Should I Add The OEM Trailer Braking Module And Get Alfa OBD, Or Go 3rd-Party?

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saboken

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If you go with a Tekonsha controller be careful of the connection on the unit . Mine started to act strange on my other Vehicle, what happened is the solder joints inside broke loose from removing and replacing it when not needed. Other than that it works great. I don't know about using the existing harness on Ram?
 
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09SilverRam

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rvance said:
The OEM is the only way to go. Any of the others will keep hitting your knee. Easy to install too.
Click to expand...

You can get aftermarket with a hidden firm factor. This is the one I have but there are others :

www.redarcelectronics.com

Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller

The award-winning Tow-Pro Elite is suitable for both 12 volt and 24 volt vehicles and is the only brake controller on the market that offers two types of braking options in one dash mounted unit.
www.redarcelectronics.com www.redarcelectronics.com


I mounted the button where my drivers side 12v outlet was.
 
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09SilverRam

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GTyankee said:
there are 2 types of Class 3 Hitch Receivers

Frame mounted & Sub Frame mounted

Sub Frame mounted only Class 3
View attachment 514059

Frame Mounted Class 3

View attachment 514060
This one is bolted to the trucks main frame rails & the sub frame too

Class 4 is also Frame mounted, just heavier duty
Click to expand...
The subframe connected class three works well for 600 / 6000 tongue / trailer which is what they are rated for without WDH. I wouldn’t use them for more, if you are going to use a WDH I would get the frame mounted.
 
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Random_Walk

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...what's this bolt do? *plink* ...oh.
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I am very happy to report that 1. No WDH was needed (it hadn't come in yet), and 2. In spite of 30 miles of typically brutal (and sometimes bouncy, and in places poorly maintained) mountain roads taken to get home, the trailer pulled nice and easy, with no sway at all. The Tekonsha unit worked flawlessly; I started at 5.5, bumped it a couple notches up after a stop on the way home, and no worries there. Temps were well within range; outside air temp was 45 degrees or so.

Thank you all for the advice!
 
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Random_Walk

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...what's this bolt do? *plink* ...oh.
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PS: The result (stopped at Walmart on the way home, waited for the wife to grab some stuff...)
 

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GTyankee

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Looks like your rig is brush ready :)

Not that it means anything to most people,
the State Of California has made a statement, that the OEM Brake Controller & the Tekonsha P3 are equally acceptable
 
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Random_Walk

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...what's this bolt do? *plink* ...oh.
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I actually have 1-2 in-laws left down/around LA, so I may end up driving into Hel -err, California on occasion. Not going into LA Country with the rig, tho' :)
 
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I installed Prodigy P2 in 2015 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi about seven years ago and have towed a 2018 Casita Spirit about 10,000 miles. Works great.
Easy installation, plugged into factory towing wiring behind bumper and ran one #10 wire to inside cab.
Considered Ram factory controller, but didn't want the inconvenience and expense. Would've had to take to dealer and pay them for programming, whether or not I installed the controller myself.
 
rvance

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09SilverRam said:
You can get aftermarket with a hidden firm factor. This is the one I have but there are others :

www.redarcelectronics.com

Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller

The award-winning Tow-Pro Elite is suitable for both 12 volt and 24 volt vehicles and is the only brake controller on the market that offers two types of braking options in one dash mounted unit.
www.redarcelectronics.com www.redarcelectronics.com


I mounted the button where my drivers side 12v outlet was.
Click to expand...
I only paid 150 for the factory unit on ebay.
 
PaulTGarrett

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I installed the OEM brake controller in my 2012... Was easy... Took me about an hour as I recall, only because I was taking my time so as to not run into problems... I did have to go to the dealer to re-flash the frickin' computer to make it work...
 
Gr8bawana

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Random_Walk said:
PS: The result (stopped at Walmart on the way home, waited for the wife to grab some stuff...)
Click to expand...
Looks good nice and level. :party36:
As far as not driving into LA I can't argue with there. I made the mistake of towing out Airstream TT to San Diego years ago and it was a nightmare.
 
CustomExpress

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I added the Mopar tow controller to my 17 1500, and activated it with alpha-obd. I didnt use the inclued bracket, just ziptied it into place in the factory location. No issues :cool:
 
04fxdwgi

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CustomExpress said:
I added the Mopar tow controller to my 17 1500, and activated it with alpha-obd. I didnt use the inclued bracket, just ziptied it into place in the factory location. No issues :cool:
Click to expand...
Did the exact same thing (but added some 3m VHB double sided tape to ensure it stays put and doesn't vibrate). Works flawlessly.

But, my Takonsha P3 brake controller worked just as well, before I converted. Was just a problem child to mount where it wasn't fugly.
 
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