OEM Trailer Brake Controller

[CUMMINS_USMC]

Hey everyone,



New to the forum but not to Cummins. Just traded in my 06 5. 9 on a 2010 6. 7 Mega dually Laramie 4wd.



I am considering installing the OEM Trailer Controller because of how nice and neat it looks compared to aftermarket controllers. Those of you who have them would you recommend it? if yes why? If no why?



Thanks

Chad

 

[HBarlow]

I am not sure you can install an OEM controller that wasn't installed by the factory. New trucks are complex. The OEM brake controller would require a special factory harness and software programming.

Early reports from owners who have them indicated braking performance was mediocre to poor.

A MaxBrake aftermarket brake controller won't look as nice but will provide outstanding, modulated braking.

 

[RustyJC]

Maximum output from the factory integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC) is, in my experience, marginal at best. I have to run at a gain setting of 9. 5 out of 10. 0 maximum to get amperage output to the trailer brakes that even borders on approaching acceptable levels. The Jordan Ultima 2020 on my 2002 provided much higher output than the ITBC.



If I were going to replace it (and ultimately I may), I'd go with the Maxbrake or (if you can find one - they keep trying to go out of production) the similar Brakesmart.



Rusty

 

[CUMMINS_USMC]

How does the Maxbrake affect warranty being I only have 23,000 miles on the truck. I know some shops will find any little mod and try to void your warranty

 

[Bob4x4]

It should only affect directly connected systems

On another note I found the Oem brake controller

Very weak on an 07 Duramax I had borrowed even

With my light weight Airstream

 

[Simplysmn]

Mine on my 2011 has worked great don't have to set it over 4 loaded and i turn it down to 1 when Empty If all you have to do is plug it in and have dealer turn it on at not cost {if your lucky } I'de say go for it

 

[FBrentlinger]

can a dealer go into cpu and turn amps up to 12? 10 isnt working on a 3 axle 15k lb toyhauler. ok to slow it down but need brick wall to stop it. thanx

 

[stick]

Don't waste your money. Go with the Maxbrake.



Stick

 

[RustyJC]

can a dealer go into cpu and turn amps up to 12? 10 isnt working on a 3 axle 15k lb toyhauler. ok to slow it down but need brick wall to stop it. thanx

The "10" on the readout is a dimensionless gain setting - it isn't measuring amperage output like the old Jordan Ultima 2020 controller readout did.



At any rate, I've asked my dealer to check with STAR to see if any reflashes to increase ITBC amperage output are available. According to him, the answer is no.



Rusty

 

[Bob4x4]

can a dealer go into cpu and turn amps up to 12? 10 isnt working on a 3 axle 15k lb toyhauler. ok to slow it down but need brick wall to stop it. thanx

No sir not an option

 

[AfterBurner]

Agreed that oem controller is weak. My first accessory on the truck will be a maxbrake

 

[DRinTyler]

I would have to agree. The factory controller leaves MUCH to be desired. My first trip with 2 1/2 tons on my flatbed (brakes on one axle) left much to be desired in the way of braking action. Had the controller maxed out at 10. My old controler that has been in all three of my previous trucks had no problem locking up the rear tires even when fully loaded. I am very hesitant to pull my 5'er with the factory brake controller. I will let you know how mine does with a 12k gooseneck that I am bringing from Shreveport to Tyler on Wednesday. Hopefully I can report better results.



DR

 

[HBarlow]

How does the Maxbrake affect warranty being I only have 23,000 miles on the truck. I know some shops will find any little mod and try to void your warranty

Not at all. I've had my BrakeSmart trailer brake controller which taps into one of the truck's brake lines at the master cylinder on three Dodge Rams which were all in warranty when it was installed. The amount of brake fluid that is displaced is minute and will have no effect on the truck braking or warranty.

It is a popular internet myth among those who modify and abuse their trucks but Dodge dealerships are not looking for excuses to avoid warranty work or void a warranty if your truck has not been molested with modifications, abused, or poorly maintained. Dodge dealerships are paid by Chrysler to perform warranty repairs and are happy to keep their shops busy.

In fact, most of us have had few or no warranty issues on our Rams.

 

[amsoilman]

My 10 model factory brake controller works very well when connected to my 32ft triple axle toy hauler, and I only have it set to level 6.

 

[CUMMINS_USMC]

Too bad no one makes one that fits in the OEM location with a clean finish

 

[HBarlow]

The BrakeSmart and MaxBrake are not OEM but they don't look bad at all. The imporant issue should be function not appearance.

BrakeSmart and MaxBrake brake controllers provide perfect controlled and modulated braking with exact match between truck and trailer brakes. All but the report by Amsoilman above have suggested the OEM brake controller is not capable of doing that.

 

[stick]

Harvey: People just don't understand the difference in these type of controlers, if they did they would never go back to the out of date pendilum type. Are the Brakesmart controlers still available?



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

Stick,

You are correct. You probably remember as I do, not too many years ago arguments used to spring up here with owners of the junk Tekonsha controllers loudly defending their favorite controllers. I haven't seen one mentioned now in two or three years. What we have seen is dozens of reports by those that have experienced hydraulic over electric controllers and found religion.

No, the company in Weatherford, TX that specializes in hot rod components that bought the rights never seemed to have much enthusiasm for the product and apparently let it die. A few hundred of us like you and me who were fortunate to buy them ten years ago were very lucky.

The MaxBrake is functionally as good but the control box itself is not as attractive and doesn't offer as many handy features.

Mine has been in use ten years and 500k miles on three different Ram trucks. It still works great like it did out of the shipping box. I hope it lasts until I don't need it any longer.

 

[DRinTyler]

I just returned from Shreveport with the gooseneck and can report that the factory contoller performed much better with 1) bigger trailer brakes 2) much larger load While the factory control setting is still higher than my previous controller pulling the same trailer, it was no where near double as with my flatbed. I had to dial up the setting to 6. 0 vs running at a 4. 5 to 5 on the previous controller. I did notice that the trailer brakes applied gradually (too gradually for my liking). I am wondering if the the factory trailer brake is somehow tied into the rear wheel brake line pressure? Larger loads require more pedal action, translating to line pressure. The system is software contolled, so it would stand to reason that deceleration rate and speed are also tied into the system and ultimatly how much the trailer brakes are applied. Perhaps the driver set gain is the maximum the system is allowed to apply during breaking (to prevent trailer tire lockup?) This is the only thing I can figure. I had to get on the brakes really hard with this load and actually managed to force the trailer brakes to lock up on the front axle at the 6. 0 setting. Maybe it will just take some getting use to, but no matter, the software needs some tweaking.



DR

 

[HBarlow]

DR,

That's good if the OEM brake controller works out for you.

The great advantage of the aftermarket BrakeSmart and MaxBrake is they are not truck computer controlled and don't allow an engineer in a cubicle in some office building in Auburn Hills, MI to calculate the amount of braking you need or rate of application.

The BS and MB controllers measure the brake line pressure created by your right foot and provide exactly that amount of trailer brakes - everytime. If you apply light pressure on the pedal the trailer responds exactly like the truck does. If you command hard braking, the trailer follows your demand.