For those who tow car trailers...lets talk about brake controllers: Prodigy

s4wood · 05-04-2002, 08:27 AM

I just got the Prodigy unit...and will get it installed early next week. Price was good..only $125 delivered to my door. It is the electronic type...not the mechanical type.

Anybody familiar with this unit?

BTW, I got it from http://www.brakecontroller.com
(imagine that?)

Mark Dalen · 05-05-2002, 05:06 PM

Not Prodigy (don't recall what brand) and hated it. It only had adjustment for delay and strength. If I set if for highway, it applied way too much brake at low speed. Always had to fiddle with it and even then, the engagement never felt right.

I switched to Jordon, which connects to brake pedal. Set it once and never need to mess around with it. Hopefully what you bought has an inertia switch, so it can vary the amount of current to the brakes.

John/TSR · 05-06-2002, 09:00 AM

Tekonsha Voyager. The inertial capability of a electro-mechanical unit is very important, especially if you tow in mixed environments (75mph highway & 25mph traffic).

I had a new Draw-Tite electronic unit, and I hated it enough to rip it out and swap the old Tekonsha from my old GMC van to the Diesel "Son of White Whale".

Heard good things about Jordan, but have always been too cheap to buy one.

Important lesson to remember: Trailer brakes aren't self-adjusting. They don't work for **** if you haven't adjusted them regularly, and properly. Do yourself a favor and learn how to adjust the drums, and pull the bearings and brakes apart at least once a year for a little TLC.

Wow. Two stern-sounding lectures in one day. Could it be I'm cranky from the weekend ?

s4wood · 05-06-2002, 09:10 AM

Mark Dalen · 05-06-2002, 10:56 AM

That is what I had - it SUCKED. Pulled it out after a couple of weeks. I have heard good things about the Tekonsha.

John, Did you have a bad weekend (Nomex ON)?

Mark Dalen · 05-06-2002, 10:59 AM

There is always a thread about brake controllers here. Favorites seem to be Tekonsha and Jordan.

Ford Diesel Towing Forum

Bryce · 05-08-2002, 03:32 PM

Skymaster · 04-03-2003, 01:47 PM

I am looking for a brake controller. I have been recommended the Tekonsha Prodigy. Does anyone have personal experience with this unit?

05-04-2002, 08:27 AM	#1
s4wood Member Account #: 665 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 26,591	For those who tow car trailers...lets talk about brake controllers: Prodigy I just got the Prodigy unit...and will get it installed early next week. Price was good..only $125 delivered to my door. It is the electronic type...not the mechanical type. Anybody familiar with this unit? BTW, I got it from http://www.brakecontroller.com (imagine that?) __________________ Steve S RIP O.W.Kenobi current cars: 07 BMW 335i Sedan - Morr Alloy VS7 forged wheels/Goodyear F1-D3/Bilstein PSS9 coilovers/Ultimate Racing catback/Alcon 4pot 365mm brake kit 90 Mazda Miata - commuter car previous Audis (in reverse order): 05 A4 1.8TQM - Dolphin Gray (Audiworld Project Car) 01 S4 - Laser Red 99 A4 1.8TQM - Aluminum Silver 00 A4 1.8TQM - Volcano Black 01 S4 Avant - Laser Red 83 4000E - Beige Metallic 00 S4 - Nogaro Blue 97 A4 2.8QM - Laser Red

05-05-2002, 05:06 PM	#2
Mark Dalen Junior Member Account #: 12846 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 583	I had an electronic unit. Not Prodigy (don't recall what brand) and hated it. It only had adjustment for delay and strength. If I set if for highway, it applied way too much brake at low speed. Always had to fiddle with it and even then, the engagement never felt right. I switched to Jordon, which connects to brake pedal. Set it once and never need to mess around with it. Hopefully what you bought has an inertia switch, so it can vary the amount of current to the brakes.

05-06-2002, 09:00 AM	#3
John/TSR AudiWorld Super User Account #: 749 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 5,181	Brake controllers ? Tekonsha Voyager. The inertial capability of a electro-mechanical unit is very important, especially if you tow in mixed environments (75mph highway & 25mph traffic). I had a new Draw-Tite electronic unit, and I hated it enough to rip it out and swap the old Tekonsha from my old GMC van to the Diesel "Son of White Whale". Heard good things about Jordan, but have always been too cheap to buy one. Important lesson to remember: Trailer brakes aren't self-adjusting. They don't work for **** if you haven't adjusted them regularly, and properly. Do yourself a favor and learn how to adjust the drums, and pull the bearings and brakes apart at least once a year for a little TLC. Wow. Two stern-sounding lectures in one day. Could it be I'm cranky from the weekend ?

05-06-2002, 09:10 AM	#4
s4wood Member Account #: 665 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 26,591	My controller is a Tekonsha Prodigy __________________ Steve S RIP O.W.Kenobi current cars: 07 BMW 335i Sedan - Morr Alloy VS7 forged wheels/Goodyear F1-D3/Bilstein PSS9 coilovers/Ultimate Racing catback/Alcon 4pot 365mm brake kit 90 Mazda Miata - commuter car previous Audis (in reverse order): 05 A4 1.8TQM - Dolphin Gray (Audiworld Project Car) 01 S4 - Laser Red 99 A4 1.8TQM - Aluminum Silver 00 A4 1.8TQM - Volcano Black 01 S4 Avant - Laser Red 83 4000E - Beige Metallic 00 S4 - Nogaro Blue 97 A4 2.8QM - Laser Red

05-06-2002, 10:56 AM	#5
Mark Dalen Junior Member Account #: 12846 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 583	Draw Tite That is what I had - it SUCKED. Pulled it out after a couple of weeks. I have heard good things about the Tekonsha. John, Did you have a bad weekend (Nomex ON)?

05-06-2002, 10:59 AM	#6
Mark Dalen Junior Member Account #: 12846 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 583	Web site There is always a thread about brake controllers here. Favorites seem to be Tekonsha and Jordan. Ford Diesel Towing Forum

05-08-2002, 03:32 PM	#7
Bryce Elder Member Account #: 1414 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 10,169	Ditto on the Voyager. Loved it. __________________ '01.5 S4 Avant gone but still have '82 4000S AWOT Braintrust #180 n00b index = 2.848507031 A.S.S. = Association of S4's in Sacramento Pics of long ago Audi Events and Track/Auto-X days In a world filled with clueless sheep buying SUVs, minivans, and bland automotive appliances, I figure I must be doing something right if my car disturbs their delicate sensibilities. It's like a bright yellow one-finger salute as I pass and they become tiny specs in my rear view mirror. :)

04-03-2003, 01:47 PM	#8
Skymaster New Member Account #: 53985 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1	Re: Brake controllers ? I am looking for a brake controller. I have been recommended the Tekonsha Prodigy. Does anyone have personal experience with this unit?

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