Not sure if I don't understand or if I'm being fed more porky pies.
Picked up the new tug this morning - Ford territory diesel, with a HR heavy duty tow pack and WDH.
Now, I expected a brake controller (as we had one in the old tug). When I asked I was told we didn't need one as we have a connection through the electrical plug near the towbar.
I don't uderstand this, and asked if I need t install something else, and the guy said "No, trust me"
..... hum, I have trusted blokes before, but that's aother story.
Hi Rosie, I can only say for my situation. I have a Spaceland caravan and it weighs 2050kgs. I just purchased a 2007 Nissan Navara and had to have electric brakes fitted prior to towing this weight. I think you will find when towing anything more than more than 750 kgs you would need electric brakes fitted. What is a HR tow pack and WDH? My electric brakes cost me 330 fitted. cheers, Terry
I couldn't think of a reason why I wouldn't need a controller, but with all the new technology available, thought perhaps it was just another thing I hadn't encountered before. Have always towed using a tekonsha controller, and had asked for one to be fitted.
The thing is, when dealing with car salesmen, you never quite know what to believe and what not.
HR = hayman reece and WDH = wr=eight distribution hitch
Rosie, As the others have said, you'll need a quality brake controller added to the vehicle.
I'll also bet that the wiring is to Fords standard 12 pin flat plug. These are inadequate to accept a cable large enough to supply the vans fridge without a siginicant voltage drop.
Cheers, Ozjohn.
__________________
Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
When you thinking about a brake controller.....have a look where you think your going to put one.......some vehicles just dont have space for a tekonsha controller.......under dash....you might have to install a red-ark one......
I recently replaced my controller with a Tekonsha Prodigy and can highly recommend it. Take note that if installing one of these units that Tekonsha insist that the earth wire must be connected directly to the battery -ve terminal. If having the unit professionally installed make sure the sparky is aware of this requirement.
Also be aware that some vehicles may require a relay or other circuitry to be installed to interface with the brake pedal. I have a feeling Ford may be one of these vehicles. This applies to some other brands of controllers too.
-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 15th of August 2011 07:24:59 AM
I have a Redarc for sale really cheap. But to be quite frank, I'd cut my wrists before I would even use one again. I'm sure if one tries hard enough they'll find a suitable spot for a Tekinsha Prodigy. Cheers, ozjohn.
__________________
Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
I very so recently fitted the prodigy P3 to my new tug. Nice unit.
It's so important to Fit it close to the driver because the last thing you want to be doing is LOOKING for it at a critical moment.
I saw an idiot that had fitted his into the boot of his chariot - fool !
I very so recently fitted the prodigy P3 to my new tug. Nice unit. It's so important to Fit it close to the driver because the last thing you want to be doing is LOOKING for it at a critical moment. I saw an idiot that had fitted his into the boot of his chariot - fool !
An idiot in the third degree, I would think totaly illegal as well.
How can you adjust the bias, apply manualy if required ??????????????
__________________
Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
justcruisin01 wrote:How can you adjust the bias, apply manualy if required ??????????????
Yes, it is simple to set up and can be adjusted. As it's a proportional (inertia operated) controller it requires very little readjustment once set up. The trailer brakes alone can be applied but I find I need to do this much less frequently than with my previous controller.
Functionally it is similar to a pendulum controller but does not have to be mounted longitudinally horizontal like the older ones.
It is suitable for small trailers as well as large multi axle ones (up to four axles) and there are selectable settings for either type including where the trailer mass exceeds the towing vehicle's mass. It is not suitable for electric operated hydraulic trailer brakes.
surely jim, despite all of that (and you basically describe my P3), ONE should mount the thing where one can reach the emergency leaver without one needing to climb into the passengers seat OR take ones eyes off the road. I am sure you agree.
I can reach my controllers emergency leaver without taking my hand fully off the steering wheel. I dont need to look, I just let my fingers do the walking.
When everything goes from bad to worse, for whatever reason, I want as much advantage as possible. Call me an old fool, but its this theory that has worked well for me for almost a century now.......not quite but nearly - LOL!
surely jim, despite all of that (and you basically describe my P3), ONE should mount the thing where one can reach the emergency leaver without one needing to climb into the passengers seat OR take ones eyes off the road. I am sure you agree.
I certainly agree the controller should be readily accessible to the driver. Having owned both a Prodigy and a non-inertia type controller I believe the inertia type to be overall a much safer option.
In a rapid braking situation the trailer brakes automatically operate in correct proportion to the tow vehicles brakes. The need to use trailer brakes alone is much less frequent than with a non-inertia type controller.
As the Tekonsha does not have to be mounted horizontally in all three planes, unlike older inertia operated units, it offers a flexible choice of mounting options similar to most of the non-inertia types.
I realise you're aware of all this Jack but I mention it for the benefit of others reading this thread.
Jim
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 17th of August 2011 08:19:37 AM
I bought a Tekonsha Prodigy .......took it to an auto elect.........they couldnt find anywhere on or under the dash of my Pajero to mount it.......so I had to get a red-arc...its mounted on centre dash close to steering wheel...easy to operate
Jim & smokeman,
Jim, I do realize now old mate but when it came to fitting the p3 I thought it had to be horizontal & was relieved to see the fit instructions that basically only require the unit to face in the direction of travel and not be lopsided.
I removed a lug in the dash & constructed a bracket which protrudes thru the dash. It's all good.
When I was first looking at the job I was advised to goto the redarc for ease of fitment but I had read informatiOn that had suggested that the prodigy was the way to go and worth the extra effort for the actual fitting issues.
Each to their own and I have spoken to users of redarc who are happy with their units.
