Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller Question
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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=6431
Printed Date: 18 Jun 2025 at 11:29am
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Topic: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller Question
Posted By: JohnBG
Subject: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller Question
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 4:16pm
| I recently installed a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller in my Honda Ridgeline to tow my 2010 RP-171. What "boost" setting is recommended, B0 or B1? |
Replies:
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 4:33pm
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I have a 2012 Ridgeline towing a 177. I turned boost off. I tried it at 1 for awhile but if I drove on a rough road or went over railroad tracks and applied the brakes to slow down they would start to lock up. With boost off the trailer brakes act like normal ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 5:03pm
Thanks... So if I understand the manual correctly, I find some empty open road get the Ridgeline towing the trailer up to 25 mph and flip the lever on the bottom and hit the brakes. If it locks up decrease the power setting and if it doesn't brake well increase the power setting, right? I've never used a brake controller before and the used 171 is my first RV.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 5:56pm
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My previous rig was a Honda Pilot (similar to the Ridgeline), an RP172, and a P3. I never used the boost function. I found it to be too aggressive. On your 25MPH road test you use only the lever to activate the trailer brakes. Do not hit the brake pedal. On dry pavement you probably will not be able to lock the trailer brakes. That is normal. I ran the brake level pretty high and only backed it off if I felt it was braking too much on wet roads. It's mostly by feel and experience. In normal braking you want to feel the trailer pulling back on the truck, not pushing it. You'll get the feel of it is a short time.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 6:27pm
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Don't use the truck brakes just the lever on the brake controller. Start with a low setting and you will see it does not lock up the trailer brakes. As you keep raising the voltage you will hear the tires screech when they start to lock up and skid. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 6:42pm
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OK good advice everyone... Thanks! Getting ready for our maiden voyage on 4th of July weekend.
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Posted By: pod1
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 7:13pm
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the pod may be to heavy to lock the breaks.. Like charlie said when you feel the trailer pull you back or slow you down that is about the right setting. You will get the hang of it in know time. good luck John on you first trip. ------------- Pod1 2016 RP179 2010 Ford Escape 2000 F150 |
Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 9:48pm
| What kind of mileage were you guys getting with the Ridgelines or Pilots while towing your pods? |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 10:36pm
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Last October we drove the Ridgeline from Sacramento to Zion and back home thru Death Valley and the truck averaged 12.1 mpg for a 1800 mile trip. Had about the same for a Sacramento to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nv and averaged 12.2 mpg for a 600 mile trip ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 8:57am
When towing you can expect 10-13 MPG at 60MPH depending on wind, hills, and elevation. It's almost independent of tow vehicle and trailer weight, but is highly dependent on speed and trailer frontal cross sectional area. I've also found using premium gas can add 1-2 MPG, but that's probably specific to the Honda engine. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 9:23am
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I prefered B0 with the pod. With the popup we had before it, which was heavier than the pod, I prefered B1. I again prefer B1 with our current very heavy TT. The pod is too light for an aggresive braking profile, IMO. You should be able to lock the brakes up when doing your road test. If you can't then they need to be adjusted. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 1:51pm
How do you adjust the brakes if needed?
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 3:20pm
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There is an adjustment on the back of each brake. Best bet is to look up "adjust trailer brakes" online for directions. Not hard to do. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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