_hidden_hitch.htm