Trailer Brake Controller

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I am preparing my rig to pull a 27 ft. travel trailer and would like to know if any fellow trailer haulers can recommend a quality (and easy to install) electric brake controller. I have read previous threads in the Product forum and there seems to be no consensus as to which is better: electronic or pendulum activated, etc.

I was a dummy and did not order the trailer tow package on my 99 2500 so may not have the wiring harness to plug into. If the harness is installed is it easy to identify?

Any input will be appreciated.

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1999,2500,QC,SLT,4x4,5 spd,3. 54 ratio,Cummins ISB,Driftwood.



[This message has been edited by Joel Coughlan (edited 03-02-2000). ]

 

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Tekonsha Sentinel. Works great. Only problem is finding a good place to put it in the Ram.

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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed

 

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As far as install, the electronic is easier than the pendulum, as it can be mounted in any fashion. I recently installed the Drawtite activator. No complaints. Some have have reported difficulty with adjustments, but no problems here. The harness(if you have it) is a blue plug located just to the left I believe of the steering column under the dash, attatched to another large harness. In order to make use of it, you will need the other end of the connector which attatches to your controller. On my y2k, that was supplied with the truck. There are a lot of good controllers that seem to work well, just stick with a reputable brand. They all just require getting used to how that particular unit funtions. Good luck,
Craig

 

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I agree with Ninearrow, the Tekonsha Sentinel is easy to install, and believe me, I'm an idiot when it comes to installing gear on my truck! I think I did the job in less than ten minutes.

On my truck (98. 5) it's a blue connector, on top of a long series of connectors, to the left of the steering column, under the dash. If you bought the tow package with the truck (and I see you didn't) there should have been a matching connector provided with the truck.

I mounted mine on the lower part of the dash, to the left of the steering column, though one could argue it's too close to my knees to be safe.

You can check out this and other Tekonsha controllers at http://www.tekonsha.com

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Ricky
'98. 5 ISB, A/T, 2500, 2WD, QC, LB, TT

[This message has been edited by gamehack (edited 03-02-2000). ]

 

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I have a pendulum type and am switching to the tekonsha sentinel, before summer. The pendulum is difficult to use if you tow different loads. I am sick and tired of locking up my trailer when it is empty...
Jack

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1997 4x4, 3. 54 rear, 5 spd, red, vinyl floors.
Banks Stinger Plus, BD 4" cat back (minus muffler), K&N (not Scotty YET!), Delvac 1, Lund cold front, Shelf-it overhead storage system, CB mounted overhead like the BIG rigs!
Pull Trailswest 2 horse slant, 1972 8' Bell slide in camper (heavy son of a gun), Sylvan 1750 jon with 60/45 Merc. Jet prop, and one great hunting Black Lab

Check out my pics: http://communities. msn.com/BigRedDodge

 

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You may want to look at Jordan Research controller at www.jordanresearch.com .

I used it this past summer on an 8k trip. It is electro-mechanical. It connects mechanically to the brake pedal. Thus the more pressure (displacement) the more trailer brake is applied. The rate is then the rate that you press the truck pedal. It also has a manual switch for those occassions as well.

Just my $0. 02

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'99 2500 SLT QC 4X4, LB, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Bullhide spray-in liner, Gear Vendor OD, Jordan Research T-brake, BD E-brake, BD Autolok, 9. 4K pound 5'ver

 

[Archive]

You may want to look at Jordan Research controller at www.jordanresearch.com .

I used it this past summer on an 8k trip. It is electro-mechanical. It connects mechanically to the brake pedal. Thus the more pressure (displacement) the more trailer brake is applied. The rate is then the rate that you press the truck pedal. It also has a manual switch for those occassions as well.

Just my $0. 02

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'99 2500 SLT QC 4X4, LB, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Bullhide spray-in liner, Gear Vendor OD, Jordan Research T-brake, BD E-brake, BD Autolok, 9. 4K pound 5'ver

 

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I installed the Tekonsha Voyager controller. I have no idea how it compares to the others. It seems to work - that's all I can say.

As far as mounting goes, I found that if I simply removed the computer interface connector from the bottom of the dash (just under the plastic panelling). It's just to the right of where your right leg would be. It's only held in with tie wraps. I just tied it up to another wiring harness, so it's still accessible. I then just mounted the controllers mounting plate right to the plate that the connector was mounted on. Bingo. Done. VERY easy, and a GREAT place for it to sit. Visible, and reach-able.

My . 02

Shawn

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'99 2500 ISB QC 4x4 5spd SB, Camper Special, Tow package, Intense Blue, Armourthane color matched box liner, Reese 14K slider, Tekonsha Voyager, AND I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!
Canadian Advanced Amateur VE6PV

 

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Thanks to all who have responded to my call for help! You have given me very useful information. TDR members again to the rescue!

 

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Joel,your truck is just like mine.
I ordered my last truck('99) with the tow package,but the truck I have now was bought off the lot and it didn't have the factory tow package. #ad

On friday I bought the dealer add-on package from Dodge,and it's very different than the factory installed one. In addition to the hitch,you have to get the big wire harness that goes from the hitch all the way up to the cab for the brake controller wiring.
The blue trailer brake connector that everyone is talking about is still there(but terminates at the next factory connector), but the add on wiring ties to that.

I'll be installing my kit on monday at work, the lift rack will make things much easier.
I had to do the same thing with my '96,four years ago.

-Mike

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'00 QC 2500 4x4, 6spd, LB, LSD, 3. 54, SLT, Dark Garnet, Agate, Camper, Trailer, Fogs, Clarion 6-disc, Smittybilt nerfs, Midland CB, Isspro pyro & boost, K&N Scotty Air, 3" pipe bomb, 2wd low, OEM tailgate lites, Tow hooks, DD stage II, 5. 9L R/T

A vulgar display of power!

 

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I use the Sentinel and like it a lot. I mounted mine in (Y2K) truck in the compartment that the large ashtray used. Just remove the ashtray, machine the mounting ears off the Sentinel (so unit is not too wide to fit into ashtray slot) and attach to top of slot with taped velcro. Works like a charm. \
Ron

 

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(Boy, that was weird! Thought I was posting in my sleep!) Anyway, I did the same thing except mounted the Tekonsha Envoy SX in the ash tray space (no machining required), however, it is a pendulum type, but seems to work good.
Ron (one of the other ones).

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'00,2500,4x4,QC,LB,6spd,3. 54,4wABS,Camper-Trailer packs,BD Brake,Pullrite 20. 5K 5hitch,Tekonsha EnvoySV,CobraCB,Flame Red/Silver.

 

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I installed my Tekonsha Voyager from my old truck last week. I didn't want to locate it at the bottom of the dash. I pulled out the ashtray, and it fits perfectly! There is an opening in the back where the connector easily fit through. Drilled two holes for the mounting bracket. If I ever remove the controller, the ashtray goes back in, and no-one will ever know.

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2001 ordered 12/20/99. Arrived 2/9/00 2500 RC, SLT,4X4,ETH,6-speed,4:10 anti-spin,Camper special,cab clearance lights,GPD trailer tow mirrors,sliding rear window,Snow Plow prep, power seat, INTENSE Blue/ agate.
Hinckley, Ohio

 

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I agree with Rattlin, I too have the Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller. This controller is extremely well made, performing just as well while towing. The mechanical brake pedal connection is a cable assembly very similar to a brake cable on a bicycle. . this is how the excellant proportioning properties are attained. By exactly mirroring your service brake application the Ultima 2020 creates the illusion that nothing is being towed (assuming you have the gain dialed in. . which is very easy, as you can way off and still experience exceptional trailer braking). No pendulum, no electronic timers, no trailer braking lag, just smooth trailer braking. An L. E. D. digital gain readout is utilized as well as an L. E. D. for trailer brake continuity.

As the Ultima 2020 can be mounted at any angle (and offset from the centerline of the brake pedal), I elected to mount my controller beneath the steering column on the knee bolster. The Ultima 2020 does not utilize a mounting bracket instead, you screw or bolt right through the aluminum case. This makes for a very clean installation!

The ONLY thing I can possibly whine about is the price... it runs a cool $150. right from Jordan Research. I'd still buy another one in a heartbeat!

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, "Scotty Air System", BLACK '00 valve cover, Hitco/Geno's exhaust blanket, Femco/Geno's EZ Drain oil pan plug, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, plus many other trick modifications

'00 Polaris 6x6

 

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Just an update. I decided to buy a Jordan Research Mark 4 all electronic brake controller; not the top of the line Ultima 2020 but only cost $50 from Campers Choice. I also purchased the wiring harness that connects from the controller to the vehicle blue connector under the dash. The price was $9 from Camping World, and compared to the one I priced from the Dodge dealer ($74) is a bargain and had longer and sheathed conductors to boot! Go figure!!!

Based on the great input from TDR members, I think I will look at mounting the Jordan Mark 4 (measures about 5" long x 3" wide x 1 1/2" high) either in the ashtray hole or on the computer connector mounting plate. And will probably use Velcro tape for mounting.

As for the wiring from the engine compartment to truck rear, I found out the trailer dealer I am purchasing from will do that gratis. Not a bad deal!

Thanks again to everybody for the info.