Choosing IBC Settings on '16 RAM

[jorn_k]

This is my first fiver setup ever. I have a 2016 Ram Megacab 2500 with the Cummins, pulling a 2016 Coachmen Chaparral 360IBL. Trailer is 14k max wet

I have no data (that I could locate in any manual) to help me select the brake controller settings. Light Electric? Heavy Electric? Light Electric over Hydraulic? Heavy Electric over Hyrdaulic? Leave default gain values? What setting should I start with, considering my rig, and why?

[W5CI]

IMHO you should use Heavy Electric, unless your 5er came with disc brakes. At 14K you are not Light electric.

[325BH]

Lots of trailer for that 2500. Considering you are way overweight, I would select Heavy Electric with the gain maxed out.

I assumed your trailer does not have hydraulic brakes.


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[shorthorn]

Heavy electric, I run gain around 6.5-7 on my dually. Use the exhaust brake too! Lotta weight for a 3/4 ton... our 360IBL is why I sold the 2500 and got this dually.

[SuicideSaints]

Definety heavy electric setting and start the gain around 5 ish and play with it form there.

[jorn_k]

Thanks, folks, for your response to my question.

[Kenny kustom]

Keep in mind, the voltage is reduced, under 30mph


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[jorn_k]

Originally Posted by 325BH

Lots of trailer for that 2500. Considering you are way overweight...

What data are you basing that upon? I tried to buy more truck than I needed.

[jtatum65]

I have a '16 2500 Big Horn and have it set to heavy electric. The gain is set to 5.5 and I have no problems, but then again I have a lighter FW around 10000lbs.

You want to set the gain so that when you apply brakes that the trailer starts to break before the truck does. You want the trailer to assist in braking by holding back a little and not rely in the truck holding the trailer back. Something I learned from 12yrs of OTR trucking.

[jeepman71]

I run my 2015 3500 at heavy electric and 6 or 6.5 gain and use the exhaust brake and tow mode. Works well for mine at 12K.

[shorthorn]

Originally Posted by jorn_k

What data are you basing that upon? I tried to buy more truck than I needed.

Jorn.. I am not a card carrying member of the weight police, but I will say what they would tell you...

Your 2016 Ram 2500 Mega Cab has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. If you use the MFG "base weight" of that truck (assuming just 1 skinny driver) it is 7,970 lbs. That means that you have 2,030 lbs available for pin weight / hitch weight / passengers & luggage.

The Chaparral 360IBL is a 14,000 lbs. 5er. Typical fifth wheels have 20 to 25% pin weight.... In other words, your pin on that trailer is between 2,800 and 3,500 lbs (more than likely closer to 3,500 than the other way). Keep in mind you only had 2,030 lbs availibe for pin weight, hitch weight, passengers, fire wood, you name it. More than likely your truck is 1,000 lbs over GVWR wet and loaded.

We should also consider the Rear Axle... That truck has a rear axle weight rating of 6,500 lbs. Per the Ram spec sheet, the base weight on the rear axle of that truck is 3,087 lbs. This means you have 3,413 lbs. before your rear axle is over loaded. By the time you put a hitch in the bed, add the pin weight and passengers, your rear axle is more than likely over loaded as well.

We could also consider GCWR (although the Axle and the GVWR, I would argue are probably the most important ones) for your truck is 25,300 lbs... With the 14k lb 5er and the 7,971 lb camper you are 3500 lbs. under your GCWR. No shock here... 3/4 tons are always limited by payload / rear axles.

Now... all of this is calculated using "mfg base weights" for the truck... Your truck is more than likely heavier, especially once you add the family and hitch.

Now you see why I sold my 3/4 ton when I bought the 360IBL. I am sure that truck will pull that trailer all day long.... but I would certainly be very careful with over loading the rear axle. I would hate to see some sort of failure which might affect your and your family.

[btritschler1437]

A commentator on "Turbo Diesel Register" discussed this issue and suggested using Heavy Electric over Hydraulic due to the reduction in voltage under 30mph as stated earlier. I use that setting on my RAM and it has improved my stopping, especially under 30mph.