mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
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I'm looking to replace my existing brake controller, I don't like the one I have as it doesn't seem to do much other than stop the trailer or make stopping kinda awkward. What brake controllers do you recommend and at what price?
With my newer 5ver, my truck squats so I am in need of airbags and would like to know if Firestone single compressor (to fill both bags rather than needing two compressors to fill each. Les Schwab wants $950, is that a good price?
Will airbags be enough to dampen bouncing when going across road sections or bumps? What would you recommend? Timberens? Can Timberens be used with airbags? If so, how much are timberens? I've also read alittle on air ride systems, I'm sure these are spendy however would I still need one even after the airbags are put in?
Edited for better reading  my apologies
* This post was
edited 11/06/09 09:13am by mynetdude *
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DznyFan
Northern VA
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I'll take a shot at some answers. First off, I've only ever used the Prodigy brake controller so I have nothing to compare to. I've been using the same one for five years now and it's been great. I purchased it for around $90 and bought the Ford specific wiring harness for around $13. Other brake controllers that get good reviews are the BrakeSmart and TruControl but they can be costly.
I have Firestone air bags and an Air Lift WirelessAIR system for inflation/deflation. The air bags were around $300 and the WirelessAIR is around $325 (both can be found at Amazon). I love the WirelessAIR system. It allows me to air up both bags simultaneously or individually. I can even air up the bags from outside the cab so I can visualize if my Ex is level. You cannot use Timbrens with air bags, at least on my Ex, since the air bags go where the Timbrens would go. When I first installed the air bags I used a small portable compressor. It worked OK but I'd have to inflate each bag separately then get out the pressure gauge. It was time consuming and no fun in hot or rainy weather. Next I installed the Air Lift SureSet controller which allowed me to inflate/deflate the air bags from inside the cab. It was much nicer, especially in hot weather. When I experienced a problem with the controller I upgraded to the WirelessAIR. It has two memory setting and can control up to four air bags. Now I can just push a button and do something else while the air bags inflate or deflate. Having towed with and without the air bags I can say, from my experience, it has made a heck of a difference. The Excursion is known for having a squishy rear end and the air bags do great leveling things out. I also feel that running the air bags at about 10 lbs. when not towing gives a more comfortable ride. Don't make the mistake of running the air bags at your tow setting when not towing as the ride can be harsher.
Air Lift makes air bags and Firestone makes air controller systems so you can go with the same manufacturer for both or mix them like I did. I went with Firestone for the air bags since they had a no-drill kit for my vehicle and I didn't really know about Air Lift at the time. When I decided to get an onboard air controller I went with Air Lift since the SureSet did not require air lines to be run into the cab. The WirelessAIR is even better. You can click the links in my sig for more information.
2006 Fleetwood Wilderness 3102BDS
2004 Excursion XLT 4x4 V10 4.30
Ride-Rite Air Bags | Air Lift WirelessAIR
Hensley Arrow | Prodigy
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Sandy & Shirley
North East, MD
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Most of the comments here are that the Prodigy P3 is the best bang for the buck. Most say that the brake smart is the best controller, but it costs at least 4 times as much as the P3 by the time you have it installed and it is not 4 times better, just better. It really depends on what you are pulling. If you have a 13 or 14 thousand pound rig, think about the brake smart, if your pulling a 23 foot TT, go for the P3.
'02 F350 7.3PSD CC LB DRW, Reese 20K Hitch, Brake Smart, AirLift, C-betr mirrors,
'04 Everest 343L, TrailAir, RotoChoks, Wayne's stabilizer
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mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
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I don't want to run out of money upgrading both the truck and trailer or only doing one or the other and at the same time making sure I am not skimping on components.
I'm not a mech inclined person so having a shop do it all is to my benefit for the fact they know (or at least they should) and liability FWIW. Les Schwab will install the firestone airbags and controller for me, though I would like to have the ability to do it from the outside without having to use a compressor which would be handy, how is this done?
the rig I am pulling is 35' Dutchmen am told its about 13,000lbs with a hitch weight of less than 2,800lbs any more than that I'd need duallys or a bigger TV.
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JR45
Warren/OR/USA
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On my 97 F350 PSD I have the Prodigy BC and Timberens and if you have a 9/16" endwrench and can remove one bolt you can install a set of Timberens!! Here is an application guide http://www.stengelbros.com/TimbrenApplicationGuide.htm
This is where I got mine $229.95+free shipping they only work when you need them. http://www.truckspring.com/timbren_285.html
JR
06 F350 4x4 PSD Lariat FX4 CC LB
Coolant Filtration System
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LarryJM
NoVa
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mynetdude wrote:I'm looking to replace my existing brake controller, I don't like the one I have as it doesn't seem to do much other than stop the trailer or make stopping kinda awkward. What brake controllers do you recommend and at what price?
With my newer 5ver, my truck squats so I am in need of airbags and would like to know if Firestone single compressor (to fill both bags rather than needing two compressors to fill each. Les Schwab wants $950, is that a good price?
IMHO using things like airbags to correct for what appears to be an obvious overloaded condition is a recipe for disaster and I would never endorse that. Get enough truck for the load you are carrying.
Will airbags be enough to dampen bouncing when going across road sections or bumps? What would you recommend? Timberens? Can Timberens be used with airbags? If so, how much are timberens? I've also read alittle on air ride systems, I'm sure these are spendy however would I still need one even after the airbags are put in?
Sorry, but it still sounds like you are looking for a bandaid for a broke system ... not enough truck for the load you are trying to put on it ... I can only say DON'T DO THIS if you care about your family and it's safety. You have not given what you are towing so we have no idea what you are facing load or length wise.
Edited for better reading my apologies
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974.
ALL TRAILER MODS>>ETERNABOND INSTALL>>RAINKAP INSTALL
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JR45
Warren/OR/USA
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What year F350 do you have?? my 97 has a GVWR of 9200lbs and my 06 has a GVWR of 11500lbs.
JR
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bcoakley
Bishop, CA.
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Larry, he didn't ask if he had enough truck. Don't jack the thread to give your weight police opinion.
2005 Ford F250 6.0 Super Duty
2007 Cyclone 3795
2008 Yamaha R6
2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Special Edition
2006 Yamaha Wolverine 450
2004 Yamaha WR450
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mynetdude
Grants Pass, OR
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JR45 wrote:What year F350 do you have?? my 97 has a GVWR of 9200lbs and my 06 has a GVWR of 11500lbs.
JR
Forgot to mention that I have a 2001 F350 SRW, I have the 7.3L Diesel Turbo PS engine.
I'd like to replace the brake controller because it doesn't provide smooth stopping even with my previous 26' 1993 Terry, the trailer bucks and/or pulls at the truck when stopping and the same thing is happening to my 03 Dutchmen only at a higher setting so I know its not the truck's ability to stop it, the controller is doing taht IMHO.
As for the airbags, maybe it is overloaded but then again I got told by several potential sellers (I would always bring my truck when I go look at 5vers) that I might need airbags as I have looked at an '07 31' Weekend Warrior with no slides, etc.
I drove a seller's '05 F350 6.4L the truck was very similar to mine only he had tow haul on his and I towed his 5ver with it and it didn't sag like mine although he had SRW but of course his was flat bed and didn't have the bedrails to add the weight to it.
I towed it the 35 miles to get an idea of what my truck could do and it did just fine going over Sexton pass which has some fairly steep inclines going up AND down running anywhere from 2,600rpm to 2,800rpm at 55-65mph with the OD off. I monitored the only temperature gauge I have and it made no change whatsoever.
I might be inclined to agree that the 5ver might be a little heavy on the suspension, not for the engine/power capabilities so I think getting a stronger suspension system would be ideal along with a much better brake controller.
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Willcamp4
Nevada
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I have a 2000 F-250 which has about the same load limitations as the F-350. I installed the Air Lifts on mine with the on-board compressor. Unfortunately I don't have the remote for my compressor, but I'm really happy with mine anyway. I didn't install mine to correct an overload as some might think, but as you mention; to be able to adjust the ride level and to adjust for different types of roads and curves.
On bouncy roads I can keep the truck off the overload springs, increase the pressure for better handling on mountain roads and even adjust for rythmic bouncing on the interstates and changes in altitude. I am happy I installed the system and it wasn't too difficult to do myself, even though I had to do some drilling. It would be even easier to do with a kit that doesn't require the air lines to run into the cab as mine does.
Willcamp4
2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty, CC, Lariat, PSTD/Trans Craft Auto, Air Lift suspension, ATS turbo, DP 4 position chip.
Alpenlite Valhalla Limited Fifth Wheel, two Solar panels, four six-volt batteries, two Honda EU2000i generators
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