Trailer brake controllers

gbs

Member
what is the best type electric controller for a 10 ton tandem axle trailer? i have a new Reese brand that is suppose to be for my trailer but it seems to be a little late and inadequate when loaded an always to much or not enough when empty.
 
have you adjusted it under load? and then backed it off empty ,they are not just plug and play read your instructions
 
I like the draw tite with the digital display just because I know what numbers I need for what trailer. That being said I believe that there should be two adjustments on the controls. Best way I can explain is one for actual power output witch should be the actual power of the brakes and should be the main adjustment and one that might be a little more hidden to adjust the aggression or how fast the controller gets to the maximum set output. Your problem seems like a miss adjustment with the latter but would have to know more to give a definite answer. Brake controllers can take some playing with tho get them finely tuned
 
Get a Prodigy P2 proportional controller, cheapest good controller out there. Avoid timed controllers, avoid mechanical pendulum controllers.
 
I would agree, but to say get the P3. Can store the settings for a couple different trailers. The only thing I have used that is better is the OEM controller.
 
This article explains the 2 basic types.

Sounds like you may have the time delay model instead of the proportional.

What do you know about the trailer? Is it also new?

If so, there may be some wiring deficiencies. Trailer mfgs are known to take shortcuts, too small wire, poor quality connectors, and poor wire routing.

Typically they will start at a front wheel, then to the next, then to the next...

That works, but doesn't work well. The first wheel will get more voltage than the next. Multiply that by however many brake set you have, and there is significant difference from the first in line to the last.

I like to run a heavy gauge hot and ground (#10) down the center, then branch off to each brake with approximately the same length wires (#14). Also soldering, liquid taping, and shrink tube insulation is much better than the fold over-insulation cutter (worthless) type connectors that are so fast and easy to use. Totally unreliable for any application, let alone the rigors of a trailer.
Brake Controllers
 
PLEASE take the time to read all of the replies thoroughly, and then do your homework.

A few years ago, I had virtually zero experience with electric brakes. My 16' lowboy was manufactured before electric brakes were required, and it still has no brakes on it today. However, it's also only 5,000 GVW. I also have my CDL, so understood about air brakes, but haven't driven larger trucks much

Anyway, at the time we had a '96 GMC 3/4-ton Suburban with a 20', 14,000 GVW bumper pull deckover trailer. I never had any intentions of placing anywhere near rated capacity for that trailer, as it was simply too much for the truck. However, I knew the trailer would stand up to any abuse I would give it and that the brakes would work fine.

This was just after my dad passed, so had lots on my mind. The brake controller that came in the Burb (which we hadn't had very long) was shorting out and causing electrical problems. I went to Auto Zone to get a new controller. They only had 3 to choose from. The associate who came over highly recommended the most expensive one as the one I needed (and wanted!), so that's what I bought. However, it was a [color=blue:69a8fa46e2]time-delayed brake controller[/color:69a8fa46e2]. I would learn later that what I needed for that truck was a [color=blue:69a8fa46e2]proportional brake controller[/color:69a8fa46e2].

On our first load heading down to Arkansas (this load had my little Pasquali tractor, among other things), a small car cut me off on a steep downhill run, in heavy traffic, at night, just 3 days before Christmas. We had traveled over 1,000 miles without incident. Unfortunately, the small car caused me to slam on the brakes, which started the trailer fish-tailing. I had just about regained control when the trailer brakes gave out completely (I'm STILL trying to figure that one out!!). The trailer kept pushing us downhill. Every time I tried to slow with the truck, trailer kept trying to fishtail and pass us. I finally had no choice but to jackknife the trailer into the truck. We stopped about 1/4 mile from a deep dropoff.

When trying to figure out what went wrong, I [i:69a8fa46e2]then[/i:69a8fa46e2] learned about the two types of controllers. It would appear that some trucks actually prefer the time-delayed setup. Ours needed proportional control. The difference is, with time delay, you step on the brake and it engages at your preset level, then continues braking harder and harder until at 100% capacity. ...But what if you don't need or want that much braking? With proportional, it's just like the brakes in any auto; the trailer brakes match what your truck brakes are doing. You can adjust according to how much load you have and the driving conditions, etc., but it's pretty idiot-proof.

After educating myself on what I "should" have known beforehand, I bought a Tekonsha 90195 P3 Electronic Brake Controller. Have used it many times, and I must say this is the KING of brake controllers!! [u:69a8fa46e2]It[/u:69a8fa46e2] -- [u:69a8fa46e2]is[/u:69a8fa46e2] -- [u:69a8fa46e2]sweet![/u:69a8fa46e2] There are various presets and easy-to-reach controls that make it easy to tune in to your load and conditions.

Part of the accident I had was my fault - never should have slammed on the brakes, plus I estimated wrong and had my load weight a little farther back than where it [i:69a8fa46e2]should have[/i:69a8fa46e2] been. However, I have [b:69a8fa46e2]NO DOUBTS[/b:69a8fa46e2] that I would have recovered and made a safe, completed trip had I had the correct brake controller to begin with.

https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-901...r&qid=1552354945&s=gateway&sr=8-3
burb
mvphoto32749.jpg
 
I went to the Reese website, to me it looks like they do not make, but resell, and have the two types.
 
I have a 7 ton trailer and use the Reese Pilot controllers. I have 2 controllers and both same model. The one in the GMC pickup has a lag to braking but the one in the F 450 has no lag to it.
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As grizz02 posted DEFINITELY adjust for loaded then readjust for light or no load.you will fry your tires when empty if you don?t.I use the prodigy on a 30000 pound equipment trailer pulled by a tandem dump truck 5 days a week.best controller I?ve ever used.its not just proportional to how hard you push the brake pedal it senses inertia when braking and adds amperage to the brakes accordingly
 
Yet another vote for Prodigy. Mine has been in my GMC since 2002 and has never - ever - let me down. I am starting to think of a new truck and I know that my next controller will be Prodigy.
 
If you are getting a new truck get the trailer package, it come with built in controller along with all the wiring ,ready to go.
 

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