Trailer Brake Controller questions

/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #21  
Another is the Brakesmart controller. A little spendy but probably closest to Ford's factory controller. The Brakesmart measures the hydraulic pressure at the master cylinder. Thus, the more you apply the brakes the harder it brakes the trailer. Very little adjustment needed.
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #22  
Brakesmart, Jordan, Prodigy, in that order. I've got a Jordan in my truck for now.
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #23  
Who would ever think that V.W. would ever have put a V-10 under the hood. sure looks like a nice ride.
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #24  
I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when she comes home. How can you compare a VW anything to a Volvo convertible?? You are going to need Homeland Security to protect your butt when she gets home.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions
  • Thread Starter
#25  
Junkman wrote <font color="red"> I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when she comes home. How can you compare a VW anything to a Volvo convertible?? You are going to need Homeland Security to protect your butt when she gets home....
</font>

First off this is my vehicle not hers. Secondly during the entire time I had the Volvo C70 she probalby drove it less than a dozen days. But to be honest, the VW has a much nicer interior than the Volvo and that came as a big surprise to me. The Volvo is nice in a very functional way, but as nice as they are, they lack little trim pieces that would go beyond function. The nicely equipped but NOT fully loaded VW Touareg is now parked next to the lovely Mrs_Bob's fully loaded top of the line Volvo XC90 and I think the Touareg is nicer inside!


Red Rocker wrote <font color="blue"> Brakesmart, Jordan, Prodigy, in that order. I've got a Jordan in my truck for now. </font>

I've been cruising the VW forums over this topic and find that there is apparently a problem with the Prodigy where it doesn't seem to get along with the electronics of the Touareg. It has been recommended NOT to use the Prodigy because it won't play nice, it runs with scissors, and talks back too. The Jordan has been recommended several times so I'm going to dig more into that unit to see what I can find out.
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #27  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...there is apparently a problem with the Prodigy where it doesn't seem to get along with the electronics of the Touareg. It has been recommended NOT to use the Prodigy because it won't play nice, it runs with scissors, and talks back too. )</font>

Bob,
That's a tough one, runs with scissors and talks back! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif And it's not like you can download the right driver for it... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #28  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Junkman,
Oh, let me see... <font color="teal">VW Phaeton...</font>

Those are nice! )</font>


Color: Black Klavierlack
Interior: Petrol w/Classic Sensitive Perforated Leather Seat Trim

Base MSRP†: $ 96,100
Destination Fee: $ 655
Black Klavierlack $ N/C
Gas Guzzler Tax $ 3,000
Chestnut Wood Trim $ 500
Keyless Access $ 500
Electronic Parking Assistance $ 700
Comfort Package $ 1,790
"Klavierlack" High Gloss Finish $ 2,000
Total MSRP: $ 105,745


For a VW??????? I don't think so....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions
  • Thread Starter
#29  
Junkman, my Touareg is not the nicest they make (its got about 2/3rds of the goodies), but it has sensors on the bumpers to help with parking, an air conditioned glove box to cool bottles of wine, auto dimming exterior mirrors, a talking navigation system, a radio that mutes when the phone rings, syncronized mirror motors, and just about every adustable setting can be customized to my tastes so the stereo starts up at a the volume it was at, or at a preselected maximum, depending on my choice, the footwell lights can be set to 10%, 20%, etc. The remote can be programed to open one door, all door, or the doors and hatchback. And there are a lot of details that are nice like the little sliding drawer under the passenger's seat to store a handgun, or the slide up shades that retract into both rear doors to shade the rear passengers, don't forget about the 4 zone heat/AC control, and the 5 sun visors for the front passengers to block the sun from just about any angle you can imagine. Adjustable air ride suspension, dual locking differentials are available, but I only have the rear locking differentail on my Toureg. And if you are a power junkie, you can get a V10 diesel with something north of 650 pounds of torque!


ANYONE . . . is the Brakesmart unit available to purchase? It looks like the best unit I have found, but I can't find it for sale. I would say the Jordan Ultima is also better looking than the Prodigy, but I'd spring the big bucks for the Brakesmart if I can find one.
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #30  
One that I have not seen mentioned is the Reese controller. I have the least expensive unit, the Brakeman. It worked well on my F-250 and now my F-150. I towed a 5,000 lb camper with no probs at all.
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #31  
I can picture this in my mind now........ a $60,000 car pulling a trailer full of mulch on a $3000 trailer by a eccentric guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts........ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #32  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Total MSRP: $ 105,745

For a VW??????? I don't think so......)</font>

Junkman,
You do know who VW owns these days,
Some pretty classy brands:
Audi
Bently
Bugatti
Lamborghini
SEAT (Spain)
Skoda (Czech.)

They are trying to remove themselves from the "bug" image! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #33  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Junkman, my Touareg is not the nicest they make (its got about 2/3rds of the goodies), but it has sensors on the bumpers to help with parking, an air conditioned glove box to cool bottles of wine, auto dimming exterior mirrors, a talking navigation system, a radio that mutes when the phone rings, syncronized mirror motors, and just about every adustable setting can be customized to my tastes so the stereo starts up at a the volume it was at, or at a preselected maximum, depending on my choice, the footwell lights can be set to 10%, 20%, etc. The remote can be programed to open one door, all door, or the doors and hatchback. And there are a lot of details that are nice like the little sliding drawer under the passenger's seat to store a handgun, or the slide up shades that retract into both rear doors to shade the rear passengers, don't forget about the 4 zone heat/AC control, and the 5 sun visors for the front passengers to block the sun from just about any angle you can imagine. Adjustable air ride suspension, dual locking differentials are available, but I only have the rear locking differentail on my Toureg. And if you are a power junkie, you can get a V10 diesel with something north of 650 pounds of torque!

)</font>

Sounds just about like my Audi allroad! Similar capabilities in a much smaller package, plus only rated to tow 3500 lbs...but that's ok, if I need something bigger hauled, I just use my Tundra!
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions
  • Thread Starter
#34  
</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I can picture this in my mind now........ a $60,000 car pulling a trailer full of mulch on a $3000 trailer by a eccentric guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts........ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>


My trailer was only $1400!
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #35  
BTW, Bob aren't you going to have a little bit of trouble hiding the VW in the garage? I mean, it isn't like a tractor implement or something that you can go out and get dirty (well, OK you can /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and shove it back in a corner somewhere to hide it. I'm surprised by now that Mrs. Bob hasn't caught on to your trick and started hiring a Baby Sitter for you while she is gone. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I can hear it now, your only objective this week is to keep him away from any store, the phone, and the Internet where he can buy any thing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Of course, I could come out the next time she is out of town and see how much we could really spend. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions
  • Thread Starter
#36  
The whole time she was out of town she kept asking me what I bought. So she obviously caught on to the concept of her being away and me buying a toy! One day she even asked if I had bought a "car" to which I could truthfully answer NO I DIDN'T BUY A CAR. That had her puzzled because she obviously knew I was doing something in my spare time.

But knowing I couldn't hide it, I just decided the best bet was to pick her up from the airport in it.

She still has not driven it, nor has she asked to drive it. I'm not sure if it is just the lovely Mrs_Bob, or if it is all mom's of school age kids, but when she get a car, it looks like it has been "lived in" about an hour after she takes possession. My cars, on the other hand, rarely look like they have seen much more than normal use. A very wise TBN member just sent me an email that reads "cars are an extention of a woman's closet" so I guess it is not just the lovely Mrs_Bob who makes a mess of their car.

But dare I say, we have strayed from my question!!!

And I'm finding that the most recommended brake controller is not compatible with the Touareg's wiring. Anyone have any further insights into the Brakesmart unit or the Jordan Ultima?
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #37  
Here are some links that might help you in your endeavor for a brake controller. controller 1 controller 2 . These are the two you are asking about. Here is a link to an rv forum that will tell you all you want to know and more about brake controllers RV forum . Personally I still think Carharts would look good with Hawaiian shirts. Oh and my truck has a beer chiller, pretty fancy and believe it or not, you can remove it from the truck /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I also have a collision warning and navigation system in the truck, the downside of that is it tends to get a little bossy and has to make frequent stops for powder room breaks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #38  
Hobbyfarm

They may be trying to distance themselves from the "Bug" image but they have a horrible reputation as far as quality control and reliability is concerned. They are at the bottom of almost everyones list. And they have developed a reputation in the US of not standing behind their cars. My personal experience is 100% lemons. Check out: http://www.vwsucks.com

RonL
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions
  • Thread Starter
#39  
Ron, as this is my first VW experience since a '68 squareback, I dug around a bit before buying. I ran across a bunch of folks who HATE VW and a bunch who LOVE VW. It seems there is no middle ground. One thing I know is that I like what I have . . . so far. I have no idea what reliability will be. But the actuarials on them are not as bad as the "hate" groups seem to make them out to be, and they certainly are not as good as the "love" groups would have one believe either!

One thing I will say, is that they are unique and have a different character than any brand I've owned before.

Heck just trying to find a brake controller that works with their electrical system seems to be a challenge /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
/ Trailer Brake Controller questions #40  
<font color="blue">I can picture this in my mind now........ a $60,000 car pulling a trailer full of mulch on a $3000 trailer by a eccentric guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts........ </font>

Hahahahaha!!! Very nice! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

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