Questions on '09 2500

[DThiel]

I'm looking to take the plunge and trade the '99 2500 for a new 2500 short box.



A couple of questions:



Is a plug with the tow package that allows a electric rv brake controller to connect instead of cutting wires?



The rear end of the '09 sits about an inch higher than the '99. Will the back end settle at all after the springs are worked some and does the back drop more with the longer springs on the new trucks compared to the 2nd gen. trucks?

 

[HBarlow]

The brake controller harness that comes uninstalled in the glove compartment of new Rams with Tow Package plugs in at the truck end but is not terminated with a plug on the brake controller end. Brake controller manufacturers don't ship their products with a plug either. It would have been nice if Dodge and the brake controller manufacturers had talked on this but it's a very minor task to solder the four wires together. It would be even better to buy a matching male/female four pin connector set and install on the unterminated ends of the brake controller harness and the brake controller itself and then if you change trucks it would be plug and play. But once you solder the brake control harness to the brake controller you have a plug and play for the next truck anyway.

My '06 dually sagged a lot in the months before I traded it for my C&C. Of course, in fairness, I put 230,000 miles on it in two years and pulled a lot of very heavy fifth wheels with it but I had a set of Timbrens on it to help support the rear end. The need for Timbrens became quickly apparent before I had too many miles on it. IMO the long rear springs of the Gen III dually pickups provide a nice ride but were inadequate for continual heavy towing. I had to have a spring shop make up an extra long leaf on each rear spring. The soft suspension was one of several reasons why my current Dodge is a C&C.

 

[Jim W]

When I bought my Prodigy brake controller from PPL Motor Homes in Tx. They offered for additional charge a wiring harness that plugged into the brake controller and the plug in the Dodge circuit. This harness is model specific IE: Dodge, Chevy and Ford, you will need to order the correct harness for your brake controller and truck. Just providing additional information and a different approach to installing the Brake controller.



I am not running Timbrens nor air bags with my truck for pulling my 5er. I do not think they are needed unless you are pulling extreme loads with your truck. I had them on my 2001 Chevy short box 2500HD gaser, so I know the difference with and without them. My 5er when fully loaded is 11K with a 15% pin weight on the truck. I do squat a little when the 5er is hitched up to the truck but I do run level then. Just my $0. 02