- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Posts
- 19,061
- Reaction score
- 43,566
- Location
- Central Texas
- Ram Year
- 2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
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Factory Mopar brake controller kits available on EBay for $139.00. Bought one and installed it myself. Took it to Dealer to have it flashed, charged me $100.00. Working great with my travel trailer.
Rheostat may be the incorrect term. I'm referring to the brake controllers from 20 years ago where all you had to do was adjust the gain dial between 1 and 10 until you got the proper amount of braking dialed in, then you didn't need to touch it again. They were simple to use, foolproof, and inexpensive.Just a rheostat would be worse than surge trailer brakes.
One of my older friends told me that "they don't build vehicles the way the used to, and thank goodness they don't". In the good old days one was lucky to hit 100K miles with a vehicle and it usually required a tune up every year. Nowadays it's commonplace for tune ups to be 100K miles apart.
I looked into this. My dealer was willing to sell me the kit for around $200, which included instructions, and then I would return to have it programmed into the PCM (another $100).To save money on the installation, the OP could install everything then just bring it to the dealership for programming(may charge 1 hour for labor).
Maybe someone will chime in if it's possible to enable the OEM brake controller with AlfaOBD on the Gen5 trucks.
The bad part about the app controlled brake controllers is if you need to manually apply the brakes in an emergency situation.On the pretense of a sale, my trailer dealer let me use a brake controller which attached to the hitch and was controlled by an app on my phone. I don't remember the product name, but was not pleased with it and returned it. It either over braked or under braked.
Yes, I agree. None of the aftermarket controllers I looked at blended very well to the interior, either. After looking at several aftermarket versions and talking to people, I'm convinced the OEM version is the best way to go.The bad part about the app controlled brake controllers is if you need to manually apply the brakes in an emergency situation.
The OEM controllers have the advantage due to their incorporation with the vehicle data.
HECK yeah. When I bought MY 19, I had dealer install TT Controls and flash as part of the vehicle purchase and agreed all on dealers dime, not in the sale price of the vehicle,. Told him, trading in a 2015 ED with TT, need on my 19, and not buying w/o a lil give and take. Always work when U head for the door. NOW, with the UAW strike and all that, PPL that want a new vehicle better hurry up, LOL.Yes, I agree. None of the aftermarket controllers I looked at blended very well to the interior, either. After looking at several aftermarket versions and talking to people, I'm convinced the OEM version is the best way to go.
Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 98539 miles.
The replies to this thread stopped notifying me in my email mailbox, as a result I haven't been checking the replies, so I'm a little behind now.
One of my friends when growing up had a '66 like I pictured.The replies to this thread stopped notifying me in my email mailbox, as a result I haven't been checking the replies, so I'm a little behind now.
It's funny you mention driving a Rambler. I've owned them before. Mine was a slightly different model than what you've shown.
Wish I could help, dunno, dealer did mine. Somebody who did this and has more knowledge needs to chime in. Most of the harnesses contain extra wiring for other options not installed, that I can tell U, but not helps your issue.After careful consideration, I wound up purchasing an OEM brake controller. I purchased it from someone on this forum who was very fair, shipped quickly and has offered me great communication including technical advice. I'm very happy with him !
I made the purchase Sunday, received it Wednesday and installed it yesterday. Installation was fairly straight forward. I did take a little longer (about 3 hours) for the installation. It's not easy taking your new truck apart, so I was extra careful during disassembly especially removing the wiring connections. The controller and control wiring connections were taped to the factory wiring harnesses in the areas.
I did wind up with a couple wiring connections that I couldn't find locations for when reconnecting?
One was under the steering column trim plate, had blue marking tape on it, and seemed to fall down from the area below the push button ignition switch (I did not remove it that I remember). The other was behind the center control bezel with the other wiring. I took pictures as I was disassembling and didn't see it anywhere in the pictures.
Any ideas what these go to ?
Thanks for all the help peeps !
Rich