OEM Trailer Brake Controller

[stick]

See, i told you Harvey, people just won't believe that the BS or MB can be that much better.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

Those who have never owned or towed with one think we are blowing smoke. Those who finally try one immediately post, "wow, I wish I had bought one years ago. "

Each to his own.

 

[DRinTyler]

Just a quick note, I submitted a request to Dodge asking them to provide an explanation of the operation of the unit..... what inputs are taken into account to provide output to the trailer brakes and why we are seeing such varying performance from the OEM brake controller? I will post their response when I receive it.



DR

 

[CUMMINS_USMC]

I completely get the concept of the Maxbrake and really like the idea. Another question I have for every one using the Maxbrake is, once you let go of the brake pedal does the trailer let go immediately or is there a delay?



I do like the features and stopping power which is the most important over looks however, the Marine in me likes the neat appearance.

 

[Wertles]

It releases immediately and doesn't give that jerk associated with other controllers. I hate the look of my Max Brake but wouldn't trade it for anything else. Ford has the only OEM controller that works off the same technology as the MB and BS. Too bad Ram hasn't followed suit as that is the best and only feature that Ford has over Ram.

 

[DRinTyler]

Already heard back from Chrysler... . and it is far from the response I was looking for.



Thank you for contacting the Ram Customer Assistance Center in regards

to your 2011 Dodge Ram Laramie 4X4 2500 Crew Cab Pickup.



The information you are seeking is either unavailable or considered

proprietary. General information on the subject matter may be available

via the Internet.

We are sorry that we can not provide this information but we do

recommend that if you have further technical questions that you do seek

this assistance from your local dealership.



We appreciate your interest.



Thanks again for your email.



Sincerely,



Katie



Customer Service Representative

Ram Customer Assistance Center



Imagine that. Proprietary.

 

[craiggo]

I have one on my '10 3500 SRW Crew and I have to say it's nothing compared to the one I had on my '06 Ford. I'm pulling a 9K travel trailer and not very often at that. It's OK, but not stellar. I'd be really unhappy were it not for the exhaust brake.

For those that tow full time, I could see why they would want to replace it but, for me (weekend warrior), it's just not practical. They dropped the ball on this one though. I would have liked to have seen them use a brake pressure system with a paddle brake behind the steering wheel so you don't have to take your hand off the wheel to use it.

Also, if there was some easy way for use to simply turn up the power, that would be a good fix.

The BIG difference here, in my opinion, is full-time vs. part time towers. For PT towers, it's good enough (considering cost, installation etc). If you are a FT tower, you won't be happy. Again, my Ford FBC was light years ahead of this one and it was integrated into the hydraulic system.

Harvey, I really gotta pick your brain on this though. When we were discussing the Edge Insight, you had serious concerns but you installed an additional braking device w/out hesitation? Honestly, not looking for a fight, just curious to hear your opinion.

Craig

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

Harvey, I really gotta pick your brain on this though. When we were discussing the Edge Insight, you had serious concerns but you installed an additional braking device w/out hesitation? Honestly, not looking for a fight, just curious to hear your opinion.

Craig

I'm happy to answer that question.

I don't want to restart the circular argument about whether the Edge Insight is or is not a programmer. I don't know or care. That argument was about perception by the dealer.

But on the broader issue of adding electronic devices that alter engine operating parameters vs. tap brake pressure to provide trailer braking it should be pretty obvious why I disapprove of engine mods and approve of adding an aftermarket brake controller.

Altering engine operating parameters overstresses injectors and internal components and are utterly unneeded for satisfactory performance from the truck. Modifications often cause severe engine damage. Such engine modifications are well known to be prohibited by the manufacturer if warranty coverage is desired. When engines are destroyed the culprit then shows up here whining about evil greedy manufacturers and dealers who refuse to replace the engine or driveline that he destroyed by modification. Then he blames Dodge and Cummins for their product failures.

An aftermarked brake controller, on the other hand, was absolutely required by law and safety issues to tow a trailer until Dodge introduced the half-assed OEM controller recently. Owner reports here suggest it is a poor attempt by Dodge.

Brake controllers that tapped into the tow vehicle's brake lines have been in common use since the old Kelsey-Hayes hydraulic controllers of the '50s. They are safe, reliable, and very effective.

GM light truck brochures through the '90s and into the early 2000 series models included a tiny line of small print stating that aftermarket brake controllers that tapped into a brake line were acceptable as long as they did not displace more than 0. 02 cubic inches of brake fluid. I haven't looked but it is probably still there. Dodge has never had a policy. Dodge has taken no position for or against the products.

The ONLY trailer brake controllers that have ever been used on light trucks that provided precise, modulated trailer braking as called for by the driver and synchronized with the tow vehicle braking have been the BrakeSmart and MaxBrake. They displace a tiny, minute amount of brake fluid. Well within the limit prescribed by GM. Both products are extremely effective, reliable, and safe. They cause absolutely no harm to the host vehicle and provide 100% safe towing. They do not violate any written warranty provisions and I have NEVER heard of a single reported issue caused by one of them.

I have had a BrakeSmart on each of my three Dodges for hundreds of thousands of miles of safe trailer operation. NO truck brake issues have ever resulted and dealer techs have seen and never spoken a question or comment about the brake controller on my trucks when they were in warranty.

In summary, their is really no comparison between magic black boxes to alter engine performance and magic black boxes to provide trailer braking.

 

[HBarlow]

Just a quick note, I submitted a request to Dodge asking them to provide an explanation of the operation of the unit..... what inputs are taken into account to provide output to the trailer brakes and why we are seeing such varying performance from the OEM brake controller? I will post their response when I receive it.

DR

When I read this post in an email message from TDR I opened the thread to tell you what Dodge's answer would be. I see you already received the standard non-reply.

A new Dodge owner would be well advised to address technical product questions like yours to the nearest public elementary school in your neighborhood. You could and would get an answer just as useful from a group of sixth graders as you did from Dodge. It is a waste of a toll free phone call or keystrokes on your keyboard to ask Dodge anything.

 

[CUMMINS_USMC]

Much appreciated Harvey.

 

[CUMMINS_USMC]

Just want to thank every one for your input on this. I am now one of the believers of MaxBrake.

 

[seafish]

I went with the Brakesmart several years ago, JUST before they were bought out and then discontinued, and have never looked back. I was able to mount my in the cubby, right underneath the climate controls on my 2005. I think that it looks pretty darn good there, and it is easy to reach and adjust if necessary, though that is extremely seldom. More imprtantly, I don't bump my need into it like if you mount them low on either side of the steering wheel. What IS nice about these pressure transducer type controllers, is that you CAN mount them in ANY position, and they still function flawlessly and seamlessy. If you are interested, here is a link to a pic of how how I mounted mine--

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...0158-brakesmart-controller-3.html#post2148502

 

[HBarlow]

Just want to thank every one for your input on this. I am now one of the believers of MaxBrake.

Great. Enjoy towing with your new truck.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Dad has been retired since 94 and has towed many thousands of miles and he loves his brake controller in his 2012 3500 HO. I also love my brake controller, it works great. In fact my Dad was planning to put disc brakes on his Hitch Hiker Premier but now with the new truck the brakes work great! We both came south from the Northwest to the Palm Springs area so we crossed many steep passes. The brake controller and the exhaust brake both worked great! If anyone is interested, my gcvw is 27,000 and I averaged 8 mpg with 3:42 gears. My Dad's gcvw is 24,000 and he averaged 11 mpg with 3:73 gears. I pulled the Grapevine at 55 mph. As I suspected I will be changing the ring and pinions to 4:10. It still pulls great with the high gears but the mileage sucks. Mileage is hand calculated.

 

[HBarlow]

My Dad has been retired since 94 and has towed many thousands of miles and he loves his brake controller in his 2012 3500 HO. I also love my brake controller, it works great. In fact my Dad was planning to put disc brakes on his Hitch Hiker Premier but now with the new truck the brakes work great! We both came south from the Northwest to the Palm Springs area so we crossed many steep passes. The brake controller and the exhaust brake both worked great! If anyone is interested, my gcvw is 27,000 and I averaged 8 mpg with 3:42 gears. My Dad's gcvw is 24,000 and he averaged 11 mpg with 3:73 gears. I pulled the Grapevine at 55 mph. As I suspected I will be changing the ring and pinions to 4:10. It still pulls great with the high gears but the mileage sucks. Mileage is hand calculated.

If you are saying your eom brake controller "works great" it is only because you have never experienced towing with a real brake controller. You simply do not know what you are missing so you're satisfied with what you have.



You probably cannot be convinced by words. You'll believe what you choose to believe.

 

[Cummins12V98]

So what you are saying is YOU have sat in MY TRUCK and experienced how well my controller works? I have used the type of controller that you talk about, and I can tell you I have never had as good of braking experience as with this truck. My Dad installed a Max Brake in his 94 Ram because he did not like the Prodigy, he put the prodigy back in because it worked better than the Max Brake. His now works flawlessly in the 2012. Harvey you are slipping, no snide comment on my 3:42 gears this time? I wanted people to know that with my experience and my Dad's towing with many trailers and many thousand miles we are completely satisfied with our trucks built in braking systems.

"You probably cannot be convinced by words. You'll believe what you choose to believe. "

 

[RustyJC]

Out of curiosity, what gain setting are you running on the Dodge OEM brake controller to achieve this trailer braking performance??



Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am probably higher than needed 9. 5. I had to stop fast in heavy traffic and locked up the trailer tires so I will try a bit lighter. I like the trailer to be braking harder than the truck but not so the tires are smoking! Bottom line is you get the controller with the truck, try it you can always go with something else.

 

[RustyJC]

That's what I would expect. I'm running 9. 5 to get anything approaching tolerable trailer braking.



Rusty

 

[HBarlow]

So what you are saying is YOU have sat in MY TRUCK and experienced how well my controller works? I have used the type of controller that you talk about, and I can tell you I have never had as good of braking experience as with this truck. My Dad installed a Max Brake in his 94 Ram because he did not like the Prodigy, he put the prodigy back in because it worked better than the Max Brake. His now works flawlessly in the 2012. Harvey you are slipping, no snide comment on my 3:42 gears this time? I wanted people to know that with my experience and my Dad's towing with many trailers and many thousand miles we are completely satisfied with our trucks built in braking systems.



"You probably cannot be convinced by words. You'll believe what you choose to believe. "

I saw no reason to comment on your 3. 42 gears because in your original post, before you edited it out, you acknowledged that it was a poor choice when you mentioned your plan to replace the gear set with the correct choice, 4. 10 gears.