For those who believe in inertial controllers, what happens when one is on a slick surface (e.g., a wet road during a sudden thunderstorm) and has to make a sudden stop when some clown pulls out in front of you? The answer can be wheel lockup on the truck before enough retarding force is generated to signal the inertial controller to apply the trailer brakes. This happened to me with our 1996 3500 towing a 5th wheel using a Tekonsha Sentinel inertial controller, and the result is an instant jack-knife. I was able to get off the truck brakes and catch the rig before the trailer pushed the truck into the ditch, but that's why I went to the Jordan - the trailer brakes are applied in direct proportion to application of the truck's brakes. The Brakesmart provides the same effect.

Rusty

 

Rusty,

This brings back some bad memories of my Prodigy. On a rain slick road, that initial surge when the tail lights come on can be horrible. You are suddenly studying the graphics on the side of your fiver and you are supposed to be going straight. The other bugaboo was when descending a steep grade with the E brake in a lower gear. You need to just touch the brake lightly to slow down a bit. The inertia system feels the heavy action of the ebrake working in a low gear and slams you. Another one was coming up a good grade, topping off at an abrupt descent and there is everyone stopped. Good luck - - hit the brakes and you get the initial surge but no additional braking. HELP.

AlCore, we shouldn't have to use the hand control on a simple thing like an off ramp. I know exactly what you are talking about - - I was constantly reaching down for my hand controller because the trailer was not braking like the truck. Incidently, perchance you ever needed to use it, the Jordan has a hand control button also.

Another great feature of Jordan over Prodigy is it shows current being drawn, not voltage. Voltage will show on an open wire. An open wire will not stop you. It takes current. How much current your system drawing is very important to know the condition of your wiring and your pucks. It will quickly tell you when you have one wheel not functioning. My four wheels draw 11.7 amps when all is good. If I don't see that when I test it I know I have a problem.

Bob

 

Yeah, once I got edjumicated about controllers a bit, that concerned me. I've also seen Inertia proportional controllers that seem to react to bumpy roads with choppy jolts in braking.

Still, when a friend wanted a plug and play inexpensive controller for fair weather occasional towing of a tent trailer, I recommended the Prodigy, and for what he needs, it works great. There is no doubt that they are way better than the timer based controllers.

I've had my 5th wheel up some loose, steep, washed out roads with hair pin switch backs (IE 1st gear in 4x4), and coming back down there is just no substitute to having the trailer braking directly controlled by your foot on the brake pedal.

I love my Brakesmart, but not everyone needs one.

I never find the need to use the hand control, but I like the adjustable sensitivity feature. On other controllers I've used it's really easy to get way more brake with the hand lever than you intended.

 

I am satisfied with my Prodigy pulling a 10TN GN,no problems.Easy to install too.

 

i am happy with my prodigy as well.