Opinions On Which Trailer Brake Controller To Purchase?

[drthv8r]

I'm going to be pulling a 34' 5th wheel RV and would like some feed back on two brake controllers. The ease of hook up and over all how well they perform. Either the Jordan 2002 Ultima or the Prodigy Brake Control. I know with the Jordan you have to run a cable to the brake pedal. I'm leaning towards the Prodigy. Thanks.

[hoot]

Get the Prodigy.... it's cooler looking ;)

[SoCalDMAX]

Topic moved to 2500HD/3500 Accessories forum.

Thanks, Steve

[SoCalDMAX]

OK, we might get more answers over here.

There was a lot of discussion about this in the past, search for trailer brake controllers, there was quite a bit of technical background in the one thread.

My opinion: I worked on inertial systems for the Navy, the Prodigy uses inertia to activate the brakes. The angle of the vehicle has to factored out of the inertial measurement to accurately give the trailer brakes the force that you want. This is very difficult. Most of the times you really need full force out of your brakes, you'll be going downhill. I don't recall any complaining about the Prodigy controllers.

The Jordan is truly proportional due to the mechanical connection to the brake pedal, aesthetically it shouldn't be an issue. In operation, I've heard that it operates like a dream. Some have switched from Prodigy to Jordan and IIRC, none have switched back.

I do own a Jordan, but do not work for them. I heard about Jordan controllers on another site, where many members are fanatical about them. IMHO, if the Jordan was twice the price of the Prodigy, I'd still buy the Jordan based on it's technical merits alone. If one searches the F-D.com site, one could find mention of an incredible deal on the Jordans going on... ;)

Regards, Steve

[RVGuy]

I'm sure there are other comparible controllers out there but I have first hand knowledge on three and the one I own now is the Prodigy.

With the Prodigy you set and forget. It is very smooth and predictable.

[AVfan]

Installed a Jordan 2002 Ultima. Seems to work great but do not have enough experience to say it is better than the Prodigy. I installed it in the CD holder in the center of the dash. This hides the controller when you are not using it and looks great. How ever, it was a lot of work to do this and places the controller at its maximum offset from the brake pedal.

[ct0218]

I've had a Jordan for about 2 years now and really like it. I like the proportional direct link it has. I am putting one on my 03 Sierra CC when it comes in. Have had no experience with the Prodigy, but haven't cared for the inertia system in earlier models. My neighbor has one and loves it. Probably couldn't go wrong with either.

[Viking]

Jordan for the last 15,000 miles.

[letsgo]

If you choose the jordan, make sure you position the the digital read out so that it can be seen at all times when driving, as any data or faults can be acted on quickly (instructions), I also made my own bracket to extend the brake pedal attachment point a further 2 inches to the right of the brake pedal.
It works well for me and my 10,000 lb trailer.

good luck.

GMC 2002 DURAMAX SLT EXCAB SHORT BOX 2500HD 4X4 AUTO

[AVfan]

On my install for the Jordan 2002 Ultima I had to make a relatively complex bracket to make it work ok and to provide the best path to the center of the dash since it is at its maximum offset from the brake pedal. The controller is in the CD holder. When in use the CD holder door is up and provides good access to the controller. When not in use the door is down and the controller is totall hidden from view.

[hdmax(mike)]

I have the Prodigy. I am not sold on it being so great. I have only tried one other brand (don`t remember, just so generic one) and there is not much differents between them.

And as for setting it and forgetting it. I don`t think so! On open road it works best at B3 in town I have to change it to B1 or B2. If I forget, it reminds me by being very jerky when slowing down.

It is better then the other one I used, But in my opinion It`s not worth the price differents.and it is over hyped.

My next controler will be the Jordan (after all he was the best :D ) But so far, I have never seen it in RV stores, or on the web. Where are they sold?

[GBurton]

hdmax(mike) and others

You can buy the Jordan controller directly from the owner at: http://www.jordanbrake.com/

I have one and I will NEVER go back to a timer controlled brake controller. I had an emergency stop situation last year. I was driving on a two-lane road and came around a bend and due to an accident traffic was stopped. There was no warning since it had just occurred. With the Jordan unit when I mashed the brake petal on the truck I got FULL trailer brakes at the same time. The trailer stopped at the same time as the truck with no attempt to jackknife, just good smooth braking action. With one of the timer controlled brake controllers there would have been a delay before the brakes were applied and I really believe I would had not been able to stop in time.
I don

[Colorado Kid]

From a similar experiance I can say that with the Prodigy the brakes are also "right now" when you drop the anchor. When I jumped on the brakes I could feel the front of the 5th wheel shoving down on the back of the truck hard, and that was a very comforting feeling as I was in the full anti-lock and swerve to miss the fool who came up an onramp and just had to get around the Semi in front of him, no worries that he was only going 25 MPH and I was going 70 MPH about 2 lengths behind him :eek: :mad: whew!, that was close!

What do you suppose a Kia Rio looks like after a 2500HD with a 5th Wheel goes over the top of it? Fortuately I do not know.

I don't thnk you can go wrong with either the of the controllers you are considering, and have recommended them both.

[johns]

Don't know anybody who has tried both the jordan and the Prodigy. There has been alot of discussion on this very toic on www.irv2.com.

I have a friend who has the Jordan. He says the truck stops better with the trailer connected (thus using the brake controller) than it does without it.

I personally have the Prodigy. I had a Tokonsha Voyager before. With the Prodigy, I love setting it and forgetting it. Trailer stops much better with the Prodigy. Why did I pick the Prodigy? My personal preference was not to have the mechanical connection. Not that there is anything wrong with it, just MOHP.

[Flyboy]

The Jordan controller displays the current going to the brakes. If you have a wire broken to one axel as I had, you will know it by the lower current reading. It is very helpful if you pull different trailers with different brakes. Once you determine the current setting for each trailer, it is easy to re-set whenever you change trailers. I think the Prodigy only displays voltage to the brakes.

[Colorado Kid]

The prodigy does display voltage, and can also display messages for: No Connection, No Ground, Overload, Short Circuit and probably some others that I've forgotten. It figures out all but the overload before you even apply the brakes! WHen you're driving down a bumpy road and teh "no connection" message flashes it's time to rework the plug on the 5th wheel...in my opinion a much better way to find out than seeing no current flow while noticing "NO BRAKES" :eek: on the trailer when trying to stop. Thank you Prodigy, even if I did have to field overhual the Plug on the side of US 40 climbing toward Berthoud pass.

The first time I hooked to a brand new car hauler I got the "short circuit" message as soon as the salesman pluged in the connnector. It was a little hard to convince him to tear the plug apart, but there was the bare spot on the trailer brake wire grounding to the case.

[drthv8r]

Thanks guys for all the helpful info. I did a search before posting and seemed most questions on these controllers were posted in the 2500HD/3500 HD Trucks & Drivetrain forum, that's why I orginally posted it there.

[drthv8r]

Updating this thread I ended up purchasing the Jordan controller. I purchased it at a discounted price from a web site that's running a group special on them. I called Jordan to order the controller and talked to the head man himself. To me that's pretty impressive at this age and time. Thank guys for all the replies.

[mhhman]

Does anyone know what site has the group discount for the Jordan conttoller?

[Disney Campers]

one more vote for the Prodigy

[drthv8r]

Yesterday I towed 2 different 34' 5th wheel RVs with my Dmax. The Jordan Brake controller performed great. I'd purchase another one if I had to, that's how impressed I am with it.

mhhman

I can't post the group purchase URL here, post me an email addy here and I'll send it to you.

[ 09-07-2002: Message edited by: drthv8r ]</p>

[mhhman]

Thanks drthv8r. mhhman@yahoo.com

[drthv8r]

mhhman:

YGM

[bora]

Prodigy,

It is great. Never feel the trailer while braking. Very smooth stops even when pressed hard as when an idiot cuts you off coming across three lanes of traffic to get off the freeway.