brake controller
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3893
Printed Date: 05 Jun 2025 at 12:36am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: brake controller
Posted By: gpod
Subject: brake controller
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2013 at 11:23pm
|
I need to get a brake controller for my 2005 Grand cherokee Laredo (for pulling a 182G) Any recommendations. Looks like I could spend $60-$150. What do the expensive ones offer that the basic one doesn't? tnx ------------- Matt |
Replies:
Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2013 at 11:46pm
|
As a recent newbie, I posted this same question a few months ago. Apparently the less expensive models are timer based, and the more expensive models are inertia based. Many chimed in suggesting purchasing the Prodigy. That is what I did. Works fine and never had any issues with too little or too much braking. A bit more money, but it seems to be worth it. ------------- 2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
Posted By: gpod
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 1:29am
|
Thanks! Which model Prodigy? ------------- Matt |
Posted By: Pod-a-terre
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 7:05am
|
Prodigy P2 is a pretty good one John ------------- John Kris "Lady Sarah" our Golden Aiken SC |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 9:09am
|
We have a wireless Prodigy and absolutely love it. The main control box is mounted to the trailer tongue area and is fed power from the main wiring harness. The controller is a handheld unit (looks like a CB handheld mic) that plugs into any 12v plug in your TV cab. Tells you immediately if you are connected or not, allows you to set the braking lighter to heavier, and you can activate them from it as well.
The biggest downside ... they are more expensive. The biggest upside ... it goes with me when I trade up my TV to something else. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 9:17am
|
I really like my Prodigy RF wireless unit, works in both my TVs, easy to move from one to the other. When I bought a new TV, I couldn't find a good place to mount my Prodigy II. The wireless unit plugs into a "power port", (AKA cigarette lighter) resembles a mike from a CB radio and it will fit anywhere. Just keep your cellphone 12" away from it. By the way, I have a Prodigy II you can have for "next to nothing", only used twice, just takes up space in my garage. ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 9:19am
Wow, I'm gonna have to learn to type faster!  ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: Thinker
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 9:28am
|
My TV came prewired for brake controller, harness under the dash and hot wire to the seven pin plug on the hitch. I work in IT and our experience is that wired is more reliable than wireless, so it was easy to install the Prodigy.
In general Prodigy is best and I have used them on several towing configurations. ------------- Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171 
|
Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 9:56am
|
I would contact Mr Dingo on his "next to nothing" used Prodigy. I paid $120 for mine.. ------------- 2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
Posted By: Lefty
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2013 at 5:38pm
| I got the Prodigy 3 from Amazon for about $149 and it came with the wiring harness for my TV 4Runner. I really like it. |
Posted By: gpod
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2013 at 11:40pm
|
Ok, Mr. Dingo, thanks for the advice and how much for your Prodigy II? :) And where is Tarentum? I'm from Mansfield. ------------- Matt |