Brake Controller (Tekonsha Voyager XP)

I have personally used the Tekonsha Sentinel and the Prodigy. I have one of each installed. The Prodigy is WELL worth the extra cash as it offers a very smooth stop, self levels, holds the trailer when stopped by applying a slight voltage, allows for an easily advanced voltage increase if the weight seems to be pushing during a stop, etc. They both do the job, but the Prodigy is super. I use it on a 2500HD Crew Cab long box pulling a 32' fifth-wheel.

Look around, you'll save on the Prodigy. I bought mine from an outfit in Texas as I recall.

Skip they Voyager. It is a good unit but is being replaced by they Envoy which is only a dollar or two more. I have the Voyager in my Suburban and the Envoy in the Excursion, both work fine and are almost the same unit. Got mine at the site below, they were a good price and shipped the same day for free. Make sure you run a wire directly from the battery to the brake controller then to the 7-wire connector. :-)

good luck, mark

envoy and voyager --->

--->

I might go with the Envoy, though I'm somewhat hesitant to limit myself to 2 axles... do I have to use the 7 wire connector? I've currently got the 6 wire connector on my truck.. I'm not really sure I need reverse lights on the trailer.

-Bret

Good question... I guess it depends on how the trailer is wired. The truck has to match the trailer. In honesty both are good controllers if you are hesitant then go with the XP or spend a little more and get the prodigy it is only a little less then $40 more. Remember get the proper controller you will be happy when that trailer starts pushing you down the back side of a nice steep Tenn. mountain.

mark

I don't see how people can put a low price on safety. I'm not saying you have to go out and spend a small fortune on the controller, but a $40 difference is nothing when it comes to safety. My dad uses this controller, it's REAL easy to set up, and he uses it in 2 different trucks with 2 trailers, so a possible four combinations of vehicle and trailer. He uses the same physical controller, it has a pocket you attach to the truck and quick-disonnect wiring to plug into the harness at one end and the controller at the other. Literally a 10 second job to swap it from one to the other.

I don't put a price on safety, however I don't have the $40 extra to pay for the prodigy. try moving a family of 4 1200 miles on your own dime.... that 40 bucks might be the last tank of fuel we need to get there.

so you're saying every brake controller in the world other than the Telonsha Prodigy is unsafe?

My dad uses this

I'm glad you like the unit, but I can't afford it.

-Bret

Brake controllers are an interesting thing. I have seen flame wars started over which controller was better. Some swear the Prodigy is the best, some say it is junk and the Jordan Ultima is the best while others say the BrakeSmart is the only way to go... Like I said in my original post they all do the job, just make sure to get one that is set up for the proper number of brake axles. If you are using a two axle horse trailer then you will have one or two brake axles so the Envoy would be ok but if you are concerned get the XP which will go up to 4. You may want to call around to your local hitch or trailer dealers, you may be able to pick up one used. If you are interested the instillation instruction for the voyager and the envoy they are posted on the web at

or . good luck, mark

Bret;

Been there don that (moving)......but....please be careful if you have to economize, OK ?

G

my budget is in the 2-3K range for the move... it's not like we're trying to move on $500. if I can come up with the extra $$ I'll probably get the Prodigy and replace my 6 wire connectors for 7 wire ones.

has a nice install kit that I'll probably use too. I've been looking around and I'm pretty sure 2 axles will be plenty.

-Bret

I have a Tekonsha Sentinel on my truck. Like all electronic controllers it's close to pure garbage. What I think is most important is that you mount it where you can get your hand on it quick if you need to. Mine is easy to adjust, I tow two different trailers and they both carry cars so the weight varies a lot. One trailer has four brakes, the other two. No problem there. However, I find myself using the manual control a lot. What ever you do, don't tow a heavy trailer without brakes. I moved a 12,000 pound trailer for a friend one time, his plug did not match the socket on my truck. Think a Roller Coaster is scary? Nothing like having a trailer push you through an intersection:)

Al

I've been towing travel trailers using Tekonsha controllers since 1988, first using a Safari van and now a '99 Yukon. My current controller is a Tekonsha Commander, which is no longer made. I've never had to use the manual control in normal use. If you have to use the manual control frequently to control the trailer, there are several probable causes, such as, improperly loaded trailer, lack of a weight distributing hitch, lack of a sway control device, improper tire pressures, maladjusted brake controller, and others. If your trailer is instable, you need to correct the underlying problem and not rely on the controller's manual control.

IMO, it's more important that you properly adjust your controller and setup your trailer than worry about what controller you buy. An expensive controller that's improperly used isn't better than a cheaper one that is used correctly.

WW

Not to start a war here, but did you ever tow with an old style hydraulic controller? Or a trailer with decent surge brakes? Electronic controllers are a poor excuse. Why not explain their logic to us?

Al

Great till you try backing them up a hill. You have to get out and lock them out, then unlock them when you're ready to go. You can adjust the braking power of electric brakes, in the cab, on the go. And lastly, surge brakes are illegal in some places. I think Tennessee banned them, last time I checked. On long steep downgrades the brakes stay on the entire time, burning them up.

Monteagle Mountain ???

I'm not sure what your getting at, there. I used to design trailer mounted generator sets and light towers. We used exclusively electric brakes unless the customer asked for something else. There are funky laws when dealing with trailers in some states. For example, rental trailers in NY had to have 2 5/16" ball hitches or Pintle, even on our

1000 lb baby units. I had a long list of reminders for different states, and I do remember we couldn't sell surge brakes to Tennessee customers.

Trailers sold in Canookia had to be CSA listed. The CSA (Canada's version of UL, FYI) would send you a chart with trailer weights and tire sizes, and you had to badge the trailer prominently with the correct tire pressure. Our standard light tower we sold there weighed about 1800 lbs and used 235/75R15 tires. Because of the light weight for that size tire, we HAD to badge the trailers at 18 psi. I spent hours on the phone trying to talk sense into someone up there. What a frickin runaround. I took video out the back of a truck swerving the trailer to prove to them what a frickin mess they were trying to cause. In the end, we used a cheap paper decal and waxed the trailer there before we applied it so it would come off on the first washing.

Monteagle Mountain on I-24 bertween Nashville and Chattanooga

a steep SOB

Ah, been there, done that. Didn't know it's name. I go up I59 and that route up through Roanoke to visit my father's family in WV. I'm pretty sure I remember the grade you are referring to. I drug a 13,000lb trailer over it with a loaded Dodge 1 ton. No problems, but I'd hate to do it every day for a living.

Compared to the west side of Eisenhower tunnel on I70? Drops from

11,300 feet to about 9000 feet altitude in about 9 miles. I pull that sevearl times a year. That or Berthoud pass at the same altitude. Can't pick up much speed on Berthoud because of all the hair pins.

Looking forward to doing with my new Duramax.