Factory Brake Controller ?

[Powder Extreme]

Okay, I remember this was discussed a while ago, but I'm wondering if anybody has any actual concrete solid evidence that the factory controller does indeed work on brake pedal pressure and not inertia? Some were saying no, others were saying it read off the ABS system.



I just got back from a 3,000 mile trip pulling my 30' triple axle gooseneck I was as light as 16,000lbs and as heavy as 31,500lbs, the brake controller didn't work well at all. If I hit any bumps, it would actually lock the trailer tires up, yet I had it set "too light" for my taste. Under a normal, smooth, flat stop, I really had to lay on the truck brakes, if there was a slight down hill, the trailer would come on way too hard. Sometimes at stop lights the trailer brakes wouldn't release till about 1 second after releasing the truck brakes and hitting the throttle.



All in all it reminds me of an old Tekonsha inertial controller from 15 yrs ago, the one that you had to "level" just right to get it to work half assed. It doesn't hold a candle to a Prodigy brake controller. Obviously no comparison to an actual brake pressure actuated controller.



Empty I would set it about 4. 5 - 5. 5 With 12,000lbs on the deck I had it set at 7. 5-8. With 16,500lbs on the deck (31,500gvw) I set the controller at 9. 5.



Does anybody else who tows very heavy have any input?



Thanks guys.

 

[jelag]

We've towed up to 20K lbs of trailer weight... but with an 04 and 05, one with the brake smart and the other with the max brake... . both of those are true hydraulic pressure controllers and we're very satisfied with them. . Our newest truck is an 08 5500 and again its with a max brake... . that's the best I can offer...

 

[dodgesst]

while i haven't used mine yet, i was talking to a guy that has two gen 4 trucks and builds and sets up pre fabbed sheds, he said the brake controller was a pile of crap. to work right he had to manually move the arm regardless of the gain set. hes aid he has talked to dodge about it with no luck yet

 

[HBarlow]

From your clear description of how yours works I'm going to stick with my original opinion that the Dodge OEM controller is a pos inertia driven controller.

I would skip checking that block on the order form for a new truck and install my old BrakeSmart or a new MaxBrake if I was replacing my truck with a new one.

 

[stick]

Harvey:

The brake controller is now standard equipment. I tried to delete it on my order, but that didn't happen.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey:
The brake controller is now standard equipment. I tried to delete it on my order, but that didn't happen.

Stick

Stick,

I'm sorry, I forgot. I remember now that you or someone else reported it is standard on Laramie models.

I guess that detail didn't stick in my brain because I always order the SLT versions rather than Laramies with leather and a couple of bells and whistles I don't want.

I would disable the OEM controller and pretend it is not there rather than have a beautiful new truck that does everything you want exceptionally well except for a lousy inertial brake controller. The original post that started this thread took me back to the days when I was using a pos Tekonsha Voyager. I grew to hate that thing with a passion.

 

[stick]

If at all possible, my Brakesmart will be going in from my 03.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

Let us know how you do it. I am almost certain it can be done, just don't have any idea what is required to disable the Ram OEM controller. Might be as simple as pulling a fuse but who knows in the age of computers controlling everything but the driver?

 

[RonD]

Why don't you go tow something heavy and see how it works out for you, I think it's made by Continental, the same company that provides the brake controller in your soon to be 2011 GMC

 

[stick]

Why don't you go tow something heavy and see how it works out for you, I think it's made by Continental, the same company that provides the brake controller in your soon to be 2011 GMC

It won't be in "my soon to be 2011 GMC"!!!

Iv'e seen this statement quite often lately about try it you might like it, it's as good as a Prodigy. All i can say to these people is if you haven't ever towed with a brake controller like the Maxbrake or the Brakesmart, you don't have a clue.



Stick

 

[domehead]

First it is not as good as prodigy units. Second I am going to upgrade to brakesmart and see if I can disable this unit. If you are towing light trailer it should work but when you have heavy stuff behind you it does not put out enough juice to lock the trailer down.



When you are towing equipment trailers you should have two setting for your controller one empty which is lighter touch on the brakes and loaded which will put enough juice back to the trailer to help stop you.

 

[stick]

Domehead:

It seems like i remember in one of these threads about the factory brake controller, that you had to disable a green wire on the factory unit, so the new unit would work properly. But i'm not sure.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

First it is not as good as prodigy units. Second I am going to upgrade to brakesmart and see if I can disable this unit. If you are towing light trailer it should work but when you have heavy stuff behind you it does not put out enough juice to lock the trailer down.

When you are towing equipment trailers you should have two setting for your controller one empty which is lighter touch on the brakes and loaded which will put enough juice back to the trailer to help stop you.

Unless you already own a BrakeSmart or have a source for a used one I think you'll have to settle for the MaxBrake. For unknown reasons the high performance aftermarket parts company that bought BrakeSmart couldn't handle the challenges of manufacturing it and seem to have shelved production.

I think a MaxBrake works just as well but the packaging and digital display are not quite as nice and a couple of neat features of the electronics are not provided.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Why don't you go tow something heavy and see how it works out for you, I think it's made by Continental, the same company that provides the brake controller in your soon to be 2011 GMC

Umm... Grossing 31,500lbs isn't heavy?? I had just shy of 20,000lbs on the trailer, I think that qualifies as heavy.



And as far as "my soon to be 2011 GMC" I have no idea who the manufacturer is, but I can state from experience the Dodge controller is not the same as the GM controller in my '08 GMC. They very well may be made by the same company, but they are completely different controllers. The GM is linear with the amount of brake pedal pressure. Maybe GM has some patent with Continental about how it operates and they couldn't use the same design in the Dodge?

 

[domehead]

Placed the order for the maxbrake tonight. I will install it before the next road trip up to maine towing the 10 ton goose neck and yes it will be loaded to within legal limits.



I will give update on the install and how well it works on the trailer.



The OEM brake controller is weak, I just rebuilt the brakes on the trailer and it does not put enough amp's bake to the trailer to lock it down.

 

[Powder Extreme]

After driving 1,300 miles towing with the '11 GMC, I can safely say it is NOT the same controller Dodge uses. It may very well be made by the same company, but it is NOT the same controller. RR crossings, inclines, rough roads, etc. do not affect the trailer braking on the GMC, it simply applies more voltage the harder you press on the pedal. Just like all trailer brake controllers should

Cheers!

 

[domehead]

The maxbrake came in last Friday just getting around to installing it. T the parts look fine. The install of the brake line and sensor was straight forward the cable which hooks to the sensor has two ends labor a and b the a goes into the sensor and b is for trouble shooting just tie it off. The cab wiring with the built in OEM controller is another matter still working on that will IP date later

 

[RustyJC]

I'm awaiting the results of this with great anticipation. I picked up our 2011 Laramie dually Saturday and will be spending this week getting the B&W turnoverball gooseneck hitch, the 7-pin connector in the bed and the toolbox installed. As mentioned earlier, the integrated trailer brake controller came on the truck as standard equipment, but based on the comments so far, I'm not expecting much out of it when I finally get to hitch up the 5th wheel.



It'll be interesting to see what it takes to remove the factory controller from the CANbus system and to get a MaxBrake or similar installed.



ON EDIT: Maybe this is a good question to ask the Dodge engineer for an upcoming TDR article.....



Rusty

 

[domehead]

What I found out on the oem controller. You have to have the dealer to contact dodge to disable the controller it's a sales code. Otherwise you will have a message on the console. I was told it takes 24 hours to get answer back and have the oem controller disabled through software.



There is two plugs on the OEM controller small one and large one. disconnect the large plug and plug it into the witing harness that came with the maxbrake controller.



Calibration seem to go by the book with no problems. I will hook up a trailer to the truck most likely on wed and try it out. Will post again after testing with the trailer.

 

[HBarlow]

Domehead,

Rusty's idea is a good one.

Would you consider taking a few digital photos and writing up a basic "how to do it" article" describing your conversion from OEM brake controller to MaxBrake and your seat of the pants performance report with the new controller?

I think TDR Editor Robert Patton likes articles like this for publication when they are done well and of wide interest. Bill Stockard monitors posts for threads like this. If he considers them beneficial to a large number of members he compiles and edits them then submits them to Robert.