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Old 05-25-2015, 12:25 PM   #1
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How to set trailer brake controller

I just got my new 2015 Ram 2500 6.4l/4.10 setup and it has a trailer brake controller on the dash. My Ram 1500 did not and I had no problems stopping my rig. Do I need to worry about the brake controller with the 2500? If so how do I set it up?
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Old 05-25-2015, 01:10 PM   #2
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Towards the end it may have some info.
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Old 05-25-2015, 06:58 PM   #3
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Have you checked the owner's manual for the truck? On my '14 Ram 1500, the brake controller setup screen is part of the EVIC display. Use the buttons on the steering wheel to choose braking mode (Electric Light or Electric Heavy). then use the +/- buttons on the brake controller to set the gain.
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Old 05-25-2015, 09:23 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Skippy38 View Post
I just got my new 2015 Ram 2500 6.4l/4.10 setup and it has a trailer brake controller on the dash. My Ram 1500 did not and I had no problems stopping my rig. Do I need to worry about the brake controller with the 2500? If so how do I set it up?
Did you get an owner's manual?
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Old 05-26-2015, 12:14 PM   #5
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Here is what one person suggests for setting the trailer brakes. I set mine to 6 and its feels good go me when stopping
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Old 05-26-2015, 12:18 PM   #6
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Did you get an owner's manual?
X2.....it should explain how to set it up.
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Old 05-26-2015, 01:29 PM   #7
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My 2012 Ram had the setup in the owners manual, with the center display it was easy and step by step even without the owners manual, just pick the type (light, heavy, eoh light or eoh heavy), adjust the gain test the slider.
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Old 05-26-2015, 05:22 PM   #8
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Thanks for sharing, Scootdawg. Much clearer than the owners' manual. I had asked at my Chevy stealership, and got the 10 foot stare in the 5 foot room look. Despite that, love the truck, pulls effortlessly and now I'll be able to come to comfortable stops.
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Old 05-26-2015, 07:46 PM   #9
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I had a 2012 RAM 1500 HEMI towing a Rockwood 8282ws. I set my controller at 4.5 and it was ideal for the truck and trailer to simultaneously brake at the same time. Dealer had told me to go into a parking lot and try the brake controller starting at 3.5. Did that and that's how I found the 4.5 being the best for my setup.
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Old 05-26-2015, 09:52 PM   #10
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I have the same truck (2014) except with 3:73 gears and I have put 25,000 miles on it and it pulls like a dream. My 5er weighs in at just under 10,000 lbs and I set my controller at 5 and it works for me. I use it manually going down steep hills.
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Old 05-27-2015, 08:02 AM   #11
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Fufys my trailer weighs in at 9200 lbs loaded. Going down hills, I use cruise control which uses the engine to slow me down.
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Old 05-27-2015, 08:41 AM   #12
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All great info and thanks everyone. Now I feel that I have enough initial info to set my trailer brakes!
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Old 06-01-2015, 07:25 PM   #13
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Has anyone found the specs of the difference in the light and heavy settings? I can't find any documentation of what heavy and light mean in lbs. anyone find that?
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:12 AM   #14
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Has anyone found the specs of the difference in the light and heavy settings? I can't find any documentation of what heavy and light mean in lbs. anyone find that?
From what I understand there is no corresponding pound number to light or heavy. I was told that the light and heavy setting are boost powers, light in is little boost heavy is more boost. This essentialy just gives you more options and a wider range for setting the proper braking.

For mine I have to max out the light number to get proper braking from the controller and then when I switch to heavy I have it set at 4-6.

Once you figure out your set up by playing with the settings between light and heavy you could think of it as a number in pounds, like if I tow more than 5k pounds I switch to heavy so I do not have to dial up the light setting so much, vice versa, on an empty car trailer instead of having it set to heavy and lock up every time I switch to light for very slight braking.

I hope this makes sense and this is how it was explained to me because I asked the exact same question.
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Old 06-02-2015, 10:22 AM   #15
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My last one was set at 9 and the current one is at 8.

My dealer taught me to always do a brake check whenever I first start out. When on a flat stretch with no traffic, slow to about 5 mph and only use the lever on the brake control...the trailer shouldn't lock up but you should feel them working.


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Old 06-02-2015, 05:07 PM   #16
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From what I understand there is no corresponding pound number to light or heavy. I was told that the light and heavy setting are boost powers, light in is little boost heavy is more boost. This essentialy just gives you more options and a wider range for setting the proper braking.

For mine I have to max out the light number to get proper braking from the controller and then when I switch to heavy I have it set at 4-6.

Once you figure out your set up by playing with the settings between light and heavy you could think of it as a number in pounds, like if I tow more than 5k pounds I switch to heavy so I do not have to dial up the light setting so much, vice versa, on an empty car trailer instead of having it set to heavy and lock up every time I switch to light for very slight braking.

I hope this makes sense and this is how it was explained to me because I asked the exact same question.
That does help actually. just knowing that it doesn't correspond to a lbs limit helps. Thanks for the response.
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Old 06-02-2015, 05:11 PM   #17
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That does help actually. just knowing that it doesn't correspond to a lbs limit helps. Thanks for the response.
No problem at all!
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Old 06-03-2015, 07:07 AM   #18
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Interestingly, my new 2500 does not have "light" and "heavy" settings, just a gain control. Through a little trial and error I got it set at 3.5 and can feel it working. It is A LOT better than my old truck and no brakes.
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Old 06-03-2015, 09:37 AM   #19
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Interestingly, my new 2500 does not have "light" and "heavy" settings, just a gain control. Through a little trial and error I got it set at 3.5 and can feel it working. It is A LOT better than my old truck and no brakes.
That is interesting. You have the factory unit? The gain control is on the unit itself? My light and heavy settings are imbedded in the EVIC, this is in the dashboard menu, you have to go into menu and then scroll down. The setting is not located on the unit itself. have you tried looking in the Menu (EVIC)?

My user manual is generic for all dodge and it states that it is in the EVIC, I just assumed all of them have it. Mine is a cummins diesel, I wonder if that makes a difference.
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Old 06-03-2015, 01:46 PM   #20
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That is interesting. You have the factory unit? The gain control is on the unit itself? My light and heavy settings are imbedded in the EVIC, this is in the dashboard menu, you have to go into menu and then scroll down. The setting is not located on the unit itself. have you tried looking in the Menu (EVIC)?

My user manual is generic for all dodge and it states that it is in the EVIC, I just assumed all of them have it. Mine is a cummins diesel, I wonder if that makes a difference.
Ahhhh, that is why I could not find it. I will try the EVIC settings, I know it is in there. Thanks buddy....
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