Replacing Factory Brake Controller with Max Brake

[WayneTurner]

This may be somewhere on the site

Has anyone information what is involved to replace the factory

brake controller with a Max Brake Controller ?



Will the existing truck wiring work with an aftermarket controller?



Wiring required,deleting computer read outs etc?



Thanks for the info

 

[Don]

I had a buddy help install mine and it works fine. We contacted the folks we I purchased it from "Plug it Right" for some guidance and all went well except the kit with the controller had an incorrect part to complete hook up that had to be sent to us to complete the job.
Don

 

[bombero]

I am very interested to know why you are changing your controller. You dont say what you are trying to tow? with what kind of vehicle and year do you have? Why isnt the OEM working for you?

 

[SPucillo]

If you look on the second page of this link you will see what I did.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/4th-generation-ram-forum/233130-installed-max-brake.html

 

[bombero]

Boy there is alot of info. Thanks Jim

 

[Dutch & Di]

Hi Wayne.

You must disconnect the factory controller 1st which will take care of deleting computer readouts, etc. You do have to hardwire the Max Brake harness-directions are included in the kit. If you need further assistance, you can pm me or call me at 941-416-0918 and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Diana

This may be somewhere on the site

Has anyone information what is involved to replace the factory

brake controller with a Max Brake Controller ?



Will the existing truck wiring work with an aftermarket controller?



Wiring required,deleting computer read outs etc?



Thanks for the info

 

[Simplysmn]

I am very interested to know why you are changing your controller. You dont say what you are trying to tow? with what kind of vehicle and year do you have? Why isnt the OEM working for you?

There have been alot of People that say the factory brake controller doesn't work right to be Honest and this is My 2 cent's I now have just shy of 32,000 on my 2011 in just a hair over a yr and have tow'd some fairly heavy load's and have never had a Problem just haul'd a 89 drw flatbed on a 17 ft trailer today handled great stopped even better Maybe I got lucky and got a good truck ?????

 

[stick]

It's not that the factory controller does'nt work, it's just that there is a controller that works alot better. People just don't understand until they use one.



Stick

 

[Simplysmn]

Or maybe it the people that are useing them I don't know but I've never had any troubles maybe it's the way you set it ?

 

[stick]

Like i said, you will never understand until you use a controller like the Max Brake. It's just that much better.



Stick

 

[Simplysmn]

I Guess to Each there own I just don't understand the hype in telling everyone the factory controller is junk throw it away and go out and pay several hunded dollar's for 1 that Might work better ? if you use the truck the way it is meant to be used the factory one is just fine isn't that what the ability to down shift the auto trans is for along with tow haul ???????

 

[TWood]

I have my factory controller set on 10 and I find myself using an extreme amount of brake pedal to stop my 15500 fifth wheel I even have to use the manual slide actuator on the controller when getting off freeway offramps. Is that the way it was designed?

 

[Simplysmn]

are you useing the transmission at all? as you come to a stop or just useing the brakes ? I've never had to set mine on 10 but then again I use the trans to slow me down first . ??? how are you slowing down ?

 

[TWood]

I use the trans but the last 100 to 200 feet the converter and ex brake cut out because engine rpm drops below 1200 so you can't come to a complete stop using trans and exhuast brake. being an offramp is downhill, some of them pretty steep in my area, The brake controller seems to fall a little short.

 

[TWood]

Oh and the exaust brake/ trans does not do you much good in a quick or panic stop. or around town either.

 

[RVTRKN]

A little off subject, TWood, your 5ver brakes are rated for the GVW of the 5ver, and if your having to use your truck brakes to stop the load then I would inspect your 5ver brakes.



I think there is still an argument to settle about the new integrated brake controller! Is it a controller that senses actual hydraulic pressure or does it sense inertia? If it is an inertia sensing controller, then use the Max Brake.

 

[HBarlow]

There is NO argument to settle. The OEM brake controller does NOT sense hydraulic brake line pressure. There is no capability in the trucks to sense or measure brake pressure. It is just one more inertia sensing brake controller, perhaps more refined and built in but still a weak compromise.

Bob 4x4 recently posted an excerpt from Ram factory documentation that explains this.

 

[TWood]

My fiver brakes seem to be working fine. they have no problem stopping the entire rig, truck and trailer, when I use the manual actuator on the factory brake controller. I have it set on 10 and it just doesn't seem to give the amount of braking as it should.

 

[Simplysmn]

well I would say there is something wrong with the brake controller I have never had to have mine on higher then 4 or 5 max

 

[HBarlow]

My fiver brakes seem to be working fine. they have no problem stopping the entire rig, truck and trailer, when I use the manual actuator on the factory brake controller. I have it set on 10 and it just doesn't seem to give the amount of braking as it should.

Others who use them have reported similar weak braking. An inertia-activated brake controller which it is depends on deceleration (negative inertia) created by the tow vehicle in order to initiate trailer braking.

I would give Dodge a grade of C or "nice try but no cigar. "