I too ordered the brakesmart and there was a delay. In fact in my situation, I needed to have a controller in order to take delivery of our 5er in the next State. I cancelled my brakesmart order because I couldn't wait any longer and ordered the Jordan
The installation was a breeze and it was very affordable. Although I've not used a brakesmart, all I can say is I'm glad I got the Jordan. Set it and forget it!

 

Don't know how that happened, I meant to quote on a different post. I also run the Jordan.

 

Beavermike,

If you haven't found anything, I just posted a classified for a Reese controller.

It is one of the electronic delay types, and has the typical drawbacks of those types. Since it only gets input from the brake light switch, it applies the brakes the same whether you are panic stopping on the freeway, or easing up to a stop sign (unless you adjust it in between). The thing that bugs me the most is whenever I ease off of the brake while still moving, it cuts the brakes to the trailer like someone turning off a switch.

Anyway, it might work for someone who doesn't tow often or in bad road conditions, or too heavy, and it fits the bill for inexpensive.

If you can spend more, though, I would recommend going with something that reads tow vehicle brake application and applies trailer brakes in proportion (brakesmart or Jordan) to begin with... Some of the deceleration sensing ones I've seen seem to react to bumps with a surge to the trailer brakes, which in turn bumps the truck around... and they rely on the tow vehicle to create the initial deceleration for them to sense- which might not happen in slick conditions.

It would have been smarter in the long run for me, anyway, to have just bought a good one to begin with, rather than upgrading later and paying for two like I did (just installed Brakesmart).

 

We all know what I am going to suggest and gloat about so I will just leave it to Casey to work on Brakesmartless Bob on this thread.



ScottywithaBrakesmart

 

Brakesmart if you want the best and are flush with $$$$$. Jordan Ultima 2020 if you're not.

Rusty

 

I agree with Rusty. Go with the Jordan, you won't be disappointed. I know I'm not. If you want to spend more for a controller, by all means, go Brakesmart as it's about the most expensive I know of.
Go Jordan Ultima...

 

These brake controler threads are no fun anymore, noone even mentions the surge controllers any more....

 

Here's the bass part -

JORDAN ULTIMA - - - JORDAN ULTIMA

 

Here is a little Jordan trivia. I have had it on for 208,320 miles and never had a problem with it. That is all towing miles also, it has never been unhooked at the pedal as they recommend. At one time I was paranoid and purchased another one for a backup and it just sits on the shelf now. The Jordan cut my brake replacement on the truck in half.

Just for the record, I don't know but I am sure that the Brakesmart unit is just as reliable, I would have had one but they were not out yet when I purchased the Jordan. Now I have the Jordan broke in, no sense changing it out....

 

Just ordered the Brakesmart. I hope it doesn't take too long to ship...I need it in about a month.

 

Looking at the Brakesmart, it seems to have a lot of features I don't think I will ever use. It appears to be able to control hyd brakes, remote landing gear, air suspension, displays communication from those systems, gives inspirational messages, and double checks your tax return...

It seems to me there would be a market for a brake pressure sensing controller that is simpler and cheaper...

If there was a model that did nothing but control electric brakes, had only a gain adjustment ****, and was half the price, I think they would sell a ton...

 

Well, I ordered and put on the Jordan. Seems to work ok, but really only towed the new trailer home, and with this truck I could hardly tell there was a 1600 lb (empty) trailer back there.

I must say that they need to modify the attachment device for the adjustable brakes. The one they sent me was too large, so I had to bend it. The problem is when it is bent, it tends to want to rock and is difficult to get tight. A simple fix would be to make their device smaller and use a longer screw. Anyway, after spending 20 or more minutes with it, I finally got it on, and hopefully tight enough to stay on.

Looks like Haulin_in_Dixie answered my next question about taking it off the pedal as they suggest. I was wondering what to do with it and the wires when not in use. But if he has over 200,000 miles on it, I guess I'll just leave it on. Unless someone has some better suggestion.

Thanks to all.

 

I installed the Jordan and went RVing last week.

First to Beavermike; I had the same issue with the bracket being too large. I just added a thin piece of rubber around the rod and it is very tight and will not move.

Now for the report on the Jordan; all I can say is wow!! . I have never owned a controller that I did not have to constantly adjust for different driving conditions. Not with the Jordan. I never had to change it once I left home. This thing is as smooth as possible. I literally kept checking to make sure I still had my trailer because I could not tell in was there while braking. I am soooo glad I decided to save $250.

 

It's Friday. It is "Be Nice to BrakeSmartlessBob Day".

 

HHMMM, sounds like a Jordan to me.

"It's Friday. It is "Be Nice to BrakeSmartlessBob Day".

Hmmm, now that sounds like an April Fools statement - - those two things don't go together from Casey.