Brake controller

[PLJ]

I have a friend who is shipping around for brake controllers. He will be pulling a dual axle 14ft enclosed trailer, stocked with camping equipment for our youth club. Currently he is looking at this item on ebay TAP IMPULSE #37865 FORD Brake Controller (item number 4580956697. Would he be better off with a Prodigy? He will pull the trailer with a full sized Ford Van. Any other recommendatios on brake controller. As we'll be transporting kids in the van then want to make sure all is safe!

thanks for the replies

[wavery]

I have a friend who is shipping around for brake controllers. He will be pulling a dual axle 14ft enclosed trailer, stocked with camping equipment for our youth club. Currently he is looking at this item on ebay TAP IMPULSE #37865 FORD Brake Controller (item number 4580956697. Would he be better off with a Prodigy? He will pull the trailer with a full sized Ford Van. Any other recommendatios on brake controller. As we'll be transporting kids in the van then want to make sure all is safe!

thanks for the replies

I originally had that brake controller. I changed to the Prodigy (because of recommendations from PUT members) and I'm very happy with it.

That impulse controller was a real pain because I had to keep adjusting it for driving conditions. If I had it set for highway driving, it was very jarring in stop & go traffic so I would turn it down. Often times, I would forget to turn it back up when I got back to highway speeds. I never have to touch the Prodigy so I find that it is much safer.

[AustinBoston]

TAP IMPULSE #37865 FORD Brake Controller

That is a timer-based controller.  He will never get it adjusted right (because it can't be).  Timer based controllers were developed in the 1950's, and were the best deal when there was nothing else.

IMNSHO, they should be outlawed.

Another vote for the Tekonsha Prodigy (or P3, which I think is the current encarnation).  I have never heard of anyone being disappointed with their Prodigy.

Austin

[brainpause]

Would he be better off with a Prodigy?

Yes.

Larry

[Hackker]

I changed to the Prodigy (because of recommendations from PUT members) and I'm very happy with it.

Thats what I went with for the same reason.  Dealer wanted to stick a el-cheapo unit int, but I got them to use the Prodigy for the same price.

[ldgregory]

Would he be better off with a Prodigy? He will pull the trailer with a full sized Ford Van.

Just on the off chance you needed just one more vote for the Prodigy to push you over, go for it. It's a great and very configurable brake controller and they're even offering a $20 rebate on the Prodigy since the P3 came out. That means you can get it *and* the pigtail for all of about $90.

Leif

[PLJ]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll put him on the right path  

[curryp]

At the Bargain Hunter Emporioum forum on here is a post for a $20 rebate on a Tekonsha Prodigy at etrailer.com.  Now that the P3 is out the price on the Prodigy has come down quite a bit. I bought a used one on eBay for $80 - should have waited.  :eyecrazy: