Brake Controller - In-Out?

[Virginia RVers]

Just a quick question. I recently upgraded to a Prodigy brake controller and it comes with a sleeve bracket to remove the unitwhen not in use. I have never owned a brake controller that I removed when not using it. I have had mine hooked up for the past 4 years and have never removed it.



Do you keep it charged and hooked up while not in use, or do you remove it for security andto prolong the life?



Happy camping.

[mwebber78]

Mine is in their for life or until the next truck. I used the sleeve option just becuase I thought it looked better then the u-shape bracket.



Have fun!

[Hunter11]

Mine has been in the truck for 4 1/2 years now.

[papa2]

I use the U-bolt. Guess mine will be staying in the truck.

[bebel]

I take mine out when not in use and store it in a storage box in truck. No real reason, just my way. Not aware of any battery to be charged in the controller.

[gtoguy1967]

Mine has never been touched since I out it in.

[salda01]

I took my out, didn't want to draw any attention to electronics being in the truck.

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[jgerni]

I swap mine in and out of my truck to our Suburban when needed. The sleeve makes it easy.

[cwit]

Mine is installed in the dash and will stay there untill I trade the truck.

[Virginia RVers]

OK.. I have one more question concerning my brake controller. I purchased a new Prodigy Model 90185. I have followed the instructions that came with the new controller as far as setting the power to the controller. My question is I have had to set it at the highest setting to include the boost button at #3. This does not lock up the wheels and this concerns me. The test instructions say you should set the powerjust below (lock-up). But if the setting is the highest and it does not lock the wheels. Is something wrong?



My older controller (which I never tested) would not engage at times and had to knock it sometimes to work. So I cannot say I have ever had one work correctly to know the difference.



Thanks for any advice.

[rcflyer]

Depends on the trailer. Posts I have read on RV.net there have been several with large trailers that are not able to lock the brakes. If the attached picture is your trailer it appears you may have a trailer that is in the range of 13,000 lbs. Looks a little large for a single wheel rear end truck. There are many variables to getting the brakes right.



I have a 2010 26RK Cruiser. The first time I tried to set up my P3 only one wheel would lock. That only took 4 volts. The others would not lock at full voltage. Pulled the hub that was locking. Found some grease on the back plate and possibly on the shoes. Took it to dealer for repair. They claimed to have cleaned things. Still can not lock the other three. I pulled one of the other hubs and found grease everywhere. The magnet and the magnet drum surface had a lot of grease. I am still fighting this problem with the dealer. It is a long story I will not post at this time. When or if I get this resolved I will post some details.

[Chrisnan23]

All I Can say is tow contorl from FORD opps wrong thread...

[Hunter11]

Keith, I have never been able to lock the brakes on the PP but I could when we had the Cruiser (same truck and brake controller). I can stop the rig with the trailer brakes and they do hit before the truck brakes do so I am happy with that setup. Funny thing is the settings I had for the Cruiser work great for the PP.

[lenny]

I have a Prodigy, and have not touched it since initial set up. It won't lock up the wheels, but I feel it brakes plenty hard. Made me a little nervous driving on some icy roads!

[Virginia RVers]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I feel better knowing that others cannot lock the wheels. My goal is not having them lock up, but to set just below that; Howeverthey don't lock up then how would I know where to set it. I have it maxed out and I feel good about the feel of stopping with it.



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