Would like to buy a used 2500 Diesel

[DieselDevilDog]

Just so you know the importance of a brake controller, I am posting an excerpt from my owners manual. Depending on the brakes installed on what you are pulling, I think a brake controller is required by law for all electronic brakes and for some hydraulic brakes. I think the OEM one works fine for most uses. Not heard any complaints. It is possible to install an aftermarket brake controller, but it is harder to install than it was when these trucks were electronically simpler.

Yes, copy! I have a brake controller on my 2016 now. It's a Teconsha P3 and works fine. I do understand the importance. On the 16 it just plugs right in to the female adapter under the dash. Does anyone know if the 2013 has the same female plug if it doesn't come with an intergrated controller?
Thanks.........................


Diesel

 

[Newsa]

So i should be looking for a 13 with the controller already on it. It seems like if you were ordering a 13 new, you would want a brake controller.
Thanks for that Bob.......................................


Diesel

You'd think a brake controller would be standard. They bought a 2014 Ram 2500 at the school i work at for the Agriscience dept to haul large animals (steers, hogs, lambs).
Someone in their infinite wisdom bought the 5.7 with no brake controller. They also ordered the gooseneck prep, but said there was no money for the ball/chain.

So in Aug 2014 right after the truck was delivered, we used my truck to go get the animals. I refuse to drive their illegal truck. So someone else does.

 

[Newsa]

Yes, copy! I have a brake controller on my 2016 now. It's a Teconsha P3 and works fine. I do understand the importance. On the 16 it just plugs right in to the female adapter under the dash. Does anyone know if the 2013 has the same female plug if it doesn't come with an intergrated controller?
Thanks.........................


Diesel

If they are making plug and play ones, I may be wrong. Does it plug into the obd II adapter?

 

[TMyers]

My 2013 Cummins came with the brake controller, tow and haul, exhaust brake and 2 1/2" hitch. I believe these are all standard with the Cummins trucks.

 

[Newsa]

My Brake controller was an option, but (I think) came with the optional "popular equipment group" package. Maybe it's included with higher trims. Not with the Tradesman

 

[spoon059]

If they are making plug and play ones, I may be wrong. Does it plug into the obd II adapter?

No they don't plug into OBD2 ports. Many trucks are advertised as "pre-wired" for a brake controller. That means that there is a female plug somewhere under the dash that is prewired with brake voltage input from the pedal and an output wire that is prewired into the 7 way plug at the rear of the truck. Also included is a pigtail wiring harness with a male plug that fits into the female plug. The pigtail has the necessary wires to attach to an aftermarket brake controller... a ground, a brake input wire, a brake output wire and a 12 volt positive wire. Pretty easy... *IF* your truck is prewired.

 

[6V92TA]

FWIW an aftermarket brake controller like a Tekonsha can be had for about 70 dollars and in my case on my 16 Tradesman was plug and play. l you might need to buy is the adapter wiring and the brake controller.. in my case the truck was purchased new and the wiring harness adapter for the trailer brake controller was under the rear seat in a bag with directions. installation is a ten minute job. https://www.trailerjacks.com/13-14-...MIxr63lpf42QIVUrjACh0KYg42EAQYASABEgJHT_D_BwE

 

[6V92TA]

We would like to go out west and do a little traveling. The 2016 Hemi pulls fine but it is at the limit of being safe. Our trailer is 7000#. Our truck has the 3.21 axle and that's not to good for pulling. We would do more traveling if we had a Diesel.....I would feel better about the truck pulling our trailer. And the main reason for thinking about a 2013 is the cost. The old Marine is on a fixed income and can't afford a new one.

FWIW you could always change the final drive gearing

 

[KenHwy61]

My Brake controller was an option, but (I think) came with the optional "popular equipment group" package. Maybe it's included with higher trims. Not with the Tradesman

The brake controller is/was an option on the base trim trucks. I had the dealer add it to my 2012 ST. I think it was pretty easy to do and cost a few hundred dollars.

 

[JR]

Just for clarity for the confused- OBD- On Board Diagnostics

Trucks have been prewired for controllers because for decades aftermarket controllers were the only option. Ford I believe was the first OEM to offer an "integrated" brake controller...and it was made by Tekonsha.

I've had alot of problems hooking up to different trailers and getting my ITBM to accept or recognize the trailers brakes. They are extremely picky, if they don't see the proper voltage/resistance you got no brakes. I had to redo the wiring on both my camper and tilt deck when I bought my 14 where my 98 with Maxbrake controller had no issues with either the week before. And it gets better. Just hooked up to my tilt deck yesterday to haul a tractor and guess what...no brakes. Sigh. As much as I like the integration of the controller I'm real close to breaking out the Maxbrake and be done with the factory controller.

 

[Newsa]

Just for clarity for the confused- OBD- On Board Diagnostics

Trucks have been prewired for controllers because for decades aftermarket controllers were the only option. Ford I believe was the first OEM to offer an "integrated" brake controller...and it was made by Tekonsha.

I've had alot of problems hooking up to different trailers and getting my ITBM to accept or recognize the trailers brakes. They are extremely picky, if they don't see the proper voltage/resistance you got no brakes. I had to redo the wiring on both my camper and tilt deck when I bought my 14 where my 98 with Maxbrake controller had no issues with either the week before. And it gets better. Just hooked up to my tilt deck yesterday to haul a tractor and guess what...no brakes. Sigh. As much as I like the integration of the controller I'm real close to breaking out the Maxbrake and be done with the factory controller.

What I really love about the integrated brake controller is that it warns me if something comes unplugged or the brakes stop working due to some current interruption. Priceless!

 

[TCDiesel]

On the brake controller.. if You have 8.4RER the latest version has New settings 1 Light electric , 2 Heavy electric , 3 Light electric over Hydraulic , 4 heavy electric over Hydraulic. check appropriate.

 

[shorthorn]

I would agree, go with the 2013+ trucks... They improved the frame also in those models (may have to go 2014 to get the frame improvements on the 2500???) DEF is a non issue, better milage, and the trucks use substantially less EGR than the Pre-DEF versions.

 

[EDankievitch]

On trucks 13 and newer just drive and enjoy them. The EGR does not require cleaning like the 12 and earlier trucks. It's there but you don't have to even think about it. I buy Wallmart DEF fluid. Unless i'm on a trip towing I'll run the DEF tank down to 1/4 Before adding 1- 2.5 gal jug. It's only a 5.5 gal tank so 2-2.5 gal jugs will not fit an make a mess when the tank over fills. I'd just make sure the truck you are looking at has had all it's flash updates done and all it's recalls. Then enjoy the journey.

 

[JR]

On the brake controller.. if You have 8.4RER the latest version has New settings 1 Light electric , 2 Heavy electric , 3 Light electric over Hydraulic , 4 heavy electric over Hydraulic. check appropriate.

Unless I am misunderstanding you Tradesman models have this as well, but on the dash not on screen.

 

[tommyturbo]

DieselDevilDog. I also agree with '13 and up. You will be pleased with the ease of towing uphill or down.
We went through the same situation as you with our 2003 2500 5.7 with 4:11 axle. The Pioneer 21T TT was less than
#6500 wet but the 5.7 struggled up any grade, especially the southbound I-5 Gorman pass. The '03 had the tow
option with a female trailer brake connector under the dash and a separate factory pigtail plug in a bag under the rear seat if
needed. The Tekonsha Prodigy was a plug and play installation.
My experience.
Tom

 

[Newsa]

Unless I am misunderstanding you Tradesman models have this as well, but on the dash not on screen.

It's on the EVIC under the towing menu

Same 4 settings. Check the right one for your trailer.

IIRC, it also immediately goes to the towing screen if you slide the brake controller

 

[ProLean]

Add my vote to the 13 and up. I was hesitant to go from my 06 5.9 Cummins to the 2014 2500 Cummins I have now but it's no contest! The newer truck is far nicer to tow with considering I now have an exhaust brake that came standard, integrated trailer brake controller, backup camera, gooseneck prep stock, and 6 speeds instead of 4....not to mention 800 ft lbs. of torque stock. The rear coils on the rear suspension are sooo much smoother that my old leaf springs on my 06 as well.
The DEF is no big deal and it's not very expensive and WallyWorld has it for $7 in 2.5 gal jugs. Once you drive the newer Cummins and feel the grunt...no contest. I will say I am still not happy with the 6 speed's shift quality but I drive in Tow/Haul mode and its not bad.

 

[Philip Saran]

Yes the 2012 is the last year truck that does not need the DEF added to it.
What gear ratio does your current truck have 3:42? If you upgraded to 3:73
that would definitely help with your towing. It would be worth looking into the
cost of that upgrade vs selling your truck/buying another truck.

Phil Saran

 

[DaveScott]

For what it is worth, I pulled a 34' airstream with my 2003 2500 4 X 4. That was close to 10,000 lbs. I sold the trailer, but kept the truck. I had no problems with it and I pulled the trailer in the mountains. I do not have an exhaust brake but do have a brake controller. If they have the tow package I think they are all set up for a brake controller. I put mine in when I got the trailer. It was about $80.00. Bottom line, my truck had no problems with the trailer. An advantage of the smaller engine is gas mileage when not pulling the trailer. I would have loved to have a something higher than the 3:74 rear end. I think any Ram diesel with the 6 speed manual will handle your 7,000 lbs trailer.