Lots of caravan related questions coming

SWMBO has placed the order for the new Retreat Stradbroke which will arrive early next year in time for her retirement.
I have been more than happy with my old CT, BUT, as we will be on an extended trip next year the caravan will most likely be better if we get any bad weather.
Not having had a caravan before, it is going to be a bit of a learning curve for me and hence the need for lots of questions to make my membership of EO worth while.
No 1. Will need to install a break controller in the 4by. what are the recommendations of you people in the know ?
No 2. Will also require a weight distribution hitch to go onto the HR tow bar. Which brand.
That's enough for tonight, but will keep asking as I think of them.
Thanks
Regards Vince
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 20:41

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 20:41
! A Tekonsha P3 or Prodigy Definitely NOT a Voyager

2 Depending on the ATM of the van a HR WDH of either 550lb or if over 2500kg ATM a 750lb model.

Look on the website they have a new one which is also an antisway unit as well

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/index.htm

The right hand dual cam antisway can be combined with a WDH and give you the best possible unit

Cheers
AnswerID: 384254

Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 20:43

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 20:43
Vince,

what Graham said X2.

cheers

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
- Augustus McCrae (Lonesome Dove)

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 651983

Follow Up By: GerryP - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 21:22

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 21:22
Hi,
...and I'll third that as well. Certainly the Prodigy is a very good unit and also, at the very least I would fit a WDH - they really do make a difference.

Cheers
Gerry
0
FollowupID: 651989

Follow Up By: ozjohn0 - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 08:56

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 08:56
Ditto.
ozjohn.
Oh ! Congratulations in choosing a quality van. In many cases you could have had the dealer supply and fit a controller as part of the deal.
0
FollowupID: 652049

Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 12:10

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 12:10
What wrong with the Voyager unit ??

0
FollowupID: 652072

Follow Up By: Tenpounder (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 12:23

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 12:23
Hi Signman. A couple of years ago, stories were everywhere about the Voyager. True or not, it was being said that, in the USA, Voyagers were the subject of a factory recall, and every customer was entitled to a replacement unit (Prodigy, I seem to remember). In Australia, word had it that any failed Voyager would be replaced free of charge, but working units were not covered.
The fault was an intermittent one, namely that the unit would energise the brake light circuit, at random usually when the vehicle was unattended, and owners would wake up to a flat battery (just think of all bake lights burning overnight - that's a few amphours!).
I talked with my friendly local caravan brake specialist, and he said he refuses to supply Voyager units, though he still sells Teconsha (spelling?) products including the Prodigy.
I decided, in the interests of personal compfort, to spend the cost of a Prodigy, rather than wake up in the middle of nowhere with a flat battery.
I have still got the Voyager unit in the garage - seemed too good the throw out, somehow!
0
FollowupID: 652075

Follow Up By: JAX W - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 13:14

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 13:14
Hullo All

We have several vehicles (five off the top of my head) fitted with Tekonsha Yoyager units and don't have a problem.

Sometimes people make strange claims and this is one of them.The brake units work fine and have not caused any problems over many years of satisfactory performance.

We have no connection with the ompany, just satisfied customers.

Check out your options, but follow sound advice.

Regards Jack
0
FollowupID: 652076

Follow Up By: Tenpounder (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 13:42

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 13:42
Sure, Jack. The guy asked the question, and deserved an answer. And a search on this site reveals that there have been issues. I simply responded with the guts of the history. Some will say the faults have been fixed. You seem to have been lucky. So was I.
The 'strange claims' have been met with action by the manufacturer on many occasions (depending on who you lean on, and how!!), so perhaps they were not simply a false rumour.
0
FollowupID: 652079

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 15:25

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 15:25
This is NOT a strange opinion at all. This has been well documented and is a fact that some DID give trouble

read these threads


http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/64593/Tekonsha_Voyager_-_yes_again.aspx

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/53373/Tekonsha_Voyager_Brake_Controller.aspx


http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/30490/Tekonsha_Voyager_brake_contollers.aspx?ky=tekonsha+prodigy&p=%2FForum%2FDefault.aspx%3Fs%3D1%26ky%3Dtekonsha%2Bprodigy%26pn%3D8

Is it still a strange opinion??????????


About 2-3 years ago there was a batch of

Voyagers gave the problem documented .
They have been mostly been replaced by suppliers.

It was apparently a certain batch of them and they did flatten batteries and have been the subject of lots of posts regarding the problem.

However the Prodigy and the P3 are better units as they work in a different better way and I would certainly pay the extra to get one.


They have come down in price since I bought mine so are an even better buy.





0
FollowupID: 652095

Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 16:52

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 16:52
I'm also with Graham on this one.

And I was one of those with the faulty Voyager and it was replaced with another Voyager that had no problems.
Updated to a Prodigy with the new van in 2001 and the difference was chalk and cheese.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 652114

Follow Up By: PatrolSTL04 - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 19:22

Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 19:22
Interesting to hear about staying away from the Voyager.

I have two that have served me very well...one in each tow car. One is about 7 years old, and the other about 5 years old.

One predominantly tows a tripple axle (3 sets of brakes) horse float, and the other one is used to tow the camper trailer on some pretty shocking and dusty roads.

No problems so far, plus they are still for sale at tow bar places.

I will continue to use the Voyager. If it aint broke, dont break it.

Hayman Reece WDH is definately going to help keep things level...but keep it lubricated with greese at the top and the bottom where the arms join the hitch....otherwise it will wear out at these spots. I do that much towing of heavy loads, that you can see the wear occuring.

Brett.......
0
FollowupID: 652273

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 19:58

Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 19:58
If you read the threads in the links you will find that there were units with a

particular coloured label that were crook. Earlier and later ones were probably.

alright

No one said they were all crook just those ones.

However the Prodigy is just so much better I wouldnt bother with the cheaper model.




0
FollowupID: 652279

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)