Locally, it's all HOPKINS (wal-mart, autozone, rural king), is it a decent brand or should I go with something else?


I found 4 - 6" driving lights for a tractor at Rural King 55W just 12.50 each (Hmmmm, should I cheap it for the look?)

you dont wanna cheap out a brake controller.

Get the Tekonsha Prodigy. best brake controller for the money. Does surge brakes as well as electric brakes with variable "brake boost"

You either want one of the old analog brake controllers or the Prodigy. Anything in between is crap. I had a "digital" Reese and it was horrible. Engagement was jerky, fine-tuning the power was hard, and there were only three settings for "sync" for lack of a better word. I put my old analog Tekonsha in my new truck. Yes, you have to securely mount i and it cares about the angle, but very easy to adjust engagement "sync" and fine-tune power for loaded and unloaded conditions. It engages and releases much more smoothly. Maybe someday I'll get the Prodigy.

I used a Digital reese pilot last year when pulling my buddy's race car and it worked great. It had a dial on the side that easily adjusted the voltage to the brakes. I've also used the Tekonsha Prodigy and it seem to have a little better response but i did pull on a different trailer carrying a lighter load. I probably would stick with the Prodigy

I got the Hopkins Impulse because i needed a brake controller that day and thats what auto zone and tractor supply had in stock. I still use it, It works and does exactly what i need it for when pulling my camper or equipment trailer.

How does a controller help with surge brakes?

I went with the Primus IQ. They came out and gave me the run down.

I really like that is says it's connected when the trailer cable is hooked up.

3 Boost levels and on the fly adjustment.

I have the Tekonsha Prodigy amd it works great!

Just got back from a trip and the brake controller worked great. I like the boost levels.

Does it have the progressive brake control feature like the prodigy does? Meaning...does it apply more brake pressure the faster you go or does it apply the same brake pressure at 5mph as it will at 55mph?

I have the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 and love it. Has the boost levels as well as voltage control too. lots of user adjustment and has progressive braking(I wouldn't buy one without. It's unsafe IMO and wears down your brakes more if not equip'd)