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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.
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (5927 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.I am excited to tell you about my experience when I needed to return my Prodigy P3. After 3 years of "flawless" service my brake controller developed a problem. I called to E-Trailer, where I purchased the Prodigy P3, and was informed by Korren that the Prodigy P3 has a lifetime warranty and that I could send in to get a free repair, or to get it replaced. The Prodigy P3 is one of the Best brake controllers on the market and E-Trailer's super service and helpful people saved the day when I needed help. I look forward to many years of service from my new Prodigy P3 and will continue to buy from, and recommend, E-Trailer!
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.
The Help & professionalism of Quinn F @ etrailer.com was outstanding. He confirmed that the product was the best choice for my vehicle & purpose, his personal response & follow through impressed me (including an e-mail letting me know my parts were delivered a couple days early). I will definitely be using Quinn F @ etrailer.com for all my RV related needs.
K
6/4/2024
Still works great.
I have never used any other brand of brake controller so it's hard to compare brands. And since the Tekonsha controllers have always worked extremely well I've never had a reason to use a different brand. I use this on an F350 Powerstroke Diesel hauling an 18 foot enclosed trailer and a 12 foot dump trailer. I had one of these controllers destroyed (electronically) when my brother connected it via 7 pin to one of his trailers that was wired differently than my trailers. I replaced it about 10 years ago and haven't had a problem since. I also had my brother rewire his trailers to match mine in case he needed to borrow my truck again, which he has, with np problems. This last controller I purchased was for my tractor so I could move my trailers around safely with my 28hp tractor.
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
4/27/2022
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.
John H.
8/4/2022
What truck did you install this on?
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.
Wayne
8/1/2022
Still lovin it! Works Great!
Installed myself in about 30 minutes. 06 Silverado crew cab. Fit right up to factory fitting that was hidden up on top of the spare tire.
Matthew
5/2/2024
Been using for about a year. Works great. 06 Silverado Crew Cab 4.8
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
Tom
9/14/2015
How long is the wiring harness? I want to mount the brake controller on the right side of my steering wheel. It looks short in the picture. Thanks! Tom
I love this! We camp monthly, and we tow our 23ft camper with a 1500 GMC. The break assist has been a fantastic tool to help keep us safe and in control of the camper.
Jason
5/18/2024
Having taken our camper through the mountains on a few occasions, I cannot imagine not having breaks for the camper. It has been an absolute game changer on several of our trips, especially pulling with a 1500.
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.
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.
Ernesto
4/26/2015
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.
Mel T.
11/11/2015
What did you do to complete the bypass besides cut blue wire and wire to new brake control
John S.
11/12/2015
Mel THere is the link that helped us, Good Luck https:/www.etrailer.com/question-43296.html
Rachael H.
11/13/2015
Helpful Links
The Tekonsha P3 and the wiring adapter have worked great for us. Installed in a Subaru Ascent on the bottom left side of the dash. Worried about hitting it with my foot, but that hasn't even been close to an issue. We leave it installed full time and I never think about it. Actually, as a break controller, that's a great thing. We adjusted the settings a couple times during our first outing with a trailer and have never touched it since. It truly does the proportional breaking well. I definitely prefer the physical box and not having to futz with an app.
I installed this in my 1987 K5 Blazer hauling a trailer with an old mustang on it from Washington state to south california… never had an issue. I watched a few YouTube videos and followed the instructions, took me a little more than half a day but this was because i had to replace a fair amount of old wire and then loom it all correctly to look professional but to also have a lasting result. I was concerned I did something wrong as the device stays on with the back light a few minutes after turning off the vehicle… it’s normal, just how the device works. The controller is way to use otherwise. It does brake controller things.
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.
Steve
3/27/2015
Is this a pathfinder, I need to add a 7 way connector do you have any photos of yours.? Id like to see wear you put it
Doug
5/5/2015
It was an Xterra. I purchased the factory trailer harness and relay kit. It was all plug and play.
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.
Teresa
12/24/2021
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.
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.
Mark D.
11/14/2013
how hard is it to remove small center console plugin great installation thanks Mark
Chris M.
11/26/2013
To remove the small center console cubby hole you need to open both 12V outlets, then using your thumb and index finger, slowly work the cubby out. I used a very thin straight edge screwdriver to get it started as well. Helps to have two people. Once out, I used a rotozip tool to cut the back out. I thought I could get away with simply drilling a hole for the wires, but you will need more room. Recommend leaving a lip on the bottom edge where you cut out so small items dont fall behind your dash. Hope this helps.
Tim H.
2/12/2015
Great write up Chris M. I just mounted mine and would like to make one note about the little yellow clips that hold in the console. They are very good at making a quick exit to some unknown location but I was able to fine the Toyota part number incase someone may need it. It is 90467-10203. They cost about a dollar. I got lucky and finally found the one I lost and saved myself a dollar.
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
10/9/2017
All good on my end. The controller is working with no issue. Getting ready for our 6th camping trip this year. Thanks for your follow-up.
Ordered 9 Jan 2023 and received today 31 Jan 2023. Seemed to sit in US mail system for quite awhile. Once received in Quebec Canada and cleared Canada Customs I received it in 3 days. I am replacing my brake controller with a new one and wanted to upgrade to a better one. Tekonsha P3 comes highly recommended and install is pretty straight forward. I haven't put this to the test as yet but I do not anticipate any problems. Only issue is in shipping.
Edward
2/1/2024
Last summer we took a 2 12 mth. 15k kilometer trip with our trailer to the East coast and then South to Georgia before heading back to Manitoba, Canada. It was an easy process using the controller to achieve the initial set up for our new Never Adjust brakes and dialed in the sweet spot for braking whether on the flats or in the mountains, it was smooth sailing. Great investment and peace of mind while on the road.
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.
8/30/2017
Still works well.
Purchased brake controller for my 2014 Tuna. excellent order/shipping/receiving time.Received everything I needed with order in a very timely fashion. Website made it very easy to find and decide on exactly what I wanted. Etrailer will be my first choice for finding the accessories I need in the future. Purchased Tekonsha P3 brake controller and is the best thing to a factory installed controller I have encountered.
Henr L.
12/28/2017
WOW! Somebody that actually cares! This email was a real surprise. Yes I amstill using the controller and it works better than any I have ever owned. Idefinitely recommend I as well as etrailer.com to everyone interested.Thanks for caring about your customers!
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!
Jeremy
7/28/2014
how did you get it in the cubby hole? did you need to drill any holes? is it difficult to remove the dash covers and council?
James E.
8/15/2014
OK, How did you get the shift lever off? I got the two screw out from the bottom of the storage bin, but it still will not come out. How did you get the upper trim with all the electronic buttons off? I will not drill a wire hole thru the bin without removing it for fear I may hit or damage something right behind the bin, or have the way blocked by something so I couldnt route the brake controller cable through the hole I just drilled. I cant get at the bin from the gas pedal area. In fact I cant even see it from there. Thanks.
First 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
8/28/2019
I’ve been pulling our Open Range 2710RL for about a year now and the Tekonsha Prodigy 3 brake controller has worked great.
I purchased and installed the P3 controller in a 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE after reading many great reviews about it. Wanted a hard wired controller vs. wireless because a brake controller is too important to run over an unreliable wireless connection. Having an IT background I know how unpredictable wireless connections can be. Installation was fairly easy, the hardest part was running a few wires through the firewall of the vehicle.
A few notes, the installation of the actual controller under the steering wheel area was a little difficult because of the design of the mounting bracket. This could be designed better for easier installation. Also, I got a pre-collision warning on my instrument cluster whenever the brake controller was activated. To fix this I had to solder a 1 amp diode on the red cable, which I protected with heat shrink. I reached out to tech support about this error and they were very helpful talking me through a solution.
I like the adjustment capabilities of the controller. I have been able to adjust it so the brakes don't grab when stopping slowly. I really like the manual slide for activating the brakes. This has been very useful for applying brakes on the trailer in a few critical braking moments. The manual lever is also very useful for checking the brakes after connecting the trailer to make sure they are working correctly. I also like that the display shows the level of braking that's applied to the trailer. The color of the back-lit display can also be adjusted to match the vehicle's displays. I definitely recommend this brake controller.
2017 Toyota Tacoma sport with tow package installed P3 controller and wiring with the help of ESP truck accessories installation kit for P3 mount plate that replaces coin holder with no drilling of any kind pretty happy where it's located and no drilling involved it was a pretty fast install with easy to follow instructions
I would recommend anybody with a Toyota Tacoma 2016 to 2018 with this set up
The Toyota dealership didn't even know this existed with a P3 until after I showed him the photo
John
8/11/2019
After two years I am still impressed with it works great no problems the small disign works great with limited space
I don’t typically do surveys of any kind but the good experience I have had with etrailer has given me reason to write. etrailer’s website and menu took me right to the product I was looking for based on the year and make of my tow vehicle. My package arrived a day early, was well packaged, not damaged and what I ordered. I haven’t installed the trailer brake and wiring kit yet but after reading the simple to follow directions just one time I am confident that the installation is going to be a success.
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Skyler
6/3/2024
My Prodigy P-3 from E-Trailer is still working strong....no issues!