Brake Controller Recommendation for Vehicle w Air Brakes Towing Trailer with Electric/Hydraulic

Question:

I have a 1973 Peterbilt with 3 axles 10 wheels with air brakes on all axles and are going to pull a 2003 Newmar 38.5 foot fifth wheel travel trailer with electric over hydraulic disc brakes. What is the best type of brake controller to use in the Peterbilt ,an air controlled brake box or a electric box like the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 ? I am not sure but the trailer looks like it has a Carlisle Hydrastar XL Electro-Hydraulic brake actuator and were trying to bleed the brakes and could not get the brakes to work and have found the easy way is to pull the pin on the brake away switch to activate the brakes , is this correct ? THANKS

asked by: Richard

Expert Reply:

I would strongly recommend an electric brake controller for you application like the P2 # 90885 that you referenced as it is compatible with electric over hydraulic brakes and would be a much more inexpensive option that would work very well. You are going to have to hardwire this controller in so check out the help article I attached on how to do this.

Pulling the breakaway pin of the actuator is one way to activate them so that you can bleed the brakes. Just make sure the battery has a decent charge left after you are finished bleeding them.

expert reply by: Jameson C