Direclink Brake Controller

[offtohavasu]

For those of us who have older trucks without integrated brake controllers, has anyone looked in to the Direclink Brake Controller? It uses vehicle braking information off the OBDII port.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Papa Smurf]

Not to try to be obtuse, but have you asked the dealer about an integrated unit for your truck? My son recently purchased a newer Ford F150 and was able to buy an integrated unit for his, is the only reason I ask. It could well be the unit you mention is basically what the dealer would have????

 

[offtohavasu]

There isn't a integrated brake controller for some older model vehicles, for example, my 07 Classic Silverado. They didn't come out with it until the 07.5 model.

 

[Dave and Monica]

If you don't have a integrated BC available, I'd recommend you look at installing a Tekonsha P3 proportional BC. I believe that they work a little better than the integrated BC as you adjust boost separate from the brake level...gives you some brake lead by the trailer and gets rid of the slight push you feel initially on the truck while hard braking. Here's a link for more info... http://www.tekonsha.com/products/br...trollers/p3-/TzaIxkVx1cI5XOy!osRB55TR19SXShj4

Dave

 

[offtohavasu]

Dave, you seem to be on top of things and always offer great insight. Let me run down a scenario I went through, and maybe you can shed some light if the P3 would handle better.

On a recent trip, I borrowed a buddy's 34' TT. I have just a standard Tekonsha controller. One evening, we're pulling in to Central City, CO, and it's POURING. GREAT! But nothing I can't handle. Then come to the last descent in to Central City, 9% grade, wet. OH FUN! It took everything I could do to keep the brakes from locking up because the angle of the truck, the controller thought it was a heavier brake than I was actually doing. Luckily, I was able to react fast enough to turn the controller down and keep it from locking up. I was looking for a Max Brake because it measured brake pressure, but they are no longer around.

TIA!

 

[Dave and Monica]

Curtis...I think you'd have the same result in those circumstances regardless of the type of brake controller. In that case, you still need at lot of braking force to control speed but the slicker road surface causes wheel lock-up instead of threshold braking on the camper. I don't see that there's anything that you can do other than turning down the gain on any type of controller.

Dave

 

[offtohavasu]

Thanks Dave!


Dave's not here man.

 

[Big Mike]

Hi Curtis,

i had had a first generation Prodigy in my last two trucks...miss it.

The Prodigy series of controllers do not work via a pendulum, rather a decelerometer. In the situation you describe, the P3 will not apply extra braking due to the angle.

Hope we this helps you with your decision.

Big Mike

 

[scott42blue]

Hi Curtis,

i had had a first generation Prodigy in my last two trucks...miss it.

The Prodigy series of controllers do not work via a pendulum, rather a decelerometer. In the situation you describe, the P3 will not apply extra braking due to the angle.

Hope we this helps you with your decision.

Big Mike

I agree with Big Mike. Had the same on my older GM. Used it for years with no problems.
Scott

 

[offtohavasu]

Thank you all for the information. May have to upgrade to a P3.

 

[Paul & Deb]

Thank you all for the information. May have to upgrade to a P3.

Just based on this discussion and adding all the brake work I am doing before leaving for our 3 month trip, I just ordered a new P3 to replace my 8 year old Primus. I never really felt that comfortable with the controller on this truck (it was in it when I bought it 2 years old). I hope the new P3 will just have a little better performance and a little simpler to adjust. We'll see. For $131 and plug and play, since the harness is already wired, I think it will be worth it.

 

[offtohavasu]

Poppy, since you and I have similar trucks, it will be interesting to see what your results are.

 

[Paul & Deb]

Poppy, since you and I have similar trucks, it will be interesting to see what your results are.

Well then I will have to post back. I do have my turbo brake active, via a custom tune, and that helps and with the new self adjusting brakes I'm hoping things will feel even better. I've never had any issues with braking but you can never have too much braking or better response in braking.

 

[offtohavasu]

I hear ya. On a side note, I activated the turbo brake on my LBZ with a mod, no programming needed, it's already there! Just needed to add 2 wires to the ECM and a toggle switch, much like the high idle mod. It works AMAZINGLY well.

 

[Paul & Deb]

I hear ya. On a side note, I activated the turbo brake on my LBZ with a mod, no programming needed, it's already there! Just needed to add 2 wires to the ECM and a toggle switch, much like the high idle mod. It works AMAZINGLY well.

I also learned of that mod from the Duramax Forum but wanted the additional towing tunes that my tuner (Idaho Rob) gave me. It improved overall performance and fuel economy. Nothing too radical but I like the improvement. I was tempted to do the mod but I like toys so I love the "magic knob"

 

[luckeyd1]

I had the P2 with my previous trailers. Worked great. I believe the P3 is just an upgraded software version of that plus some visual changes for more modern look. BTW I now use the build-in Ford controller, this also works great.

 

[offtohavasu]

I also learned of that mod from the Duramax Forum but wanted the additional towing tunes that my tuner (Idaho Rob) gave me. It improved overall performance and fuel economy. Nothing too radical but I like the improvement. I was tempted to do the mod but I like toys so I love the "magic knob"

I'm telling you Poppy, I'm so on the fence for a tune. I hit 100k on our road trip pulling that trailer. While fuel mileage was decent (avg 10-12.5), some of those hills we took I had it to the floor pushing 60, sometimes 65. Although that seems fast enough, it would have been nice to have a little pedal left, especially since we're looking at 350M which will be even heavier. I'm just not sure throwing a tune in with 100k on the engine and trans.