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Old 12-16-2009, 08:48 PM   #1
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janetpowell
trailer brake controller---which type?

Howdy! We're back for advice from the wise ones. We got our new Dodge Ram, "Sassy Girl". We leave in less than a month for California. We need to have the trailer brake controller installed. In our truck on the left side of the dash is an area where the integrated brake controller would be for the 2500 and 3500 Rams. We are looking to have a controller custom fit into that location. The problem is our current controller has controlls on both the front and the bottom. I actually have two questions:
1. when buying a new controller, any recommendations?
2. any controller that would only have a front control that could be recessed into the dash.

Thanks!!! Janet and Fred Powell, Slippery Rock, PA
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Old 12-17-2009, 07:19 AM   #2
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See JohnB's post below.
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Old 12-17-2009, 10:43 AM   #3
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I have the Prodigy and find it works quite well. I set it once a few years ago and still find it in perfect adjustment.
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Old 12-17-2009, 12:45 PM   #4
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It's been a long time since I've looked at a P3, but I seem to remember the screen on the front was more vertical than the Prodigy. Most all brake controllers have to have some sort of manual lever, or at least you want it to have that, so if the controller is any kind of complex one with digital adjustments, the lever will be on the bottom which will interfere. A P3 might stick out less than some others though. I would go to an RV dealer and ask if you can lay a couple out on the counter and take some measurements of them, and then go out to the truck and see which one fits best.

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Old 12-17-2009, 07:55 PM   #5
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Hi Janet

They actually use to make a very good brake controller that would mount like you wanted. The Jordan Controller. I have one still in the shed. I had it in my Suburban. And one other guy on RV.net mounted in the dash of his Chevy where the 4 x 4 button would be since he had only 2 wheel drive.

Camco bought out Jordan and then was suppose to be redesigning it to make it better. Why?? Those of us who have one are clueless on why they stopped making a very good product while trying to upgrade it. Seel the version that is already on the market until the new one is ready. Last I knew they had suspended all research on it, however I just checked and it is on there web site.

http://www.camco.net/Menu.cfm?SupCat...ProductId=2575

These folks use to sell the Jordan a lot. But there site says it is still out of stock. So I don’t know the latest.

http://www.bestbrakecontroller.com/

However these guys have them for sale. And a lot cheaper then I paid for mine now, 5 years ago. I would call them to make sure it is still offered. It might be. With 2 to 4 weeks delivery that may be making them for each sale???

http://www.pipstore.com/shop/view_B0024E6Z0Y.html

If it is the true Jordan, it is a very good controller. However it will take someone to mount it. It has a cable that connects to the brake pedal which is where it gets it proportioning from.

Here is mine on my Suburban.






In searching here is one from Hensley Mfr. It is one of the higher end models and reported to be good. It has front mounted controls. Cost, $347.00 plus freight.

http://www.brake-controller.com/brak..._features.html

And a quick hit here, this P3 is front mounted controls I do believe. Ypu might have to make a specail holding brackt to mount it into the dash. Part of it may stick out a small amount. I have bought from these folks and had good experiences. They are about and hour from us.

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...l-17-0090.html

Where ever you mount it, it need to be in quick reach of the driver like instinct. You have no time to be fiddling looking for it when a sway event is upon you. Need to look straight ahead, hold the wheel and find that brake controller manual button instantly with the other hand.

Good luck and hope this helps

John

PS which ever one you get, make sure it is a proportional controller. Not a time based controller.
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Old 12-18-2009, 06:38 PM   #6
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Here are a couple of pictures I took today of the P3 in my Toyota 4Runner. They may help you decide if the P3 would be usable in your truck. There was no place in the dash so I mounted it on the fuse cover to the left of the steering wheel. The setup (gain and boost) is all done with the buttons on the front but once I had it setup I haven't changed it in 2 years. The manual lever is under the unit so if it is mounted in a dash opening you need to allow for that and it would have to stick out from the dash to operate the lever. I use that lever every time I leave home or a campground, while rolling about 5 mph I operate the lever (a little bit) to make sure everything is working right.

About 4 inches wide and needs about 2 inches height.


From a normal sitting position my hand can find the lever without looking.
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Old 12-19-2009, 03:53 PM   #7
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brake controller

thanks for the responses. Again, so many choices, so many options. I am thinking we can mount a new proportional controller in the space where the integrated brake controller should be, then get a custom faceplate. We moved up to comfy bucket seats, so we don't want the controller bumping our legs when driving. Thanks!!!
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Old 01-08-2010, 12:11 PM   #8
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Controller

To conclude our search question. We settled on the Tekonsha P3 brake controller. We installed it in the hole where the Dodge Integrated Brake controller would be in the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. As you can see by the pictures, it looks quite close to factory installed.



next step, remove the cover from the camper that has over a foot of snow on it, then adjust the controller and have the camper inspected for our trip to California, Jan. 18th. No challenge there!
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Old 01-08-2010, 01:28 PM   #9
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Hi Janet,

That looks very nice! I'm sure you will be happy with the P3. Was that just a flat panel before or did they have some sort of compartment hole there?

I think the error you have with the picture is there shouldn't be spaces between the link and the [img] tags.



Jon
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Old 01-08-2010, 03:36 PM   #10
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Brake Controller

Thanks Jon,
That fixed my picture issue. Next I'll shrink it a bit more.
There was a small cubby in the panel that would have held the factory brake controller if we were able to obtain one. Rumor has it next year they will offer it in the 2010. But, we are set with what we have, so it won't matter to us.
Have a great day! Janet
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