So after reading all the stories, I am a little torn. I do a decent bit of towing, sounds like some of you do a lot of towing, so I am looking for your opinion and experience. OEM factory brake controller vs something like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3. Why should I choose one over the other?
Thank you

 

I really like my P3

 

The factory one is nice because it's integrated into the computer of the truck. The truck then tracks mileage on the trailer, can help prevent sway and it is a factory finish look in the dash. The downside would be the cost of buying the brake controller and then having to pay Ford to program it in to your truck.

Archrder: Does your truck have the factory 7 pin already wired in or?

 

The ITBC works different from an externally mounted unit that works on inertia. When you apply the brakes, the computer determines how much juice to send to the trailer brakes so that the truck and trailer brakes work with each other to slow down easily. It can sense how much pressure you are applying to the pedal, so as to not apply too much juice to the trailer brakes, where the external controller will apply juice until the brakes are fully engaged.

When going down a grade, you no longer have to press and release the service brakes to prevent the trailer brakes from slowing you too much, but instead applies just the right amount braking to equal the braking of the truck, so a nice steady brake pedal is used instead.

 

Thank you guys for the replies. Clarkbre yes I do have the tow package, just lacking in the controller. I understand the differences in function of both styles, it just seems like half of the people with the oem have experienced issues from small to giant, while I have yet to hear someone have an issue with aftermarket. The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 offers the same brake for sensitivity the oem unit does, along with other features. You can get plug and play adapters for it, making installation easy, while also not needed the dealer to enable the controller like with oem (yes I know with forscan I can do that myself, but I wont). So what are the pros and cons of each, Oem obviously fits and mounts oem, plus being a Ford supported product, con is it is more expensive and requires a trip to the dealer in my case. People, sway me one way or the other.

 

We've laid out the pros and cons for you...

The short version:

OEM:
Pro: Integrated with the trucks computer, sway control, looks amazing sitting in the dash
Cons: $, a visit to your dealer for a little more $ and the problem is circled in blue

Not OEM:
Pro: Less $
Cons: Less options/integration with the truck, ugly unit that mounts in a location that could likely be a knee knocker

Not sure how else any of us can say to "sway" you to make a decision. I would go with the OEM one. My dad didn't have it on his F150 and he went with the OEM one and said it works great. My father in law bought his F150 and made sure it had the OEM controller built in. My uncle also has it and tows constantly without issue.

Only you can decide what's right for you, your truck, your family, everyone else on the road and 'Merica.

I can assure you that this post is gospel and full of accurate facts.....until the next guy posts something that disagrees with what I said.

 

I just towed my 24' enclosed race car trailer 3000 miles to/from Ely, NV with my factory controller retro-fitted 2012. I've never used an aftermarket TBC so I cannot compare, but the factory controller totally kicked *** and I'm glad I spent the extra $$.

 

I've towed over 100,000 miles with an aftermarket trailer brake controller. I've towed about 20,000 miles with my Ford integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC). The ITBC is well worth the money.


I don't understand the complaint about the cost of the ITBC. List price is only $142,and you can buy it online for about $109. https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...0wbC12OC1mbGV4


Yeah, the Ford dealer will probably charge you to activate it, but if you have a good relationship with your dealer it should not be more than a half-hour labor charge.

 

For under $20 you can get a USB Dongle to connect a laptop to the truck and use Forscan to enable the ITBC instead of taking it to the dealer. There is a great sticky under general with all the info needed.

 

I like the Ford brake controller and agree with above, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about the cost... I bought mine for $130 a couple years ago, took all of about an hour to install it myself and the dealer charged me 1/2 hour of labor to turn it on so about $50. Under $200, it works really well, fits in the dash nicely and integrates with the truck's system. I'm not sure where the debate is, go OEM.