Electric brake controllers

Submitted: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:10

ThreadID: 34203 Views:1823 Replies:9 FollowUps:7

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Member - Malcolm P (VIC)

Dear All,
Looking for some info, I am a novice in these areas.

I have recently purchased an off-road camper trailer that is around 1500kgs.
It does have electric brakes but at this stage I have not put a controller in the Patrol.
Currently I have a round 7 pin trailer plug for the 6x4 garden trailer and then an adapter for the flat pin set up on the camper.

Do I go for a Gyro or full electric?
Apart from Tekonsha and Hayman Reece are ther other brands to consider?
What would be a fair price to have installed?
I am in the inner eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

I would be thankful for all information.

Malcolm

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Reply By: djpatrol - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:37

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:37

I have a Kelsey fitted now for 7 years towing a 2 ton van all have some problems I belive, Some brake lock-up on mine if braking on bumpy roads,I dont know a price now but watch out where they run the wires as they cut my steering colum rubber an I have water leaking there when it,s wet {{{NOT IMPRESSED}}} on the Patrol.

AnswerID: 174421

Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm P (VIC) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:46

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:46

thanks for the info djpatrol

FollowupID: 430521

Reply By: Member - Tony G (ACT) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:37

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:37

The Tekonsha Prodginy(?) are the pick of them all. My camper is about the same weight as yours and this controller is far better than any others I have used over the years with horse floats etc.

AnswerID: 174422

Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm P (VIC) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:46

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:46

thanks Tony

FollowupID: 430523

Follow Up By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 13:01

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 13:01

Another vote here for the Prodigy...

FollowupID: 430529

Follow Up By: angler - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 20:15

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 20:15

Another vote for prodigy, with yours and others safety involved use the best.

Prodigy.

FollowupID: 430629

Follow Up By: Member - John R (NSW) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 20:17

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 20:17

Prodigy. Best controller I've ever used.

FollowupID: 430632

Reply By: Patrol22 - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:33

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:33

I use the Aussie made Redarc brake controller and found it to be very good. I pull a Kanga DL 1.4 tonnes laden with a 2.8TDI GU
Redarc

AnswerID: 174435

Follow Up By: Member - Malcolm P (VIC) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:35

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 12:35

Thanks Patrol 22
I have a Kanga as well

FollowupID: 430517

Reply By: Flash - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 14:50

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 14:50

Have used a few, about four or five different controllers on different vehicles including my own, and now have a Tekonsha Prodigy.
As others have said, it's simply the best- there is no contest.
I would not have anything else these days.
Cheers

AnswerID: 174453

Reply By: Nav 8 - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 15:21

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 15:21

7 Pin trailer plug will be OK, should only take about hour-hour half to fit,, Nav.

AnswerID: 174462

Reply By: Member - Hugh (WA) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 16:22

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 16:22

Hi Malcolm,

On my last Patrol I fitted a Tekonsha Voyager (though consensus is Prodigy is the best).

The current Patrol came with a Redarc unit fitted. I've found this to be much better than the Voyager but cannot comment re the Prodigy. I tow a camper trailer ~ 1.2T fully loaded.

Regards,
Hugh

AnswerID: 174473

Reply By: Mikee5 (QLD) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 19:26

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 19:26

Hi Malcolm,
I have a Tekonsha Prodigy too. They are electronic and you can vary the brake pressure to the trailer. The Voyager was having issues a while back in that the vehicle brake lights may come on even with no trailer attached and no-one even in the vehicle!! This has been covered in some of the caravanning forums.

AnswerID: 174525

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 22:12

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 22:12

Hi Malcolm,

The Prodigy is the way to go. I now sell 3 Prodigy's to every Voyager.

The Voyager is still a very good unit and the old brake light problem has been fixed.

The Tekonsha products are great.

Regards Derek.

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AnswerID: 174566

Follow Up By: Muzzgit (WA) - Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 22:57

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 22:57

I have the voyager. Great unit. Yes brake light comes on in winter but autoleccy who supplied and fitted it has moved interstate so I don't know how to go about getting it replaced. Instead I have had a plug fitted at the back so I simply disconnect it when not in use.

It was very funny the first time I saw the brake lights on from the kitchen window.....I thought some stooge was breaking into my car, so I tiptoed up the driveway with a baseball bat ready to brake some knuckles. We laughed about it for weeks afterwards.

FollowupID: 430658