2018 Brake Controller

SuddenImpact83 · Apr 30, 2021

Hi all,

I brought my truck the the dealership this week to have a trailer brake installed to pull my camper. They told me I already have the tow package and just needed it programed. I got my truck back and noticed I can access the tow menu through the steering wheel now, but I have no way to manually activate the trailer brake that I see. Am I missing something still?

Sorry for my ignorance, this is my first new(er) truck, I'm used to only using after market brake controllers.

Thanks for your help.

HDGoose · Apr 30, 2021

What truck? I know my 2500 and 3500 had the trailer brake controller button on the dash. That gave the ability to adjust the gain, and to manually activate the trailer brakes.

LouM · Apr 30, 2021

The 1500's have a slide switch on the lower center of the dash under the radio and AC/Heat controls next to your traction control switch.

GTyankee · Apr 30, 2021

You won't see everything displayed on your Instrument Panel, until you insert a plug or plug simulator into the Rams trailer plug socket

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crash68 · Apr 30, 2021

SuddenImpact83 said:
I can access the tow menu through the steering wheel now, but I have no way to manually activate the trailer brake that I see. Am I missing something still?

Look in the center dash area below the radio for a slide lever that looks like this:

That the manual lever for the trailer brakes and the two buttons above are to set the gain(brake force). Read the owner's manual on how to adjust the trailer brakes as the controller uses vehicle speed in part to determine how much it applies the trailer brakes

SuddenImpact83 · May 6, 2021

Thanks guys. Turns out the Dodge dealer in Michigan don't understand what a brake controller is. They programmed it, so I could see it in the dash menus, but never actually installed it. The truck is back in there now so they can actually do the job this time... at 3 times the original cost.

Jughed · May 6, 2021

SuddenImpact83 said:
Thanks guys. Turns out the Dodge dealer in Michigan don't understand what a brake controller is. They programmed it, so I could see it in the dash menus, but never actually installed it. The truck is back in there now so they can actually do the job this time... at 3 times the original cost.

Can you stop them?

You can buy an install an aftermarket one for less than $100... drill two holes on the plastic under the steering wheel and plug the unit into the pre wired port that is stored up under the same plastic.

2003F350 · May 6, 2021

Jughed said:
Can you stop them?

You can buy an install an aftermarket one for less than $100... drill two holes on the plastic under the steering wheel and plug the unit into the pre wired port that is stored up under the same plastic.

My suggestion is to NOT DO THIS. The integrated brake controller is MUCH better than almost any aftermarket one out there (maybe, possibly a few of the higher-priced ones, which at their price point you might as well go with the IBC), because once programmed it works with your truck's brakes to better proportion the trailer brakes. The vast majority of aftermarket ones, and ESPECIALLY any that can be purchased for less than $100, work off a pendulum, which does NOT give as consistent braking as proportioned brakes like the IBC does.

You'll be happier with the IBC. After having had it on my last few trucks, I will likely never buy an aftermarket one again.

That said, you could have bought the factory IBC and installed it yourself for much cheaper, though it would still need to be programmed. If I recall, you just have to snap out the plastic cover, snap in the brake controller, and plug it in, then program, and it's functional.

crash68 · May 6, 2021

2003F350 said:
My suggestion is to NOT DO THIS. The integrated brake controller is MUCH better than almost any aftermarket one out there

^^°this
Aside from the above mentioned, the OEM ITBM is integrated not only visually but also with the vehicle electronics including the ABS and vehicle stability systems.

crash68 · May 7, 2021

SuddenImpact83 said:
Turns out the Dodge dealer in Michigan don't understand what a brake controller is.

Might I ask which numbnurz dealership this is here in the great state of Michigan?

chri5k · May 7, 2021

+1 on the factory controller. I have a Tekonsha P3 that worked great on my 2003 F250. When I bought the RAM I moved it over to the RAM even though the RAM had the factory system. Never could could get it to brake smoothly no matter how much I fiddled with it. I removed it and use the factory controller. Very smooth braking ever since.

2003F350 · May 7, 2021

crash68 said:
Might I ask which numbnurz dealership this is here in the great state of Michigan?

Indeed. I have come across some dealers who aren't very bright, and some that are absolutely outstanding. The dealer I go to now has an outstanding service department, and I've got a great relationship with them. Their sales team, OTOH, isn't that awesome, so my next truck will come from somewhere else.

Earl Zeis · May 7, 2021

Jughed said:
Can you stop them?

You can buy an install an aftermarket one for less than $100... drill two holes on the plastic under the steering wheel and plug the unit into the pre wired port that is stored up under the same plastic.

Nasty

Earl

Dieselhorses · May 9, 2021

This is gonna be a totally novice question. Do you need a "brake controller" to automatically operate the trailer brakes? I have the tow package also.

GTyankee · May 9, 2021

The Ram factory Brake controller is actually called the Integrated Brake Controller

When you have it, it is displayed on your Instrument Panel

No other brake controller does that

sandawilliams · May 10, 2021

I spent too many years installing and using the knee banger after market controllers under dashes and would never go back if factory in dash units were available.

Loudram · May 10, 2021

Dieselhorses said:
This is gonna be a totally novice question. Do you need a "brake controller" to automatically operate the trailer brakes? I have the tow package also.

Yes, you need some sort of brake controller to activate the trailer brakes. Basic tow packages usually include a hitch receiver and 7 way plug. I believe the upgraded tow package includes the tow mirrors and factory brake controller.

I was tempted to get the factory controller but I already had a P3 and I've never had a problem with it. Bought the harness and it was plug and play. It is a little annoying where it is because I sometimes bang into it with my knee but I'm used to it so I'll deal with it.

Dieselhorses · May 10, 2021

So if I got an aftermarket controller, would it work in sync with my truck brakes?

2003F350 · May 10, 2021

Dieselhorses said:
So if I got an aftermarket controller, would it work in sync with my truck brakes?

Not as well as the integrated factory controller.

Most aftermarket controllers (the 'knee bangers' as we call them) work off a pendulum to determine how much braking force to apply with the trailer brakes. This means it needs to be set up properly, and even then, if the pendulum doesn't see enough swing when you're stopping, it won't apply enough trailer brakes. This can be affected by the angle your truck is at, and even how much load you've put on the trailer.

The factory controller, however, works off your actual braking pressure to determine how much trailer braking to apply. This saves brakes on your trucks, helps keep you straight when stopping, and can actually shorten your stopping distances. It also takes out the angle your vehicle is sitting at - whatever amount of braking you apply, it applies an algorithm-matching amount to the trailer.

I have used a lot of aftermarket controllers, including the famed P3. The integrated controller is superior. I will never go back to an aftermarket one, especially since, for the price of something like the P3, you can get the aftermarket one installed at dealership rates.

Dieselhorses · May 10, 2021

I'll go with factory then soon. Trailer I'm pulling is a 28' camper trailer frame (counting tongue) I converted to utility trailer and pretty much will remain a flat bed for a while. Although I doubt trailer itself weighs over 3000 lbs., still want to use braking system.

2018 Brake Controller

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