trailer brakes

I had two Tekonsha unit failures although there are plenty of guys that have had no problems. I now have a Hayman Reese unit and it is simpler. The Tekonsha unit needs to be mounted at a certain angle because of the active self adjusting unit and in some vehicles this is not achievable if you mount it in the normal position adjacent to your left knee because of the shape of the lower intsrument panel. My thoughts only. Michael

From what I understood when looking around, the Teshonka Prodigy is the bees knees of controllers, I picked mine up for about $160 on the net and installed itmyself. As for angle, it can not be mounted with face pointing down, but can pe pointing up to 70 degrees which is a huge angle, and I shouldn't think too many 4wds can't accomodate that type of angle. Mine just replaced the ash tray.

As for failures, there were problems with earlier models (of the voyager) all seem to have been sorted - as for the Prodigy, no problems I have heard of except for certain Fords with cruise control which requires slightly different wiring. Haven't had mine for long, but works a treat, and I can adjust it to boost when on dirt so if I get out of shape, i can hit the brakes lightly and the trailer brakes come on full bore and help straighten me up (only through practice, not necessity)

Installation of any brake controller (except those mounted on drawbar but not adjustable from inside vehicle) is generally easy but fiddly. I was quoted from $380 up to $500 just for installation, but did the job in a day with my very limited electronic experience.

Good Luck

D-Jack

I've had the Tekonsha Prodigy in my Jack for 2 years now - drives the brakes on the Campomatic trailer - been very good to date - I've only ever heard good about the Prodigy - plus it has the ability to work while reversing - not all do that. Very easy to manually throw the brakes on while motoring, plus adjust the power and boost levels - all digital readout - I played safe (in my terms) and paid $450 for supply and pro install at an electric brake specialist.

i have a Hayman Reese type & is still working great, 3 4wd's later (800,000.00klms) & is used every week (work) but i do find it hard to set when towing some thing light (empty trailer eg) as the setting slide is small
good luck
Vince

I have run a Hayze Lemir controller for the last five years. Can mount at any angle and a simple adjustment to set how quickly/savagely you want the braking to come on.

Ian

Hi dnielsen,

You won't go wrong with the Prodigy. They are one of the best products on the market. I have never had a unit returned faulty.

If your trailer has Hydro-Electric brakes you will need the Voyager. The Prodigy won't work on them.

You can do a DIY fit in around 2 hours. Remember there is a 25 % price increase on the 1st of September.

Regards Derek.

While you are setting up - just make sure that the magnets in the brakes are the "off road" type. Mine predated them, and wore out enough to lock a wheel at 80 kph on the way to the Bungles. Much smoke!

Max

Have been using a Hayman & Reece type solid state controller for the last four years and works a dream, It can be dialled up a notch on the fly (after just picking up a ton of topsoil for example) and is unaffected by heavy corrugations and offroad use (extreme angles) The manual over-ride button to trigger the brakes is especially usefull when crawling off ledges to turn the trailer into an anchor" so to speak. One of the cheaper units available on the market too!