Trailer Brake Box location

[Big_Horn]

As of this week I am a first time Dodge owner. I picked up a 06 Ram 2500 TD, manual transmission. I have an eletric brake box I need to mount for towing. But I am in need of a location for it. The only place I have found is under the dash, at about where my right leg is for the throttle. It may get in the way and it is sure hard to reach if I need to use it in an emergency. Any other ideas?? pictures would be nice...

 

[Alan Reagan]

I don't have pictures this morning, but mine is mounted on the to the left of the lower dash panel edge with the face of the controller almost flush with the lower dash panel. It is accessible and out of the way. It's high enough that I haven't bumped it once with my shin.

 

[sarj]

That's where I put mine. My buddy did the same on his new Dodge, but he put it lower and level. Mine is higher and angled in front of my right knee. I'm 6'4" and there's plenty of room and it's easy to get to.

 

[JThiessen]

I put mine on the right side also. Hasnt ever got in my way (and I'm 6'5").

 

[Big_Horn]

thanks for the quick input fellas!! I pondered possible locations and I think that I'm going to use the right side and will probably use double sided tape. (you see I have this thing about puting holes in the dash)

 

[Alan Reagan]

There were two dash attachment screws down there. One on the left side where I mounted mine and one on the right. I just used one of those and it worked just fine.

 

[RMachida]

I initally installed mine on the knee bolster but wasn't too happy with it. Moved it to the little cubby hole under the heater controls and like it a lot better. Still easy to reach, I can see the display, and I don't bump my knee on it anymore.

 

[crobertson1]

Here is where I put my Prodigy. I put it there with the thought of my wife having to engage the trailer brakes manually, while I steer, in mind. Also, the thought of hitting my knee against it bothered me, plus I like the way it looks there better.



Try this link to my reader;s rigs:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&userid=15030&albumid=16888



BTW, welcome to TDR!



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[JFaulkner]

I put mine in the same spot as crobertson1 and I also have the prodigy. Works really well there, it's out of the way and hidden. Would have been better if the pocket was deeper since the controller sticks out a little, but still better than kicking it.

 

[Cryotek]

Mine is one the right side of the dash. No problems to talk about.

 

[wneubauer]

Mine is one the right side of the dash. No problems to talk about.

Same here. Works great and I still have my cubbyholes on the dash... .

 

[WMoroni]

Putting it on the on the dash in front of your right knee works really well if you are average height or above. I'm 6'4" and have never come close to bumping it. My wive on the other hand is only 5'4" and when she gets the seat close enough to reach the pedals her knee bangs into the box every time she moves her leg. She doesn't like to drive my truck because of this. I think it'll stay right where it's at.

 

[Big_Horn]

Wow fellas great replys!! thanks...

 

[wcjp]

I refused to put the brake controller anywhere my knee would hit during an accident. It must also be accessible during an emergency. I'm not sure how many vehicles (of all makes) I've seen where the brake controller was way down low on the dash. There's no way a normal person would have the ability to keep track of traffic, stay in the lane and emergency brake with the brake controller override while the unit is way out of reach.







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[MikeBeggy]

Mine is in the "standard" location to thr right of steering column and on the underside of dash. In the owners manual and my contrloller's guide, this area is considered the knee bolster and is an integral part of the vehicle crash protection system (I guess your knees smash into the bolster in a frontal collision). In both manuals, it warns against mounting anything in this area. Would this be a lesser version of one's assuming liability for violating the manufacturer's design criteria?(Like operating over the GCWR as many do). Mine is mounted there because on my 05, the was no other reasonable place like a cubby hole. Also, noone else touches my truck (drives it) so I figure my knee is the only one that will get smashed. I guess I know too many lawyers and have seen the kinds of things that they will do for money. Just a comment for entertainment of the readers.

 

[MikeBeggy]

BTW, since I did give some thought to my mounting location, I put the unit flat on the knee bolster, I used very light #6 screws directly into the plastic and put a rubber guard on the lower edge ( I hope it will break loose in an impact). I never under any circumstance operate over my GCWR, that's what bigger trucks are for. I reread my previous post and sounded like I was one of those other guys.

 

[sawmillman]

Mine is next to the transmission

I installed my box to the left of the console of the transmission. I have the 6 speed. I removed the long tray to get to the nuts. I have pulled a lot of trailers and have had to brake in emergencys. I cannot remember ever going for the box to stop the load. I seem to have both hands on the wheel and both eyes on where I may have to maneuver. I keep it adjusted where the trailer carries it's own weight and when you jam on the brakes the truck and the trailer work as one unit. I also installed my CB beside the box. I am 6'2" and it does not get in my way. I did angle the unit to face me so I could read the output. Gene

 

[SOneill]

Did mine just like crobertson1 and JFaulkner with a prodigy.



Works great, easy enough to get to, and would do it again



Shane