Electric Brake Controller Choices

I've been shopping for a new electric brake controller for use in the RV used primarily when towing my single axle combination (golf cart up front sideways, towed vehicle in rear) Tow Dolly equipped with Dexter Electric Brakes.

The choices are TIME BASED control which I believe??? doesn't use any internal pendulum or know how hard you're braking (doesn't sense deceleration) I think??? they just apply more power to the trailer as time passes.

The other choice is the inertia and pendulum PROPORTIONAL BASED units which sense deceleration so the harder you're braking (greater deceleration) the more power it applies to the trailer brakes.

Okay, I drive like an old man in the RV especially when towing, so most of my stops are veryyyyyyyy slowwwwwwwwwww and deliberate with "usually" no hard sudden braking. It's my thinking with a time based controller and my longggggggg easy brake times, over time the trailer brakes are gonna be over used. HOWEVER if using an inertia pendulum type with my long gradual slow downs, the brakes may never even go on much if any on the trailer. I also think in an emergency sudden hard panic stop when you really need the trailer brakes, the pendulum inertia controller is going to apply more trailer brakes quicker then a time based unit.

SOOOOOOOO my conclusion is I should use an inertia pendulum PROPORTIONAL type versus a cheaper TIME BASED controller.

Thoughts, corrections???

PS Yes, Billy Bob I have a 22 ft (18 + 4) tilt bed car hauler type trailer with electric brakes on both axles I could use, and I sometimes tow the car alone 4 down in which case I use a Brake Buddy auxiliary braking system, but this question concerns the electric brake controller choices listed above. Yes I believe Tekonsha is a good unit, but there are others out there.

Ol John T and all

JT,
I had the old Tekonsha unit, was going downhill, rain, the pendulum was screwed up because if incline, brakes on trailer flat spotted tires. It was scarry, stop light at bottom of hill.

That is when I got a Premius IQ, self leveling, 3 different modes, depending on trailer size. It has a digital read out. Great unit. I think Tekonsha makes it. I use it on a 10K dump trailer and 14K implement.
george

Hey John T - I would not even consider a time-based controller!

Proportional does a MUCH better job, especially under hard or emergency braking situations. It provides much more predictable braking. It also balances brake wear evenly between the tow vehicle and trailer.

FWIW I have an older, high-end Tekonsha proportional controller on my F250 for the flatbed. Once adjusted for the load (yeah it takes a couple minutes to get it set just right each time the trailer load is changed....) braking performance of the combination is as if the trailer is not even back there.

Same as you I drive "old man" conservatively with the trailer (ie. slooooowwwwwww, planned stops) but once or twice a year I gotta make a quick stop for a sudden stoplight, to avoid Billy Bob and his cousin, etc. With the correctly adjusted controller truck and trailer stops quickly (and straight!) loaded or empty.

Safe trailering my friend!!

...Bob M

Did not even know there was something time based.

I didn't, either- if its time based, how does it know how quickly you want to stop? And panic stops are really when you need the trailer brake helping it along.

John,

I got this from the Tekonsha web site. According to this, the controller senses deceleration, possibly with an accelerometer but I"m not really sure.


Proportional Controllers


Proportional based controls offer a smooth braking response to almost any stop. Through the use of a sensing device, the brake control can determine the tow vehicle"s rate of deceleration and then apply the trailer brakes to match. In other words, Proportional controls deliver power to the trailer brakes in direct relationship to the actual physical deceleration of the tow vehicle.

Any reason you can't use a hydraulic over electric controller that plumbs into the master cylinder?

(quoted from post at 20:57:09 05/11/14) Any reason you can't use a hydraulic over electric controller that plumbs into the master cylinder?

Click to expand...

ot useable with antilock brakes.

I have a Tekonsha Primus in my tow vehicle, and believe it is hard to beat. proportional controller, you can adjust the maximum braking for lighter loads, it is self leveling, and has lifetime warranty.

Not useable with antilock brakes.

Click to expand...

Thanks. That's what I figured.

"SOOOOOOOO my conclusion is I should use an inertia pendulum PROPORTIONAL type versus a cheaper TIME BASED controller."

correct
started out with a Reese Brake Controller, time based. 16 years ago, didn't know any better.
learned fairly fast that that contropller just did not do the job for the reasons you posted.
Switched to a inertia pendulum proportional controller and it has worked great every time. have bought 3 of them and like them all.
good luck
Ron

(quoted from post at 21:57:09 05/11/14) Any reason you can't use a hydraulic over electric controller that plumbs into the master cylinder?

Click to expand...

Can you tell me where to buy one nowadays?
I've been looking for one for my '78.
Not easy to find around here!

(quoted from post at 02:40:41 05/12/14)

(quoted from post at 21:57:09 05/11/14) Any reason you can't use a hydraulic over electric controller that plumbs into the master cylinder?

Click to expand...

Can you tell me where to buy one nowadays?
I've been looking for one for my '78.
Not easy to find around here!

Click to expand...

I don't know if anyone still makes them. Try a junk yard.

There used to be a controller that plumbed a pressure-sensing switch into your air or hydraulic line, and another that had a cable that tied to your brake pedal and pulled on a potentiometer in the controller. Both companies have shut down. The built-in controllers in the new trucks kinda did them in.

John,
All the new style proprotional controller I am aware of use a gyroscope to sense decels.

I believe the industry went away from pendulums quite a while ago. So no worries about the pendulum, getting "stuck"

Instead, just trust your braking to electronics.

Rick