Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-15-2016, 11:24 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 3,859
dodge ram integrated brake controller

we have a 2015 ram 3500 with the integrated brake controller. we tow a 2015 cardinal 5th wheel (16,000 lbs). I have read several posts saying the brake controller doesn't work properly with the next post saying no problem. I read a post today that mentioned that the towing set up allows for different trailer weights. under 10,000 lbs should be configured as light electric and over 10,000 lbs should be configured as heavy electric. I did not know that this option existing. so we have been towing our trailer with the light electric setting. I changed it today to heavy electric. does anybody know what this change will actually do? what change will it make to the brake controller. I have been towing with the gain up to 9. will I need to reduce this now that the controller is set for heavy electric? is there any final resolution on whether the integrated brake controller works properly or not. could this trailer weight setting be a factor in the post that say it has problems?

thanks to all for the posts. I read them and still pick up little tidbits such as this. how much more don't I know?

getting ready to go to new mexico next week!!! yippee!!!!
__________________
2015 cardinal model 3825fl
2015 dodge ram 3500 dually
CHICKDOE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2016, 05:30 AM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 80
I have a 2015 Ram 3500. My first trip I did not know about the four different settings for the brake controller. I am using electric heavy on seven. Seems to stop ok. When I use the manual control my truck, at idle still pulls the trailer with the hand controller fully applied. I don't like that. I have read that some folks using electric over hydraulic while pulling with electric brakes.
Steve29rlx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2016, 05:36 AM   #3
Member
 
markfromark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Bethel Heights, AR
Posts: 35
I have the same truck as you and also had the same questions about the IBC. You'll need to make adjustments to the gain each time you change the settings. I was never completely satisfied with the braking even on "heavy electric". I had read on another thread (not sure where) that changing the setting to "electric over hydraulic" would significantly improve braking. I made the adjustment and it did noticeably improve the braking. Not completely sure why that setting works, but I am comfortable with the braking now. However you set yours, you'll need to spend driving time to adjust the gain to fit your setting. (I think the condition of your trailer brakes and your trailer weight will influence your gain adjustment.) Hope this helps.

Mark
__________________
Mark and Dianna
along with Hank the Wonderdog
2016 CC Silverback 33IK
2015 Ram 3500 DRW
markfromark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2016, 11:45 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
RangeMaggotBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Somewhere in the Ozarks...
Posts: 1,133
I run mine on "8" heavy electric even though my RV is less than ten thousand pounds. I assume it's correct because when I go to stop, I just barely have to touch my brakes. I don't really feel the trailer brakes, but like I said, it stops real easy so I guess it's okay.
__________________
2015 Forest River Rockwood Signature Series Ultra Lite 8289WS w/Diamond pkg.
2014 RAM CTD 6.7 Tradesman 4WD Auto Crew Cab Long Bed
Honda eu2200i generators
RangeMaggotBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 09:36 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
ov845's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 315
We have a 2012 RAM 1500 with IBC. I have it set on heavy electric and gain at 1.5 the TT weighs in a little more than 7000 lbs. works great! If you feel there's excessive effort there was an issue with IBC having a bad ground connection causing a higher effort in braking.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ov845 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:08 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
rracer5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
There are different braking settings on Dodge/RAM IBC's!!!!?? I don't recall seeing that covered in my owners manual. Was/is that feature available on a 2011 2500 CTD?
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
rracer5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:18 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
ov845's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 315
If I'm not mistaken from 2010 to current. If you're thinking about installing one on your truck the dealer has to reprogram and add the controller thru dealer options I don't recall the code for that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ov845 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:21 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
rracer5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by ov845 View Post
If I'm not mistaken from 2010 to current. If you're thinking about installing one on your truck the dealer has to reprogram and add the controller thru dealer options I don't recall the code for that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Well, since I already have the factory IBC, how do I change to each of the "4" settings til I find the setting I like?
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
rracer5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:34 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
jbhodj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 189
Quote:
Originally Posted by ov845 View Post
We have a 2012 RAM 1500 with IBC. I have it set on heavy electric and gain at 1.5 the TT weighs in a little more than 7000 lbs. works great! If you feel there's excessive effort there was an issue with IBC having a bad ground connection causing a higher effort in braking.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have the 2012 Ram 1500 with the IBC and was not aware I can change from light trailer electric to heavy? Was under impression the half tons only default to light electric


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
Jon & Kristine
Drake 12 and Taylor 9
Sassy 6 human years
2017 Coachmen 292BHDS
2017 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Cummins 4x4
jbhodj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:47 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
jbhodj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 189
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbhodj View Post
I have the 2012 Ram 1500 with the IBC and was not aware I can change from light trailer electric to heavy? Was under impression the half tons only default to light electric


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Never mind what I said since I just double checked this myself and have the heavy electric option avail. Learn something every day


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
Jon & Kristine
Drake 12 and Taylor 9
Sassy 6 human years
2017 Coachmen 292BHDS
2017 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Cummins 4x4
jbhodj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:52 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
ov845's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 315
Quote:
Originally Posted by rracer5 View Post
Well, since I already have the factory IBC, how do I change to each of the "4" settings til I find the setting I like?


Thru the message center on your dash.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ov845 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:53 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
The four trailer brake settings are accessed via the uConnect display. If you installed the controller yourself the factory programming code is XHC. A lot of dealers don't know the code so you might have to tell them that code needs to be associated with your VIN in the factory system and then downloaded to your truck.
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
emm-dee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:55 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
ov845's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 315
Thank you emm-dee.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ov845 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2016, 08:26 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
rracer5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by emm-dee View Post
The four trailer brake settings are accessed via the uConnect display. If you installed the controller yourself the factory programming code is XHC. A lot of dealers don't know the code so you might have to tell them that code needs to be associated with your VIN in the factory system and then downloaded to your truck.


My controller was factory installed. So, what are the steps to changing the settings?
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
rracer5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2016, 01:32 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
ov845's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 315
Mine is accessed thru the information center on the instrument cluster. Go to setup and scroll until you get to trailer brake and select it now scroll thru and pick the setting you want.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ov845 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2016, 09:46 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
rracer5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by ov845 View Post
Mine is accessed thru the information center on the instrument cluster. Go to setup and scroll until you get to trailer brake and select it now scroll thru and pick the setting you want.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk



I'll give it a try.
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
rracer5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 11:44 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
m2kamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 333
This is an interesting topic.

I traded my Ram 1500 for a Ram 2500, both equipped with factory brake controller. Pulling the same TT, on the 1500 I used light electric (<10000 lbs) and 6.5 gain. Worked great.

I tried the same setting on the 2500 and the TT brakes were not as strong. I upped it to 7.5 gain and it is better but not at the 1500s level. Going to max the gain next trip out, then maybe switch to heavy electric and go from there.

Strange that the HD settings are different. I did notice that the trailer plugs on the passenger side of the bumper vs. the driver side on the 1500.

Maybe Ram figures the HDs have hydro boosted brakes and don't need stronger controller settings...
__________________
2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn LvL2 Quad Cab 4x4 5.7L 3.92
Trailer Steering and Integrated Trailer TPMS
GVWR: 7100
GAWRF: 3900 GAWRR: 4100 GCWR: 17,000
Payload Sticker: 1,867 lbs Tow Capacity: 11,767 lbs
Towing a nice 5th wheel near you
m2kamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 12:04 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 3,859
just an update: we have a 16,000 lb 5th wheel. I had the brake controller set to light electric as I did not know you could change the setting. everything I read said that with that weight the controller should be set to heavy electric so I changed it. it's worse than light electric. you cannot lock the trailer wheels on heavy electric even with the gain set to 10! you could with light electric. so I went to a dealer and he said to bring the truck and trailer in and they will evaluate the situation. said it could be any number of things (controller module, software flash, trailer brakes themselves, antilock brake system). i'm really confused. don't the trailer brakes simply so a voltage on the wire and pull the magnets in based upon what that voltage is? i tried to ask the dealer how the various controller options vary this voltage and the service writer couldn't tell me. so i will ask the 'expert' when it bring the truck and trailer in next week.
__________________
2015 cardinal model 3825fl
2015 dodge ram 3500 dually
CHICKDOE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 06:40 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
rracer5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by ov845 View Post
Mine is accessed thru the information center on the instrument cluster. Go to setup and scroll until you get to trailer brake and select it now scroll thru and pick the setting you want.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Tried mine today with and without the trailer plugged in. When I scroll through and try to select trailer brake, it doesn't do anything. I guess on 2011 changing braking options wasn't an option. 😡
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
rracer5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 09:34 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
Quote:
Originally Posted by rracer5 View Post
Tried mine today with and without the trailer plugged in. When I scroll through and try to select trailer brake, it doesn't do anything. I guess on 2011 changing braking options wasn't an option. 😡
Do you have the uConnect system?
__________________
BIRDS AREN’T REAL
emm-dee is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
brake control, controller, dodge

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 PM.