RamBrake Controler

[RClark]

The new trucks come with a installed brake controller. How does it work with electric/hydraulic disk brake units? I have heard stories about incompatibility. Is additional equipment needed to make them work? My present truck has a BrakeMaster and it is great.

 

[RustyJC]

The new trucks have options for electric-over-hydraulic/light and electric-over-hydraulic/heavy available in the ITBC setup screen, so there shouldn't be any problems with compatibility with standard electric-over-hydraulic trailer systems. I haven't seen any complaints that I can recall with the 2015 integrated trailer brake controller. Heck, even my 2011 ITBC that doesn't have the setup options of the current trucks works acceptably with the Kodiak electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes on our 5th wheel.

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

I felt my 2011 controller worked SO SO. I replaced it with the MaxBrake and that was incredible the difference.

My 15 controller works good. I will say the MaxBrake did work better but not by much. I am wondering if it is because I had better quality brake pads on my 07 MS and the 15 MS has the Kodiak.

Rusty if you are interested in the MB PM me.

 

[JWGreen]

I have a 2011 Ram 3500 DRW and have been towing a 1999 34 ft. Airstream triple axle trailer since I traded my 2005 Ram 3500 4X2 for the new truck in 2011. I've towed the trailer 25k miles plus and use the integrated brake controller for the electric drum brakes on the trailer. I have never experienced any problems whatsoever using the factory controller with my trailer. I am looking at a newer (2007) Airstream trailer that has factory installed electric over hydraulic disc brakes. Will my existing brake controller be compatible with the new brakes? I've heard not but that the 2012 and newer trucks had an optional set up for the electric over hydraulic disc brakes. If I have to disable the factory brake controller, what are the options for an aftermarket brake controller? What do I have to do to install an aftermarket controller and disconnect the factory controller?

 

[Dutch & Di]

We used a Max Brake on our 96 Dodge with electric over hydraulic disc brakes on our Carriage. We now have a 2015 Ram 3500 with the integrated controller and are still pulling the same 5th wheel. We have not had any incompatibility issues. It did take a bit of adjustment time for me to get used to the trucks controller when it was my turn to drive but I now like it just fine. We found that for us and our 5th wheel setting the controller at 4.0 works for both drivers without having to adjust the settings. We started out with the setting at 3.5 but I didn't feel it stopped quickly enough for me but then again when I want to stop, I want to stop-- not glide to a stop. Dutch likes this setting better now also. No additional equipment was needed. Hugs, Di

 

[RClark]

All things are mute. My purchase was vetoed by " She Who Must Be Obeyed"

 

[Dutch & Di]

So Sad BUT you're a smart man to not go against "She Who Must Be Obeyed". Maybe someday she'll relent. Good Luck. Hugs, Di

All things are mute. My purchase was vetoed by " She Who Must Be Obeyed"

 

[JWGreen]

OK, no replies to my earlier thread but have an update. I purchased a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and took it to my dealer to install. Told the service manager and the tech that they would need to open the TIPM data and delete the factory installed ITBC or else a DTC would display a message on the EVIC. Service manager just called and said they could not find a way to delete the ITBC from the build sheet or the TIPM. He also said the service manual on my 2011 3500 says the ITBC can be used with electric over hydraulic trailer brakes. He didn't know where to find the way to change the options however. I'm going to travel over 700 mi. to purchase and tow the trailer home and don't want to get there and find out it won't work with electric over hydraulic trailer brakes. The trailer brake actuator (on the trailer) is by ActiBrake which is now out of business. I purchased a Titan EHB actuator and will replace the Actibrake unit when I return home. Comments please!

 

[JWGreen]

URGENT! My dealer service department CAN NOT find the way to delete the factory installed Integrated trailer brake controller from the build sheet and the TIPM. Consequently, a fault code will appear on the EVIC which is an annoyance. The aftermarket Prodigy controller has been installed and appears to be working properly. If anyone knows where I can get the information to delete the OEM controller, I'll pass it on to the dealer.

 

[RustyJC]

I'm using the factory 2011 ITBC with the Kodiak electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes on our 5th wheel, and it works acceptably (sure, I'd rather have the later ITBC with the ability to fine-tune for Electric over Hydraulic, Heavy.) Do you have firm information that the 2011 Ram ITBC won't work with the trailer you're purchasing?

Rusty

 

[JWGreen]

My dealer stated that the factory ITBC was not compatible with electric over hydraulic trailer disc brakes. I did not press him as to the source for his statement. I'm assuming it was Chrysler/RAM technical support. I now have a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 installed and the optional wiring harness for the 2010 and up RAM plugs into the cable going to the ITBC. I get a message on the EVIC to "Service trailer brake system." The trailer I'm purchasing is a 2007 Airstream 34 ft. triple axle trailer. Titan brake tech support told me their actuator would not work with a 2011 Ram factory ITBC so I purchased the Prodigy on their recommendation. Won't know for sure if everything works until I drive from Illinois to SC next week to pick up the trailer. Airstream Customer support was not much help. They had to deal with a recall on these brake systems between 2007-2009. The manufacturer of the actuators they used went out of business after the recall.

 

[RustyJC]

My dealer stated that the factory ITBC was not compatible with electric over hydraulic trailer disc brakes.

I'm glad your dealer never told my truck or the 2010-2011 trucks of others who tow trailers with EOH disc brakes.

Rusty

 

[JWGreen]

Does anyone know why there is a difference in the way the truck trailer brake controller functions with electric (magnet) trailer drum brakes and electric over hydraulic trailer disc brakes? One opinion that I read said it was that the controller diagnostic circuit was expecting to see the loop resistance of the brake magnets all in parallel, some value of ohms. The motor windings in electric over hydraulic brakes must be a significantly different value of resistance and therefore the diagnostics indicate a "trouble" condition. A proportional controller (not a time based controller) sends a varying voltage to the trailer (magnets or motor) based on a deceleration sensor. Is there a difference in the voltage ramp up rate or perhaps a different pulse width with electric over hydraulic? One comment I read said that full 12 volts for a split second is sent to the disc brake actuator (pump motor) to get full pressure quickly and then drops to a lower voltage proportional with the deceleration rate. I tried to get a Tekonsha customer technical help rep to explain the difference but was told that the information was proprietary.

 

[crispyboy]

JWGreen,
I found this quote over at airforums by "Switz". Maybe it will help you.

Our 2012 Dodge 2500HD (along with the all the other factory installed brake controllers) are incompatible with the Titan BrakeRite II SD EoH brake controller. We added the Tuson DirecLink NE and all is well.

To fool the truck computer, the blue brake wire going to the factory brake controller under the dash was cut and both end capped. No error codes are generated by the truck computer.

I ran two 30 amp circuit breaker protected #10 gage copper wires from the battery to the seven pin plug on the back of the truck. One went direct for power and the other detoured to the DirecLink and then to the 7 pin plug.

 

[RustyJC]

IIRC, DRV Suites uses a Carlisle brake controller. The Ram factory ITBC seems to work OK with it.

Rusty

 

[JWGreen]

Thanks crispyboy and Rusty JC for your information. The Titan actuator I have is a BrakeRite EHB not BrakeRite SD which the factory said would work. They specifically recommended the EHB and to avoid the SD. He also advised that the Prodigy P2 will work fine with the BrakeRite EHB. I will look into the Carlisle actuator. Mike at Southwest Wheel also recommended the Titan BrakeRite EHB over the Dexter actuator. He did not mention a Carlisle actuator. A RAM ITBC from 2012 up has a user changeable setting for electric brakes or EoH disc brakes. Source is www.rambodybuilder.com.

 

[JWGreen]

Check out this link to etrailer.com: http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Carlisle/HBA16.html. The compatibility matrix shows that a 2010-11 factory trailer brake controller is not compatible with the Carlisle Hydrastar actuator. It shows using an aftermarket brake controller and a Dodge part number which is just a wiring harness with a connector.

 

[RustyJC]

Well, I guess you'll have to choose what you believe, a matrix or my firsthand experience towing this trailer since May 2014.

Rusty

 

[JWGreen]

OK, Rusty, I get that...yours works. I have a choice and with every choice there is some risk. At the extreme, loss of trailer brakes and a potential accident with damage. I file a claim with my insurance company and they determine I was using equipment with documented non-compatibility. They can (and have) in similar cases reduced the amount paid due to the insured's choice. I don't choose to accept that risk for my equipment.

 

[RustyJC]

OK, Rusty, I get that...yours works.

Sorry to keep repeating myself, but for some reason you seem obsessed with telling me that it doesn't. With a 19K GVWR 5th wheel behind me, I think I'd know if its brakes weren't working.

Rusty