A-B Comparison, Ram ITBC v. Tekonsha P3

[2013megacab]

I have generally been dissatisfied with the braking performance of my Ram with its integrated trailer brake controller on my 2002 Airstream Classic 30 Slideout (9100#). With my Safari 25 (6300#) I could lock up the brakes, and the combination seemed to stop almost as well, if not as well as, the truck alone. I had previously measured the brake current using the breakaway switch and it was 12 amps, right where it should be so all magnets should be working properly, and I have recently adjusted the brakes.

I've read posts on several forums about whether or not the ITBC was getting full braking out of electric trailer brakes. I remember having superior brakes with my 25 and F-150 using the P3, and many like the P3 for its boost function. I had the opportunity to purchase a used P3 at a good price and was thinking the boost function might be useful to mitigate the Propride/Hensley "bump" so I bought it. I hooked it up today and did an A-B comparison on the same course and under the same conditions.

Test Description:
I tested the stopping power of the controllers under full braking conditions using only the brake controller lever. As I understand it, the lever is supposed to apply maximum current to the brakes when fully actuated.
ITBC setup - Heavy Electric, Gain = 10 (maximum)
P3 setup - Electric, Gain 13 (maximum), Boost at each of 0,1,2,3.

I accelerated to just above 25 mph, put the truck in neutral, and when it passed through 25 mph I applied full trailer brakes with the lever.

There was no appreciable difference between the stop times exhibited by the two controllers. There may have been a slight (<10%) difference in the stop time using the boost function on the P3, but it was swamped by what I think was brake fade, as the most significant factor in stop time appeared to be time since last stop.

Bottom line, if you are considering replacing your ITBC with something else, be warned that it may not make any difference.

Al

 

[vipers95]

Well if the brakes are operating right at 20 miles an Hr. you should be able to skid all 4 wheels. I see your trailer is a 2002 now 15 years have taken a toll on the drums and magnet. I have a full mechanic shop here for our customers who pull large boats or trailers we always pull ALL wheels and look at the magnets and drums as well as the springs and brakes. If the drum or magnet has any marks on it they are replaced. Trailers sitting will get a lot of rust from sitting, it would take a lot of miles to get it all off. Your talking a few thousand for a heavily rusted drum. Pull the drums and take a look if you do it yourself 4 drums and new magnets would be under 350.00 for piece of mind that it will stop when you need it.

Below is a photo of a drum with marks from the magnet, I would bet most shops would say it is OK. Not here. If it is NOT totally smooth it get replaced.

 

[2013megacab]

Thanks vipers95,
I have asked on Airforums and no one has responded that their 30' trailer will skid the brakes. My 6300# 25 footer had 4 12x2 brakes, as does my 9100# 30 footer. What I'm looking at is the cost of replacing backing plate assemblies and drums v. the cost of fitting discs. The replacement of what I've got is about 1/3 the cost of the disc setup and from my research may not solve the problem. I did a quick inspection of one wheel when I bought the trailer. I'm going to do a more detailed inspection, including drum inside diameter for the wear limit, but I'll probably just go with the discs.

I appreciate your input.

Al

 

[SnoKing]

Well I wish I would have kept my MaxBrake controller. It out performed anything on the market today.

 

[Cummins12V98]

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