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Is this right for you? Product Expert Kathleen M says:
The large buttons and colored LCD display on this proportional brake controller make it easy to see and easy to use. Store and customize your settings so you can easily swap out trailers and drivers and get towing.
Features:
Specs:
Braking output is the maximum amount of power that will be applied to your trailer's brakes. How much braking output you need is determined by the weight of your trailer; a heavier trailer will need more power to bring it to a stop. Use the arrow buttons on the front of the module to set the output. You want to set the braking output as high as you can without locking up the brakes. Once you've set up the brake controller the first time, you shouldn't need to adjust this setting unless the trailer load changes, you switch trailers, or road conditions change. The LCD display will show the current output setting being used.
The boost setting controls the aggressiveness of your trailer's braking, meaning how quickly the brakes reach the maximum braking level. You can adjust this when you're towing heavy loads and you need more umph to bring your trailer to a stop. Your tow vehicle doesn't need that much power to brake in time, but your heavy trailer does.
Depending on the level of boost, your trailer brakes can start at either 13 percent or 25 percent of the set braking output. What this means is that, instead of starting at 0, the brakes will start at 25 percent and get to100 percent sooner. This keeps the trailer from pushing your tow vehicle forward.
If your trailer weighs less than your tow vehicle, no boost is needed. But, if you want your trailer to lead the braking, you can select level B1.
Boost Levels:
| Approximate Gross Trailer Weight | Boost Level | Increase in Initial Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| Less than tow vehicle GVW | B1 | 13% |
| Equal to tow vehicle GVW | B1 or B2 | 13% or 25% |
| Up to 25% more than tow vehicle GVW | B2 or B3* | 25% |
| Up to 40% more than tow vehicle GVW | B3* | 25% |
*Both B2 and B3 offer a 25-percent boost in initial power. But the braking curve for B3 is more aggressive than that of B2. This means that, even though you will start out with the same intensity when using these boost levels, you will get an overall more aggressive braking experience with the higher level. So if you use B3, you will reach maximum braking sooner than if you use B2.
Storable Settings
Customize the P3 and store your settings so that you can easily access them later. If you tow multiple trailers, or the same one but with differing loads, store the desired boost and power levels for each so that you don't have to completely reset the controller every time you switch between trailers. It's easy to swap between drivers as well. Program the P3 display with your desired screen color, brightness, and language, and you can easily return it to your preferred settings the next time you tow.
The P3's LCD display features a distinctive look with multiple color and contrast options. With lots of customized options, you can change the display to make it easy for you to see and check your braking status at a glance.
It also includes comprehensible and detailed roadside diagnostics. The P3 advanced diagnostics not only notify you of potential problems, but they can also tell you where to begin troubleshooting.
Diagnostic troubleshooting displays include:
Diagnostic warning signs include:
Safety Features
The Prodigy P3 offers advanced safety features to prevent damage to various components of your towing setup. Integrated reverse battery protection shields the brake controller and your trailer's breakaway system from shorts. When the P3 is not in use, it will be in power-saving mode. In this setting, it draws only 3.6 milliamps, minimizing drain on your vehicle's battery.
The P3 also comes equipped with a hold feature to prevent wear on your brakes. When you're waiting at a red light, you don't need your trailer brakes on at full power. The longer you sit there, the more they will overheat. But with the P3, any time your tow vehicle and trailer are at a standstill with the brakes applied for more than 5 seconds, the hold feature will kick on and reduce power to just 25 percent. This will keep your trailer in place while saving your brakes.
The P3 keeps the manual override within easy reach, great for stopping sway or controlling your trailer's momentum in emergencies. To engage the manual override, just twist the rotary-style lever from right to left. This will activate the trailer's brakes and brake lights without you having to apply the brakes on your tow vehicle, perfect for limiting trailer movement while you're cruising.
The self-leveling feature of the P3 ensures that the brake controller continues to function even as you drive up steep hills or through the mountains. Simply mount it in your cab at any vertical angle, and the controller will level itself automatically thanks to its 360-degree rotational range. This makes the installation that much easier. But keep in mind that the P3 must be horizontally level and parallel with the direction of travel to work correctly.
Installation is a snap. After mounting the P3 unit in your cab using the included bracket, hardwire one end of the included pigtail harness directly into your vehicle. The other end plugs into the brake controller. To remove the P3 for storage when you're not using it, just unplug the unit and slide it out of the bracket. With a replacement wiring harness (sold separately) and replacement bracket (TK5906 - sold separately), you can even transfer the Prodigy P3 to another vehicle.
Installation Accessories
For even easier installation, a vehicle-specific specific wiring adapter (sold separately) is available for most newer trucks and SUVs. One end of the custom adapter plugs into your vehicle, and the other end plugs into the controller - no hardwiring required.
See also etrailer.com's exclusive 7- and 4-way brake-control installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately) if you don't already have a 7-way plug at the back of your vehicle.
Note: If a custom brake control wiring adapter is not available for your vehicle, one of the following will be required:
20-Amp circuit breaker (9506P - sold separately) for 2- to 4-brake applications
30-Amp circuit breaker (38630 - sold separately) for 6- to 8-brake applications
The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller comes equipped with proportional braking to give you the best towing experience. Proportional braking means that your trailer brakes mimic your tow vehicle's brakes. If you slam on the brakes in your vehicle, your trailer brakes will activate with the same intensity; if you brake lightly, your trailer brakes lightly too. The trailer's braking is in proportion to your vehicle's braking. This saves wear and tear on the tires and the brakes on both your vehicle and trailer.
The Prodigy P3 uses an internal inertia sensor to detect how your vehicle is braking so it can send the right amount of braking power to your trailer. It measures the inertia of your tow vehicle and activates the trailer's brakes to slow at the same rate. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time.
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Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (5419 Customer Reviews)
The large buttons and colored LCD display on this proportional brake controller make it easy to see and easy to use. Store and customize your settings so you can easily swap out trailers and drivers and get towing.
This Tekonsha Prodigy P3 was recommended to be by a friend who works at an RV dealership service center. This is my fifth trailer brake controller over a forty-year period, and my first progressive controller. I really love this controller. My truck has a factory towing package, but was manufactured prior to inclusion of integrated controllers. Since the truck has factory towing, the installation was very simple. The installation instructions were clear and complete. I would definitely recommend this controller to anyone looking for a dependable, easy to install and easy to use controller.
Ronald - 04/27/2022I mounted my Tekonsha P3 on the dash just to the left of the steering wheel. Has very easy access to quickly activate the lever on the bottom of the unit to apply maximum trailer brakes. But I needed a wiring harness almost double the length of the Tekonsha Wiring Adapter so I just purchased two and spliced them together to make one long one......yea I could have saved money and just sliced in longer wires....Am very happy with the Tekonsha P3, With this mount it makes it easy to disconnect and put into my Ford F150 or my Tacoma.
Wayne - 08/01/2022The new controller is working great! Do like P3, better control than the primus. Chased 3 different issues getting brakes working again, all of which the online support from etrailer helped me solve.
The Prodigy P3 came on just as the instructions said it would. Although I have not used it yet it looks good in my ‘15 LX. I look forward to great service towing my 20’ flat trailer with tractor, rotary cutter and box blade. My to the staff at etrailer.
Dennis - 08/29/2022The support bracket for this is unacceptable because the standoff from the dash is more than 1" and it puts the controller against my right knee. The mount for the controller in your video was almost flush against the dash and that's what I thought I was getting.
We replaced a 30 year old Tekonsha Voyager with this P3. On the first test run to adjust, the brakes have never worked this well!! Easy to install! I’ve added photos of our project trailer that we have inherited. 30 years old, garaged its whole life, not many miles on it. With your help, we have been upgrading and replacing things that didn’t work, from lack of use. I can’t say enough good things about Etrailer! Your people are the best!! Thank you ETRAILER!!
Carl - 02/14/2023Top quality brake controller. Automatic leveling. Get the wiring harness for your tow vehicle. This makes installation easy.
A year ago, I switched from a "dumb" brake controller to this computerized one with numerous features. It really gives you proportional control, and knows to ease off as you come to a complete stop (my last controller would always give me a good jerk at the end of a stop).
Other features include letting you know if your cable is not making a proper connection with your trailer (if it comes out of the receptacle or you forget to connect it, you get a big red "No Trailer" message on the screen. That might help you avoid damage, embarrassment, an expensive repair, or a tragedy.
Gary - 12/19/2022I towed my single axle travel trailer over 3500 miles last summer and this controller worked great! I like that it is versatile and can be easily readjusted for towing different trailer types.
Jim M - 01/21/2023I have a 2018 BMW X2 that did not come with a factory tow package. I had an etrailer hitch and 4 way plug installed last year and has been perfect since. I just recently purchased a camper and needed to have a Brake controller & Brake controller 7 way deluxe kit installed. My mechanic installed them with the detailed instructions that the units came with without any issues. The Tekonsha P3 is extremely user friendly and is working flawlessly. A bit overkill for my car being I can only tow max 3500 pounds, and my camper is 1 axel. this unit is rated up to 3 axles. I look at it like this way, when I trade in my BMW I will take my P3 with me. etrailer is amazing with the support & products they provide and I highly recommend them to anyone who asks me.
teresa - 12/24/2021This brake booster is awesome. It’s so much more intelligent than the ones that come built into these new trucks. So many settings and options. Install was a breeze with the additional wire kit. I did have an issue with noise coming from the brakes on the trailer when they were applied and released, but I found out I had selected an option for a trailer that was much heavier than mine. I went down a setting and now it’s much quieter.
It does not progressively apply the trailer brakes it’s all or nothing! Very disappointed! I bought this controller because it was supposed to work with the electric over hydraulic trailer brakes and yes I have it on the correct settings for my triple axle double deck car trailer. Because it doesn’t progressively apply the brakes I have had to replace nearly new tires because of flat spots. If you have any suggestions I’m all ears!
Heather A - 10/12/2022Unit worked great tested with load force meter . Good out put . Always powered with key off . Hot in Vegas so will disconnect when not in use
Purchased the P3 for a 2020 Ford Ranger. A few days after install, I was advised by service Tech that the P3 is not approved for the Ford ranger due to lack of accommodation for the Ford Ranger anti-collision system. In an emergency braking issues generated by the system. The Brake controller would not sense that braking leading to a possible accident. The only brake controller approved by Ford is the Redark Tow pro which has an extra wire that ties into the 3rd brake light which is activated under system generated emergency braking. After a run a round, E-Trailer refuses to refund or correct the problem and apparently accepts full liability for any injuries, death or property damage that could occur due to the issue. Redark Tow Pro Elite - The only FORD APPROVED trailer brake controller compatible with all vehicle safety systems including:
Forward Collision Warning System
Automatic Emergency Braking
An updated product that works extremely well. I moved a 35’ travel trailer with my 1 ton pickup After making sure the trailer breaks were in working condition, setting the controller to the appropriate voltage for stopping percentage, the system operated perfectly. The trailer was centered very well so there was no sway. But when braking was required, the system worked perfectly. Easy to install and with the plug adapter for my pickup, it was “plug and play”. Well done, Tekonsha and many thanks etrailer.com. You folks always seem to come up with the right product at a great price just when I need it…thanks again…
The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 works better than any brake controller I've ever owned. Because there is a connection to the brake light circuit, even the slightest pressure on the brake pedal results in trailer braking action. Braking action becomes progressively stronger as one continues to apply pressure to the brake pedal. This, of course, is all adjustable to suit your specific needs and preferences. Less sophisticated brake controllers require measurable slowing of the tow vehicle before the brake controller will apply any braking action to the trailer. In my opinion the Prodigy P3 offers the smoothest and safest trailer braking available.
First, a huge "Thank You" to Janice!!! You are the best, and the main reason I am the proud owner of Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller! (see, I initially had an issue with my standard online payment service and almost canceled my order because of it) So I went old school and picked up the phone, one with a cord and spoke to a human being. Her name is Janice, and she made me feel confident that I could trust her and etrailer. And as a result, 4 days after placing my order with her I received my package. That's incredible. I am very happy and will most certainly do business with etrailer again in the future because of Janice.
I don't have any experience with brake controllers. So I can't really comment on how much better or worse this one is to any others. But since I am new to the B/C scene maybe this can be considered an unbiased, non professional review of the Tekonsha P3.
My general skill level is "requires supervision around all power tools". But I do have some mechanical ability (snicker). So I will just say, if I could install this thing anyone should be able to do it. Of course I also bought the OEM wiring harness for my vehicle so even I was able to figure out which plug went where. On A scale of 1 to 10 I give it a 3 (I'm somewhat large and getting under the dash wasn't easy or it would be a 1). And as others have said, deciding where to mount it actually took longer.
I attached mine to the top of the lower dash cowl and it fits almost tight to the dash but still within the 180 degree limit. This positions the controller at the same height as my knee and puts it within fingertip reach while resting my hand on my knee. I can see the controller perfectly through the steering wheel spokes. I went with the green screen background. it seemed to provide the best view in all lighting conditions.
The controller itself works perfectly and the set-up was a breeze. Once installed all the functions worked as described. The real time vehicle diagnostics are a plus. I like being able to monitor my battery voltage to the decimal place if I want to. I'm sort of a techno geek so this is really cool. I set the B/C voltage per the instructions and will only use the boost feature if I am in a hurry or feel the trailer is at max load, but my truck is 8k lbs so you may want to set yours to suit your own conditions.
I highly recommend the Tekonsha P3 brake Controller if you want the latest and probably the best controller out there in this price range. I highly recommend the OEM wiring harness if your skills are not pit crew comprable and want the easiest install possible. And, I highly recommend you buy it from etrailer if you want to get it at the best price available (I checked them all) and want the added security you're buying from one of the best online retailers that sells this product. And do yourself a favor, go old school for a change, use the phone and call them, and ask for Janice, although I'm willing to bet everyone there is as nice as her.
Rob
Installed P3 this weekend in 2013 Tundra Crewmax with towing package and pre-wire. Extremely easy, even with the center console installation. Will let the photos tell the story. Did have to combine the P3 included harness with the additional OEM harness to gain the length I needed. Plug and play with the pre-wire. Hooked up to trailer and set boost levels for varying loads. Works great! Vast improvement over older model Tekonsha controller in my Ram 2500 Diesel. Pull a Kiefer BP horse trailer: about 3600 lbs empty, 7500 with 3 quarter horses and gear. Usually pull 6-8 times per year, with only 1-2 horses. Short distance and flat terrain. It took about an hour to install. Dad is a retired USAF/FAA radar technician with every tool known to man. He QC'd the job. Will try to write better review later.
George J,
Wanted to write good points about your customer service and the Tekonska braking system. Included are multiple pictures of the unit installed on my VW SUV.
First off, I am not an expert in any way in installing and wiring. I had the good fortune of having Steve Kunzel, master mechanic at Westside VW in Minneapolis install the unit.(see Fig 1) The first unit sent did not function and was quickly replaced by etrailer.com at no charge. Second unit is pictured (fig 2) and works well. The trailer is used for caring dogs and gear to various dog events and hunting. The trailer weight is about 4500 pounds and the electronic braking system is necessary for good control of the SUV and trailer when braking. Thanks for all your help getting me up and running.
Mark N - 08/30/2017Installed this on my GMC 3500 Duramax with factory integrated brake controller. Not happy with the integrated brake controller on my truck, had problems from the start on 3 different occasions with "Service Trailer Brake" warning on DIC, which of course means NO TRAILER BRAKES. Decided the P3 was the perfect solution. Many more features than the IBC, plus the P3 will also work with electric over hydraulic disc brakes should we ever need that in the future. Fairly easy install on this particular truck, the most difficult thing was running the brake wire from the controller to the 7-pin plug. (This is only required when installing in a vehicle with a factory installed brake control) Well worth the extra effort.
I had to build a custom bracket for the controller mount since the X is limited in under dash metal but the install went well. The 7 pin trailer harness is a factory Nissan part (plug and play) , but since the receiver does not have the any mounting brackets, I positioned the 7 pin connector up and out of the way of harm by drilling and flush mounting it in the rear bumper. Thanks for carrying products relevant to your customer's needs and having products that work right. I have attached some pics from the finished install. I will be ordering accessories as I need them from your company as you have always been prompt, thorough and very courteous in all of your correspondence.
I was in the market for a controller for my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and this was a great controller and the price from etrailer was very competitive with other sites. What ended-up being the deciding factor for me on where to purchase the controller was the ease-of-use of the etrailer site. They made it simple to find and compare controllers and getting the correct wiring harness for my application was easy.
In addition to the site they have outstanding customer service. The controller was shipped the day after I ordered it (on a Saturday no less) with free upgraded shipping. They even followed-up with me once the controller arrived at my house. I wish all sites had this level of customer service!
Hi, I got my Item: 90195 and shipping was fast. I was able to get the break controller installed in my 2012 Cadillac Escalade Luxury using the etrailer.com video guide for a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. The install and wiring was the exact same as the video however my wires under the dash or wire bundle did not have a wiring sticker. The color of the wires were the same as in the video. This etrailer video is great and I used it to get my controller installed in about 1.5 hours. My install was trouble free.
This weekend I was able to test out the my new P3 90195 controller and get it calibrated with my 29 foot travel trailer this weekend. Used a B2 setting with 8.0 power. The user guide and instructions you get with the controller help you know what settings to use and how to set the power level.
This is my second controller as I got a P2 Tekonsha from etrailer about 4-5 years back and installed it in a 2007 trail blazer. This older 2P break controller is still working great. I have been rather happy with the quality of the Tekonsha controllers I have. I have not had to call etrailer for support or install questions but did receive a few emails from them to check in with me to ensure I got my shipment and offer me help. They do a good job supporting and responding to their customers and provide an A+ customer experience.
BradG - 10/09/2017First and foremost purchasing anything from ETRAILER is easy and fast. There is always someone following up on your purchase and if there is an issue it is quickly resolved. I purchased the Prodigy 3 brake controller along with the wiring kit for my 2017 Nissan Titan SV and installed it myself with the help of the tutorials on ETRAILERS website and it was very easy to do. I will continue to shop at ETRAILER.
Juan - 08/28/2019
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