Placement of Brake Controller in 2012 2500

[RonD]

This is all true I suspect, but He was referring to a 2011, not a 2012 IBC, there not the same, the 12 works very well, the 2010-11 do not the Max Brake is better, but lots of things in life are always better.

No it wouldn't.

It looks pretty silly for you to continue defending the Ram oem brake controller even though you've finally admitted to yourself that the one in your truck does a lousy job.

The only owners who claim to like their oem brake controller are those who have never experienced the huge improvement in performance and safety of a brake line pressure sensing controller like MaxBrake, BrakeSmart, or the old Kelsey-Hayes manual brake controllers we used prior to the '90s.

 

[Cummins12V98]

No it wouldn't.

It looks pretty silly for you to continue defending the Ram oem brake controller even though you've finally admitted to yourself that the one in your truck does a lousy job.

The only owners who claim to like their oem brake controller are those who have never experienced the huge improvement in performance and safety of a brake line pressure sensing controller like MaxBrake, BrakeSmart, or the old Kelsey-Hayes manual brake controllers we used prior to the '90s.

Harvey you are the one that looks silly! I have never defended MY BRAKE CONTROLLER! I have said it works better than the P-2 in my 98. I was the one trying to get a 12 controller to work in my truck but it just wont work.

I guess you forget the people on here that have a 12 and were planning on installing their Max from the last rig but decided that the 12 controller worked just fine.

My Dad has towed with many different controllers from Kelsey Hayes that does tap the brakes to everything between. He has a 12 Ram and has a HH Premier and he said the 12 controller is by far the best controller he has ever used.

He has not used a Max Brake and you have not towed with a 12 factory controller.

When you tow someones trailer with a 12 integrated controller I would like your honest opinion. Until then all you have is opinion without even trying the product you are bashing.

When I am done installing my Max Brake and have towed with it I will give an honest evaluation.

It better work damn good because it sure is ugly!!!!!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

This is all true I suspect, but He was referring to a 2011, not a 2012 IBC, there not the same, the 12 works very well, the 2010-11 do not the Max Brake is better, but lots of things in life are always better.

Thanks Ron,

You beat me to the punch! Am I to assume you are using your factory controller?

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just spoke to Jay at Max Brake to talk about not having a code about brake system show up on the EVIC. He told me about some splicing method so I asked him about what CRath told me to do and he was happy to hear about a better way.

Remove plug from factory controller and plug it into the wiring harness that comes with the brake controller. To fool the computer and do no splicing you need to run a 12GA wire from the hot side of the battery with a 5-30 amp fuse (size really does not matter) and attach to the hot incoming location on the controller. Then do the same with a 12GA wire from the neutral side of the battery to the ground location on the factory controller.

This way there are no splices and it is easy to re install the factory controller. Also you could pay chrysler to remove the controller from the computer but that is time and money.

Thanks CRath!

 

[RonD]

Thanks Ron,



You beat me to the punch! Am I to assume you are using your factory controller?

Yes I am using the Factory Controller, I keep locking for ways that would make the rig stop better, but to be honest I gave that up, and don't evern think about it any longer, it just stops fine, and doesn't do anything wrong

 

[HBarlow]

This is all true I suspect, but He was referring to a 2011, not a 2012 IBC, there not the same, the 12 works very well, the 2010-11 do not the Max Brake is better, but lots of things in life are always better.

"If my truck were a 2012 the factory brake controller would work great. "

Really? I wonder why he said "a 2012 factory brakec controller" if he was referring to a 2011?

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey you are the one that looks silly! I have never defended MY BRAKE CONTROLLER! I have said it works better than the P-2 in my 98. I was the one trying to get a 12 controller to work in my truck but it just wont work.

I guess you forget the people on here that have a 12 and were planning on installing their Max from the last rig but decided that the 12 controller worked just fine.

My Dad has towed with many different controllers from Kelsey Hayes that does tap the brakes to everything between. He has a 12 Ram and has a HH Premier and he said the 12 controller is by far the best controller he has ever used.

He has not used a Max Brake and you have not towed with a 12 factory controller.

When you tow someones trailer with a 12 integrated controller I would like your honest opinion. Until then all you have is opinion without even trying the product you are bashing.

When I am done installing my Max Brake and have towed with it I will give an honest evaluation.

It better work damn good because it sure is ugly!!!!!!

You're defending the Ram OEM brake controller which is not based on brake line pressure but on inertia. The 2012 may be better than the 2011 but it still doesn't compare to the MaxBrake.

I HAVE driven a 2012 with trailer in tow. A friend purchased a 36' HitchHiker fifth from NuWa in Chanute, KS a few months ago and asked me to go to KS with him to inspect it before he bought it. I did and drove his truck pulling the trailer.

Sorry, it is not and never will be as good as the MaxBrake.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"If my truck were a 2012 the factory brake controller would work great. "

Really? I wonder why he said "a 2012 factory brake controller" if he was referring to a 2011?

Harvey I said "IF" . The factory 12 and newer controllers work great. If I had one I would not have purchased the MaxBrake. I am sure I will be thrilled with the Max Brake.

After I have towed I will give an honest opinion.

 

[Cummins12V98]

You're defending the Ram OEM brake controller which is not based on brake line pressure but on inertia. The 2012 may be better than the 2011 but it still doesn't compare to the MaxBrake.

I HAVE driven a 2012 with trailer in tow. A friend purchased a 36' HitchHiker fifth from NuWa in Chanute, KS a few months ago and asked me to go to KS with him to inspect it before he bought it. I did and drove his truck pulling the trailer.

Sorry, it is not and never will be as good as the MaxBrake.

You are correct the factory controller is not based on brake pressure. It uses inertia, Yaw? and other inputs per Stan Gozzi at MayMadness.

Give me an honest answer. Based on your experience with the 12 controller and all other non brake pressure controllers how did the 12 perform?

 

[HBarlow]

I read English fairly well. I knew exactly what you said and meant.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Read and read a lot of threads on brake controllers - here and on the RV forums. There is a strong consensus - somewhat over 80% as far as my unscientific sampling goes - for the MaxBrake towing vehicle hydraulic pressure sensing approach. I have not often seen such a strong majority opinion. The concept makes more sense to me as well - it seems that it would inevitably be more responsive than the inertial type simply because braking cannot begin on the trailer until after the towing vehicle has started to slow. I am going to go the MaxBrake route.



Thanks to CRath for the idea of the velcro attachment method - I have a nice spot on the console as well. I think the only problem I may have is if a dog tail or dog paws and head are hanging over it so I can't see it.



Russell

 

[BILLUA]

I mounted my MaxBrake on the panel to the inside of and below my right knee in the '12. It is out of the way, keeps the fwd knee bolster area clear and I can still reach down to operate if needed. I would attach a pic, but I will not home for a few days.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

BILLUA -



Appreciate a pic any time you can.



Russell

 

[BILLUA]

I will be able to post a pic Saturday night.

Cheers

 

[HBarlow]

You are correct the factory controller is not based on brake pressure. It uses inertia, Yaw? and other inputs per Stan Gozzi at MayMadness.

Give me an honest answer. Based on your experience with the 12 controller and all other non brake pressure controllers how did the 12 perform?

I towed with my friend's 2012 with a 36' HitchHiker Premier only a few miles in city traffic in Chanute, KS when we left NuWa's service area over to the motel we were staying in so my experience with it was limited and did not include higway towing.

My snapshot opinion was the OEM brake controller was disappointing. The trailer brakes were weak and braking was dependent mostly on the truck's service brakes. However, in an effort to be objective, it was a used trailer just purchased by my friend. The service manager who I have known and liked for five years told me that the trailer's brakes were inspected and adjusted but it was possible that the brakes required some usage to wear away surface rust, dust, moisture, or whatever. My friend who owned the truck and trailer drove all the way back to the Lubbock area the following day. Apparently he thought the brakes were acceptable as he didn't mention them and we only made a limited number of gentle stops on the way home. He had little prior experience and none with that truck and trailer so he may or may not have been a good judge.

I know I've beat this dead horse repeatedly for years but I stand by this fundamental point: No inertia activated brake controller can or will ever perform as well as a controller activated by truck brake line pressure. The OEM and every other inertia based controller is reactive meaning trailer brakes cannot be initiated until after and following deceleration created by truck brakes acting without trailer brake assistance. BrakeSmart and MaxBrake controllers are proactive meaning they initiate braking simultaneously with truck brakes.

You'll just have to take my word for it now but once you buy and try one you'll realize Harvey has not been exaggerating or lying all these years he has been making speeches about brake controllers. Try it, you'll like it. I promise.

 

[CRath]

Read and read a lot of threads on brake controllers - here and on the RV forums. There is a strong consensus - somewhat over 80% as far as my unscientific sampling goes - for the MaxBrake towing vehicle hydraulic pressure sensing approach. I have not often seen such a strong majority opinion. The concept makes more sense to me as well - it seems that it would inevitably be more responsive than the inertial type simply because braking cannot begin on the trailer until after the towing vehicle has started to slow. I am going to go the MaxBrake route.



Thanks to CRath for the idea of the velcro attachment method - I have a nice spot on the console as well. I think the only problem I may have is if a dog tail or dog paws and head are hanging over it so I can't see it.



Russell

I don't have any worries about a pet bouncing around... lol... but in reality I rarely even look down at the controller while I am towing my fifth wheel. Braking is so predictable with it that once I set it initially I can feel how well the trailer is braking every time I step on the pedal and if I do need to make any adjustments I can just rest my arm on the armrest and make a tiny turn of the knob and it's done. If you do have dog paws around you might want to find a way to protect the gain knob and manual lever form accidental pet adjustments. Crath

 

[HBarlow]

I agree. Once gain is set adjustment tweaking is never required so there is little need to be able to see the controller. Muscle memory will allow your right hand/arm to find the manual override once you apply it several times for practice.

 

[BILLUA]

BrakeSmart Control placement:

Looking in from drivers door. Note, the seat will not hit the control knob.

#ad


From above

#ad


#ad

 

[Cummins12V98]

BILLUA,

Was the cable that goes from factory controller plug to Max Brake long enough for that location? I see you used the mounting bracket, is it attached with Velcro?

Thanks!

 

[BILLUA]

The MaxBrake cable was long enough, no splicing needed. I used two small trim screws on the bracket. I hate velcro.

Cheers