Electric Brake Controllers for Ram

[SSchoenfelder]

Does anyone have any experience hooking up an electric brake controller for the 2003 Ram 2500/3500's? I am interested in which product to use and installation tips.

 

[whamby]

Just use the pigtail provided with the truck. All you have to do is follow the instructions to match up the wires and plug it in. Very easy. As far as controllers I prefer Tekonsha others may tell you Jordan or other mfg's. It is pretty much a personal preference.

 

[klenger]

Welcome to the TDR. You might get more response posting this on the Towing and Hauling forum. I have the Jordan and am very happy with it. Many others will chime in.

 

[dnitzel]

I've had excellent results with the Prodigy Brake Controller from Tekonsha. Just match the wire colors to the supplied Mopar plug, if you have the tow package, mount the unit and plug it in. It mounts easy and is easy to set up and adjust. It also features a voltage reduction to the electric brakes after “X” number of seconds of “hard” braking after the vehicle has stopped to reduce brake coil overheating. I mounted mine to the right of the steering wheel on the knee bolster (just above the bottom edge of the dash panel). Just follow the detailed instructions. I've had two other low cost brake controllers and the Prodigy blows them away. From what I've heard and read, Jordan makes a good one to. The difference? Prodigy uses an accelerometer and microprocessor to calculate the braking voltage (force) to the electric trailer brakes. From what I've read, the Jordan connects directly to the brake pedal, meaning that the travel of the brake pedal determines voltage (force) sent to the trailer brakes.



Visit their web sites at http://tekonsha.com/ and http://www.jordanbrake.com/



I would also like to add that Dodge has made an excellent towing setup.

 

[Boonieman]

I'm using the Tekonsha and have had good luck with it. I installed it myself, and it was no problem. They didn't give very good instructions on the location of the plug, but it was pretty easy to figure it out. It was a tight fit though, and made me a little nervous that I was plugging it in the right spot.

 

[preleeguy]

Jordan

I read as much as I could find in the towing section about this subject. I was and am sold on the Jordan I bought. Put it in this last week and pulled for the first time with it this weekend. Wow, It is one sweet unit. I am very impressed,to say the least. A little pricey compared to others, but worth every penny. Others work fine I'm sure, but you asked . That's my story and I'm stickin to it. Good Luck.

 

[DPKetchum]

I'm sure the controllers have changed and are very improved but from 1990 to 1999 i went through four Tekonsha brand controllers. They just quit at most inconvenient times. The last one quit and i went to a major R. V. store and the tech their said was not uncommon. Said you need a Kelsey Hayes and that won't happen again. Since have had a Kelsey Hayes controller with no problems.

 

[Badunit]

The plug is on the emergency brake mount. There's a wiring harness directly in front of it that's kind of in the way.



I also mounted my controller on the knee bolster to the right of the steering wheel. I wish there was a better location, I really wouldn't want to knee the thing in an accident, but this was the best I could do. Some have the controller mounted in the cubbie where the heated seat controls are (they don't have heated seats from what I've seen, though).

 

[ImagesThatSing]

I am preparing to mount my brake controller on our new rig and am interested in any/all creative solutions regarding where to mount it. Not much room as y'all know.



Thanks

 

[Dean Upson]

I use the Prodigy and the Mopar connection that came with the truck.



Dean

 

[Boonieman]

I also mounted mine to the right of the steering wheel, and I angled it upward so it's at the same angle as the dash and it's out of the way. I was told it was OK to mount it that way... . but..... there is an indicator mark on a large knob on the side of the controller (not the brake adjustment knob)... anyway, the trailer dealer where I got it told me that it didn't matter what angle the controller body was installed, but it is extremely important that the indicator on the large knob be straight up and down. He told me that if this isn't done, the controller can't act erratic. It has been fine for me.

 

[boonsur]

I'm planning on the Prodigy, but wonder...



If it works off an accelerometer, what happens when the truck "bucks" over bumps, etc. ? Do the brakes twitch, or is there simply a built-in dampener?

 

[dslcummins]

Tehonsha makes a wiring harness for the Prodigy and the 03, part number 3020. It cost about $12. All you have to do is plug it into the Dodge plug and plug it into the Prodigy.

 

[jdiebold]

This is my solution for the install of my Prodigy. I'm going to reroute the wires, but i like the location. My knee kept hitting it when I had it to the right of the steering wheel. Sure glad I used velcro. I used velcro on this install also. I mounted the bracked to a peace of wood, painted it black and added 3 little velcro strips to the wood to hold it all to the center counsole.



JD

 

[Casey Balvert]

I have the Prodigy and like it. This is how I mounted it. The knee bolster is attached by two screws. Look at the back before drilling the two mounting holes. In the event of an emegency it is readily accessible to the driver in this location.



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[Dean Upson]

Mine looks about like yours, Casey.