This was a very easy installation of the hitch, wiring harness and trailer brake. Less than 2 hours with some help from my wife. All of the electrical was plug-n-play. I'm sure doing it myself (with help from [online]) saved me a lot of money.1583711

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Tekonsha P3 brake controller was easy to install. Stacey got me the right wire adapter f ou r my 2022 Frontier. Basically Plug and Play install.1641684

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by: Ronald04/25/2021

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.1021416

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After a year of use, I am very happy with my beak controller. I would purchase this controller again, without any hesitation. I highly recommend it.

Ronald - 04/27/2022

137712

What truck did you install this on?

-- comment by: John H - 08/04/2022

145692

by: Wayne04/25/2021

I 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.1021569

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Still lovin it! Works Great!

Wayne - 08/01/2022

145505

I’ve used a Prodigy P2 for 8 years and have been pleased with its performance. I now have a new tow vehicle and will use the P3. The detailed product information on your website and the availability of wiring harness adapters is a convenient bonus.1329381

Superb. I’d buy it again and again.

Bob G - 07/16/2023

173265

The 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.1467776

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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.1123242

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Rodigy P3 brake controller works good. It is especially helpful on the nearly mile long descent to the low water bridge crossed on the trip to the Woodz where I spend time maintaining the deer hunting acreage.

Dennis - 08/29/2022

147509

This product, the P3 Trailer Brake Controller, is replacing the in dash Ford brake controller. I was previously unable to get a dashboard readout, even though the brakes were working. I had replaced the brake controllers twice, the first one quit working completely, when I decided to install this one. So far I am very happy with it and it was very easy to install using the plug in wire adapter, #22292, I purchased with the brake controller. I installed it on a 2016 Ford F-150. We are pulling a 24 ft. travel trailer. Thank You!1622926

The 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.1505664

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by: Jim 06/23/2023

The Tekonsha prodigy brake controller has been a great purchase. I use the setting for a electric over hydraulic disc brakes on a gooseneck trailer . I also use it on standard drum brakes on a variety of trailers from a snowmobile trailer to a equipment trailer. One of my favorite parts about Tekonsha prodigy is you can have different brake settings for different trailers or conditions. I will definitely buy again.1607126

Hanging the controller was pretty easy—removed my ashtray and used the ashtray support frame’s two screws to attach the controller’s hanger—almost looks professional.
Finding out which stop light wire (there are four on my ‘98 Tacoma) to tap into and then actually doing the tapping was challenging. The four wires are very short (took my dash apart including removing the instrument panel and even so could barely reach/touch the four wires let alone tap into all four to test) and they end in a four-pin female/male plug that forms the top half of the stop light switch.

My solution was to install an 8” long, four-wire pigtail from the female half of the four-pin connector to the male half thus giving me 8” of access to the wiring to determine which stop light wire the controller red wire should tap into. You can purchase said pigtail online for about $XXX plus shipping, or you can make your own using scrap wire and male and female wire ends that plug into the female and male halves of the truck’s stop light switch. That’s what I did, spending $20 in the process. Once your pigtail is installed, it’s short work to test all four wires. After tapping into the correct stop light wire, remove the pigtail and reconnect the halves of the original plug (it’s less likely to come apart than if you used the pigtail permanently).

On my first test drive, the controller read-out showed two to eight volts were being applied to the electric trailer brakes. Obviously this would have huge engine overheating and gas mileage implications if it were constantly occurring but on my second test drive the read-out stayed at 0.0 volts as it should when not braking.1606637

by: Steve 06/25/2023

I’ve used this controller for a year, upgraded from the older red, yellow, green Tekonsha. This model has worked great on my 99 F 350 with both an older 5 ton flat bed trailer and a new 8 ton goose neck dump trailer. The proportional aspect works great and is a vast improvement of the on/off concept of older models. The manual control under the unit was also very helpful in breaking-in the new brakes on the dump trailer. I certainly recommend this unit based on my experiences.1608747

This review is not on the controller as I haven't installed it yet but on the condition of the product as received. The controller came promptly but it was not packed in a separate box. The factory box was damaged in several areas and obviously handled roughly. Upon opening I realized as well that the only protection is a single layer of cardboard in the box, no foam or other protection. The controller appears undamaged but I won't actually know until I install and tested it. I would have immediately returned it without opening it but I need it for a trip already scheduled in two days.1649417

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Top quality brake controller. Automatic leveling. Get the wiring harness for your tow vehicle. This makes installation easy.1404979

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by: Robert04/13/2022

This is a great plug and play controller. Using it on a 2020 Chev Silverado 1500 towing a 22-foot Jayco Travel Trailer. It woke great. Its sensitivity adjustments are extra good. It is 10 times better than the unit I was using initially which was erratic and very jerky at slow speeds. This unit is very smooth at any speed. Great purchase.1285529

Great product. Works as advertised. Using it with a 22-foot travel trailer and control is excellent!

Robert - 04/14/2023

168098

I 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.928123

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Love the P3, so easy to use and will be using this on my next vehicle when I trade this in. Highly recommend this unit.

teresa - 12/24/2021

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by: Perpetual Traveler08/14/2022

Bought this for my 12 VW Golf TDI. Couldn't figure out the wiring. etrailer was very helpful but in the end had it installed. Has done the job flawlessly so far for a year. Love etrailers customer service.1357269

by: Robert07/08/2023

I have owned this for a year now and really like it. I literally replaced my failed brake controller while on a trip with this unit. The P3 worked excellent out of the box and the adjustability is appreciated. I now have this brake controller on two truck with good success.1617812

Thats great! We have heard countless good things about the P3. Glad to see yet another glowing review!

-- Brooke M - 07/13/2023

173111

Need to return not working!!replaced my prodigy 2 with this didn't change anything doesnt read brake pedal unless I tilt it manually. Thought it might be wiring harness so I bought a new one didn't help. Not leveling itself?1641511

I see that Customer Service has reached out and is working on troubleshooting with you.

-- Jenny N - 08/11/2023

174748

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
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Installed 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.39447

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Recommendation...dont mount it to low out of reach. When you have a trailer go astray...your seat belt will tighten and then you cant reach your controller to help you out. Believe me I mounted my too low and out of reach, and I was seconds from ditching the truck and trailer. Was very lucky. Just a recommendation.

-- comment by: Ernesto - 04/26/2015

11166

What did you do to complete the bypass besides cut blue wire and wire to new brake control

-- comment by: Mel T - 11/11/2015

15856

Mel THere is the link that helped us, Good Luck https:/www.etrailer.com/question-43296.html

-- comment by: John S - 11/12/2015

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John thanks for responding to Mel's question. Happy to hear that Mike's expert question helped you out.

-- Rachael H - 11/13/2015

Helpful Link

by: Gary12/18/2021

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.1226716

Been using this for a year, and still very happy with the purchase. Not the cheapest brake controller at $160, but I think this one might be the best. And the peace of mind and smooth braking is worth it.

Gary - 12/19/2022

154952

Unit worked great tested with load force meter . Good out put . Always powered with key off . Hot in Vegas so will disconnect when not in use1338248

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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!!1262302

Between this brake controller and the new self adjusting brakes, from trailer. When a 4 wheel PU cut in front of us and slammed his brakes on to stop. These parts saved our lives! We came within inches of crashing! We couldn’t be happier!

Carl - 02/14/2023

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by: Bob 09/21/2023

This brake controller works flawlessly. Easy to install and easy to adjust. I do pull several trailers with electric/hydraulic brakes and it works great.1671002