Thursday, March 19, 2009

Brake controllers and Trailers

Looks like I am going to pull the trigger tomorrow on my first car hauler. Look out now, I can gut the lil foci and shed all that weight!


Brake controllers, is there any major diff between the models, or is this one of those things that works or it does not work?


I bought the Hopkins 47235 from pep Boys last night and plan on installing it tonight.

Any thoughts before I get into this?

Thanks,
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9 comments:

  1. KenThursday, March 19, 2009 at 10:00:00 AM PDT

    The more I research, this looks like a "timed" model...I understand there are 3 diff types now.

    Anyone have any pros or cons of each?

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  2. GregThursday, March 19, 2009 at 10:59:00 AM PDT

    My trailer has no brakes. It stops and starts with the car. :-)

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  3. KenThursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:18:00 AM PDT

    Nice one Greg, someday you will grow up and have a big boy trailer. Until such time, you will be fine stopping barbie's trailer with your Cobra

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  4. BullittThursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:46:00 AM PDT

    I have a Tekonsha brake controller (Prodigy I think - I'll look later) in my Expedition. They can be ordered with a Ford connector on them which plugs right into the factory wiring harness. It took about 10 minutes to install, and most of that was spent finding the plug underneath the dash.

    Mine has an accelerometer built into it, so it senses how hard I am braking and adjusts the level of current being sent to the trailer brakes accordingly. While this isn't a huge advantage during a normal, controlled stop, it will make a difference if the stop is a little less planned (read panic) as the controller will sense the increased level of braking on the tow vehicle and apply the brakes quicker on the trailer.

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  5. KenThursday, March 19, 2009 at 12:03:00 PM PDT

    Thanks Rick, so yours is NOT a timing version.


    I do have the harness, so all I need to do is wire it up and mount it...just not sure I want to go with this type

    the longet the foot on the brake pedal, the more it increases braking power...

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  6. GregThursday, March 19, 2009 at 12:33:00 PM PDT

    "Until such time, you will be fine stopping barbie's trailer with your Cobra"

    Hey, it's not pink!

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  7. BullittThursday, March 19, 2009 at 2:22:00 PM PDT

    A rattle can or two at 3:00AM when you are sleeping and it could be... wink wink

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  8. KenThursday, March 19, 2009 at 6:59:00 PM PDT

    Greg and his PINK trailer, we cn do that.



    Have the controller wired up, will report back tomorrow when I see how it works.

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  9. KenFriday, March 20, 2009 at 6:38:00 PM PDT

    OK, brake controller works, and if you set it to 80, you can easily lock up the trailer brakes :)


    We are ready to roll with the new trailer, pics to follow.

    Ken

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