Adding trailer brakes

Soonergrand · Mar 4, 2024

I am trying to figure out if there is another option to add trailer brakes to my 2020 Ram 1500. I came across obdjenie they have a kit for the oem trailer brakes for like $400. I don't know much about them. I went and priced from the dealer and it's $450 for parts and an additional $400 for labor which is just crazy to me. Just looking for some advice.

crash68 · Mar 4, 2024

People have reported issues with trailer brake modules that are not the OEM version.
It is possible to install the OEM kit yourself and then either use AlfaOBD to enable it or have the dealership enable it. Costs for the dealership to enable ranges but a bunch of members have reported 1hr labor.

CanuckRam1313 · Mar 4, 2024

^^^ THIS!

CanRebel · Mar 4, 2024

Soonergrand said:
I am trying to figure out if there is another option to add trailer brakes to my 2020 Ram 1500. I came across obdjenie they have a kit for the oem trailer brakes for like $400. I don't know much about them. I went and priced from the dealer and it's $450 for parts and an additional $400 for labor which is just crazy to me. Just looking for some advice.

I agree with Crash, get the OEM version. Install it yourself. It's very easy. Some dealers will enable it free if you purchase from them. Sounds like yours won't, will charge a lot. But you can ask, after you install it.

Otherwise enable it yourself with alfaODB. You will need to buy AlfaODB, Security cable (2018+) and ODB module to connect.

chopperman1 · Mar 4, 2024

Be VERY careful with the different years, it must match. Amazon and Ebay are flooded with Chinese knock-off's that sometimes even look like the real thing. There is one vendor on eBay I can vouch for and that's Steve White motors.

It's still going to cost around 400$ even doing it yourself with Alfaobd BUT, you'll then still own Alfa and OBD adapter to do other mods to your truck including diagnostics.

2003F350 · Mar 5, 2024

Agree with the guys above, get an OEM unit.

Sounds like your dealer is trying to rip you off - when we had it installed in my wife's truck, I had the dealer do it and it was like $400 INSTALLED, so parts and labor. We dropped it off and picked it up a few hours later finished.

If you're going to do it yourself, make sure you get all the correct part numbers - you may want to contact a dealer with your VIN and ask them what part numbers you're after. Even if you don't buy from them at least you'll know you're getting the right parts.

It's a crapshoot on aftermarket ones. Some guys get them and they work fine, others have nothing but problems.

Jim BB · Mar 5, 2024

I agree with above posters !
If you are handy and kinda mechanically inclined I would be buying OEM and install it myself
then buy OBD Mx And the security bypass cable the the AlfaOBD program then you own it and are able to upgrade truck for Example open up your security alarm system, add tow mirrors, remote start! just to mention a very few thing ! so it all pays for it's self !
If you wish to know where to get thing Pm me

PolarisCobra · Mar 5, 2024

I got one of these for my travel trailer last year.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/CURT/C51180.html

Seems to work fine. Trailer brakes kick in as they should, can be adjusted as needed, and if you mount the phone on the dash, there is a button you can press to activate the trailer brakes when you need them.

Also available on Amazon.

turkeybird56 · Mar 5, 2024

crash68 said:
People have reported issues with trailer brake modules that are not the OEM version.
It is possible to install the OEM kit yourself and then either use AlfaOBD to enable it or have the dealership enable it. Costs for the dealership to enable ranges but a bunch of members have reported 1hr labor.

OEM all the way ^^^

stevenP · Mar 5, 2024

Went with the after market Tekonsha P3 controller and the add on wiring harness adaptor for less than half the OEM system costs. 20 Minute install.

2003F350 · Mar 5, 2024

stevenP said:
Went with the after market Tekonsha P3 controller and the add on wiring harness adaptor for less than half the OEM system costs. 20 Minute install.

While Tekonsha is a quality unit, it doesn't work WITH the truck's brakes like the OEM unit does. It is still based on a pendulum, which is only as accurate as its setup. The OEM unit works off the pressure applied to the brake pedal and modulates the trailer's brakes accordingly.

2003F350 · Mar 5, 2024

PolarisCobra said:
I got one of these for my travel trailer last year.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/CURT/C51180.html

Seems to work fine. Trailer brakes kick in as they should, can be adjusted as needed, and if you mount the phone on the dash, there is a button you can press to activate the trailer brakes when you need them.

Also available on Amazon.

I don't recommend these, for a few different reasons. The primary one being that it isn't hardwired to anything. It also isn't a slide lever I can use to manually apply the brakes, it's a button on a screen which is...not how the slide lever should work.

Then there's the issue of outside electrical interference. Don't get me wrong, bluetooth is pretty solid, until it isn't. For instance, there is an approximately 1-mile stretch of road near my home where the bluetooth connection between my truck and my phone (same happens in the wife's truck, as well as my FIL's truck) acts up, and sometimes fully disconnects for a few seconds. We have pinpointed where the area starts and stops, but we cannot figure out what causes it.

Now imagine you're in an area like that, and some outside electrical interference cuts your brake controller out, and you need to make an emergency manuever. Now you don't have trailer brakes - a dangerous situation when you have a big, heavy load behind you.

Is it far fetched for something like that to happen? I used to think so. But since we've discovered this 'dead zone' nearby that interferes with bluetooth, I don't think it's as far fetched anymore.

stevenP · Mar 5, 2024

With the optional wiring harness the tekonsha unit, worked proportionally with the trucks brakes just fine. I resorted to this system, due to the OE brake controller in the dash not working with the trailers barkes worth a crap. The only thing I saw was there wasnt a graphic in the trucks EVIC display. And yes the brakes were just serviced on the trailer by me, and were adjusted mechanically to operate .

Tulecreeper · Mar 5, 2024

2003F350 said:
While Tekonsha is a quality unit, it doesn't work WITH the truck's brakes like the OEM unit does. It is still based on a pendulum, which is only as accurate as its setup. The OEM unit works off the pressure applied to the brake pedal and modulates the trailer's brakes accordingly.

There have been many times I wish they still used the accelerometer-type controllers. Way more reliable and easier to adjust in my opinion.

PolarisCobra · Mar 6, 2024

2003F350 said:
I don't recommend these, for a few different reasons. The primary one being that it isn't hardwired to anything. It also isn't a slide lever I can use to manually apply the brakes, it's a button on a screen which is...not how the slide lever should work.

Then there's the issue of outside electrical interference. Don't get me wrong, bluetooth is pretty solid, until it isn't. For instance, there is an approximately 1-mile stretch of road near my home where the bluetooth connection between my truck and my phone (same happens in the wife's truck, as well as my FIL's truck) acts up, and sometimes fully disconnects for a few seconds. We have pinpointed where the area starts and stops, but we cannot figure out what causes it.

Now imagine you're in an area like that, and some outside electrical interference cuts your brake controller out, and you need to make an emergency manuever. Now you don't have trailer brakes - a dangerous situation when you have a big, heavy load behind you.

Is it far fetched for something like that to happen? I used to think so. But since we've discovered this 'dead zone' nearby that interferes with bluetooth, I don't think it's as far fetched anymore.

Have a look at the documentation for this controller if you like. The bluetooth connection allows you to manually apply the brakes, and make adjustments to the sensitivity. But - The controller will work fine without the bluetooth connection once everything is plugged in. If the bluetooth fails for a short while (I don't think I have experienced this), the brakes would still work fine. Reviews are very positive for this device from people who use them.

I'm not saying it's perfect, but an option that can work in some cases.

HickoryC · Mar 11, 2024

In 2019, I went to a camper trailer dealer and bought Husky Quest 31899 Brake Controller, $95.99 & Tekonsha 3034-P harness, $20.79; for a total cost of $126.94 including tax. I reached around under the dash near the center console and found the wired plug for the harness. I have pulled two different trailers between SE Louisiana and the mountains around Flagstaff AZ in 2020 and 2021. Trailer brake works GREAT!

rccma6 · Mar 11, 2024

Soonergrand said:
I am trying to figure out if there is another option to add trailer brakes to my 2020 Ram 1500. I came across obdjenie they have a kit for the oem trailer brakes for like $400. I don't know much about them. I went and priced from the dealer and it's $450 for parts and an additional $400 for labor which is just crazy to me. Just looking for some advice.

Try infotainment.com it’s 400 dollars for the whole package with the programmer. It is built to OEM spec and works just like the factory version. I have installed it myself on 3 different Ram 1500’s. I personally own four Ram trucks one came with the factory brake trailer. I trailer all the time for my work and personal use. I do not notice any difference in either one. That is my personal opinion based on my experience with this product over the last 4 years. Just to clarify I own a 2020 2021 2023 and just picked up the 2024 6 months ago with the factory brake.

VOwens · Mar 11, 2024

Back when I purchased my truck the dealerships could not even guarantee delivery of the parts for 6 months to a year, and that was a guess. I can't recall the reason, but it was not really an option. I went with a Tekonsha P3 controller and add on harness from etrailer.com. Mounted it below the dash and it works just fine. Saved a bundle of money as well. Would have been nice to have everything integrated into the dash, but sometimes that just isn't in the cards.

Hardracer · Mar 14, 2024

chopperman1 said:
Be VERY careful with the different years, it must match. Amazon and Ebay are flooded with Chinese knock-off's that sometimes even look like the real thing. There is one vendor on eBay I can vouch for and that's Steve White i o lymotors.

It's still going to cost around 400$ even doing it yourself with Alfaobd BUT, you'll then still own Alfa and OBD adapter to do other mods to your truck including diagnostics.

I've looked around ebay for parts before.came to the same conclusion..I only buy from Steve white motors.

Adding trailer brakes

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