OEM Trailer Brake Controller

[stick]

Sure Rusty, and i wish the would flash my truck to 800 ft. lbs.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

I'll bet the dealers will be happy to trade your almost new '10s or '11s on a '12 with all the latest bells and whistle but then the '13s will come along with more.

 

[RustyJC]

Sure Rusty, and i wish the would flash my truck to 800 ft. lbs.



Stick

You're right - it may never happen. I'll guarantee you this, though - if no one ever asks for it, it WON'T happen.



My dealer sells a lot of HD Rams here in the Houston area that work for a living, and they recognize that there's a problem with the earlier trucks and are pushing Chrysler for a reflash. Let's wait and see how it pans out.



Oh, and Harvey, I sold a 2002 3500 ETH/DEE when I bought my 2011. I'm not a sucker for every latest bell and whistle. I drive most of my vehicles 8-10 years or more. In fact, here's my oldest - I bought it new in 1971. It turned 40 this year.







Rusty

 

[kkreigh]

My factory brake controller works great. 25 foot fifth wheel 8600 lb trailer.

 

[HBarlow]

You're right - it may never happen. I'll guarantee you this, though - if no one ever asks for it, it WON'T happen.

My dealer sells a lot of HD Rams here in the Houston area that work for a living, and they recognize that there's a problem with the earlier trucks and are pushing Chrysler for a reflash. Let's wait and see how it pans out.

Oh, and Harvey, I sold a 2002 3500 ETH/DEE when I bought my 2011. I'm not a sucker for every latest bell and whistle. I drive most of my vehicles 8-10 years or more. In fact, here's my oldest - I bought it new in 1971. It turned 40 this year.

Rusty

I wasn't suggesting you are. My comment was about the marketing techniques of the big manufacturing companies. Planned obsolescence sells products. It hooks and influences all of us.

I remember the CB-750s when they were new. A shipmate owned one. I think it could be said that the Honda with the CB-750 and their smaller in-line four CB-550 changed motorcycle manufacturing. My Goldwing is an amazing smooth, quiet, comfortable, and powerful high tech touring machine.

 

[Don]

Maxbrake controler

I have a new Maxbrake controller and while I was having my 5th wheel hitch installed I asked if they could install my brake controller too. They said no problem until they saw the piece of hydraulic line in the box, then no way were they going to get into the brake line. I haven't even read the instructions yet, but what is the big deal? The place I was doing business with is a large shop that sell and installs hundreds of hitches and controllers, but had never seen a Maxbrake.

Don

 

[HBarlow]

I have a new Maxbrake controller and while I was having my 5th wheel hitch installed I asked if they could install my brake controller too. They said no problem until they saw the piece of hydraulic line in the box, then no way were they going to get into the brake line. I haven't even read the instructions yet, but what is the big deal? The place I was doing business with is a large shop that sell and installs hundreds of hitches and controllers, but had never seen a Maxbrake.
Don

Every RV dealership in America will gladly tell you a hydraulic over electric brake controller cannot be used on trucks since the '60s and liability issues blah, blah, blah, blah. 99% of them don't have a clue what they are talking about and don't want to learn any better because they never heard of BrakeSmart or MaxBrake controllers and don't sell them.

Installation is very simple. Back the hydraulic line (I think the rear is preferred) out of the brake master cylinder, screw the T fitting in and reinstall the removed hydraulic brake line fitting then install the MaxBrake sensor off T fitting and route the wires through the firewall. Your instructions should be simple and clear. If you have questions just post. Lots of us have been using BrakeSmart or MaxBrake controllers for years.

 

[Don]

Thanks, sounds simple. Hopefully I can get it done in a couple of days because we are getting ready to head south.
Don

 

[craiggo]

Installation is very simple. Back the hydraulic line (I think the rear is preferred) out of the brake master cylinder, screw the T fitting in and reinstall the removed hydraulic brake line fitting then install the MaxBrake sensor off T fitting and route the wires through the firewall. Your instructions should be simple and clear. If you have questions just post. Lots of us have been using BrakeSmart or MaxBrake controllers for years.

Are you saying you don't have to bleed the brake lines after this?

 

[HBarlow]

Yes, I've never found it necessary. I installed the BrakeSmart controller in my old '01 Ram in about 2002 myself and did not bleed the brakes after reconnecting the line. A friend who is a former Dodge dealership mechanic removed it and installed it in my '06 then removed it again and installed it in my current '08. He found no need to bleed the brakes either time.

Now that you mention it I can't explain why it has never seemed necessary but the truck brakes in all three have been fine.

 

[craiggo]

Yes, I've never found it necessary. I installed the BrakeSmart controller in my old '01 Ram in about 2002 myself and did not bleed the brakes after reconnecting the line. A friend who is a former Dodge dealership mechanic removed it and installed it in my '06 then removed it again and installed it in my current '08. He found no need to bleed the brakes either time.

Now that you mention it I can't explain why it has never seemed necessary but the truck brakes in all three have been fine.

Well I completely believe you as you've got plenty of experience with them but I would have a hard time rationalizing that in my head. Just your description of it above makes the hair on my neck stand up. It just seems like you'd get air in the lines... .

I jumped over to their website and had a look. It says to bleed air out at the pressure sensor; which is one of the pieces you add. This makes sense. I've always been turned off by these because of the need to bleed the brakes afterwards but clearly I should have done more homework. I still can't justify one for what little towing we do but it's kinda appealing to be honest.

 

[RVTRKN]

My mech said the same, "no need to bleed the line". He claims the air will bleed itself back through the master cylinder. It seems to have worked, I've never opened it up to confirm it, but they feel fine.

 

[Don]

I have another question. How do you disconnect the OEM controller when installing the Maxbrake controller?

Don

 

[HBarlow]

Well I completely believe you as you've got plenty of experience with them but I would have a hard time rationalizing that in my head. Just your description of it above makes the hair on my neck stand up. It just seems like you'd get air in the lines... .

I jumped over to their website and had a look. It says to bleed air out at the pressure sensor; which is one of the pieces you add. This makes sense. I've always been turned off by these because of the need to bleed the brakes afterwards but clearly I should have done more homework. I still can't justify one for what little towing we do but it's kinda appealing to be honest.

Craig,

Yes, it sounds like a questionable procedure but I remember asking my mechanic friend, "are you sure we don't need to bleed the line we opened?" He convinced me we did not.

Yes, the MaxBrakes are expensive but when you amortize the cost out over all the years you will drive a light truck they cost only a few cents per day. I promise you that you won't be sorry you bought one the first time you tow with it. It will be a complete new towing experience for you.

 

[HBarlow]

I have another question. How do you disconnect the OEM controller when installing the Maxbrake controller?
Don

Don,

You disconnect it by taking it to a dealer and asking them to enter your truck computer with their device and delete the code for OEM brake controller. After they do that the truck's computers don't know it is installed.

That was discussed in Don Dyer "domehead's" TDR article a few months ago and also has been discussed here in TDR forums.

 

[HBarlow]

My mech said the same, "no need to bleed the line". He claims the air will bleed itself back through the master cylinder. It seems to have worked, I've never opened it up to confirm it, but they feel fine.

Steve,

I think that's what my mechanic friend told me also. It seems to work.

 

[Bill Stockard]

My mech said the same, "no need to bleed the line". He claims the air will bleed itself back through the master cylinder. It seems to have worked, I've never opened it up to confirm it, but they feel fine.

Yep, it can happen. I discovered that when replacing master cylinders. If I bench bleed the master cylinder and install it on the vehicle, fill it with brake fluid, don't move it or use the brake pedal, and let it set overnight, bleeding the lines isn't necessary. The temperature changes overnight will bleed the air bubble in the line into the master cylinder.



Bill