OEM Brake Controller Question

tsherv · Feb 26, 2023

Hi,

I have a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn (Level 1). I have the 8" touch screen and the smaller display (3.5" I believe). I purchased an OEM brake controller and installed it this afternoon. I did purchase it used off of Facebook. It did have all the proper labels on it and I know it is a factory module. I know that the brake controller sends a signal to the display on certain models. My question is this: I installed the brake controller, but i have no idea if it works. I'm assuming I need to be hooked up to a trailer for anything to work? Should I see anything in my settings on my 8" display? Just looking for a sign that the controller works. My trailer is in storage right now so I can't connect to it. Should I see anything in my displays? Should anything light up or anything like that?

Thanks.

Wire4money · Feb 26, 2023

There is a section in the center screen. I believe it is below the average mpg screen. Also, when you manually hit it, it pops up in the center screen. My guess is you need to program the computer so it knows you have that option installed.

chopperman1 · Feb 27, 2023

Did you program the truck for the new modules? Not just plug and play. Need to have the dealer program your truck or use something like AlfaOBD.

stevenP · Feb 27, 2023

FYI, the RAM IBC are hit and miss as to whether they work with certain brake types on trailers. I have had four different fifth wheel RVs, and the OEM controller worked with one of the four fairly well. The other three new Rvs with drum electric brakes... didnt work basically at all. Ended up with an aftermarket controller, with night and day results.

tsherv · Feb 27, 2023

Thanks for all the info. I made an appointment at the Ram dealership to have it programmed. Looks like it will be an $85 charge.

RamOwner48420 · Mar 21, 2023

tsherv said:
Hi,

I have a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn (Level 1). I have the 8" touch screen and the smaller display (3.5" I believe). I purchased an OEM brake controller and installed it this afternoon. I did purchase it used off of Facebook. It did have all the proper labels on it and I know it is a factory module. I know that the brake controller sends a signal to the display on certain models. My question is this: I installed the brake controller, but i have no idea if it works. I'm assuming I need to be hooked up to a trailer for anything to work? Should I see anything in my settings on my 8" display? Just looking for a sign that the controller works. My trailer is in storage right now so I can't connect to it. Should I see anything in my displays? Should anything light up or anything like that?

Thanks.

How big of job is it, start messing with dash panels? I am finding a new one on ebay motors for $70

GTyankee · Mar 21, 2023

DS & DT Rams may use different oem brake controllers

I have no clue about 1500 & Heavy Duty differences for OEM Brake Controllers

Mo381 · Mar 24, 2023

RamOwner48420 said:
How big of job is it, start messing with dash panels? I am finding a new one on ebay motors for $70

It is about a 30-40 minute job. You have to remove the knee/kick panel below the steering wheel and also the center radio climate control panel. There are a ton of youtube videos on the install.

Davidskywalker · Apr 9, 2023

stevenP said:
FYI, the RAM IBC are hit and miss as to whether they work with certain brake types on trailers. I have had four different fifth wheel RVs, and the OEM controller worked with one of the four fairly well. The other three new Rvs with drum electric brakes... didnt work basically at all. Ended up with an aftermarket controller, with night and day results.

Do you know why?
I maybe having the same problem.
The brakes are all new on my trailer but the truck can not stop the trailer ( electric brakes).
Like what kind of electric brakes should it work on?
Something does not look right. This PWM system seems as if it’s not delivering enough current to the magnets on each wheel.

crash68 · Apr 9, 2023

Davidskywalker said:
The brakes are all new on my trailer but the truck can not stop the trailer ( electric brakes).
Like what kind of electric brakes should it work on?

If your trailer brakes are the typical magnetic type they should work provided they are mechanically adjusted correctly.
Follow the adjustment procedure to set the trailer brake gain correctly. Lots of people have the misconception on how the trailer brakes should work, most expect them to pull the truck back because time or inertia based brakes would do this. The OEM controller uses not only braking force but vehicle speed to determine braking force.

Davidskywalker · Apr 14, 2023

The trailer brakes have properly adjusted (3 axles with NEW drum electrical brakes). I get NO errors from the truck regarding the brakes. I took the truck for testing and the shop is saying that the truck is NOT putting enough power when the gain is set to 10. Its only putting like 5 or 6. They have a brand new MAC tester that performs a trailer Load Simulation. Here is the link: https://www.mactools.com/products/et9107a
Electric Brake Force Meter with dynamic Load Simulation

I am not sure what kind of brakes it should work with. When I bought the truck there was NO information regarding what kind of trailers it could work with or NOT.

Davidskywalker · Apr 15, 2023

The trailer brakes have been adjusted correctly. I took the truck a mechanic shop and they told me that the truck is NOT delivering enough power to the trailer. They used a MAC tools Electric brake force meter with load simulation, this tool shows that the truck only delivers about 5 out of 10, with the max gain on the truck set to 10. Electric Brake Force Meter with dynamic Load Simulation

BossHogg · Apr 16, 2023

Davidskywalker said:
Do you know why?
I maybe having the same problem.
The brakes are all new on my trailer but the truck can not stop the trailer ( electric brakes).
Like what kind of electric brakes should it work on?
Something does not look right. This PWM system seems as if it’s not delivering enough current to the magnets on each wheel.

New brakes have to be bedded before they gain stopping abilities. Trailer dealers fail to mention this and few folks read the axle owners manual that should have come with your trailer explaining the bedding process.

Take a 5th wheel RV that comes in at 15K or so, the trailer brakes will unlikely lock the wheels because of the weight on the tires. In contrast, take an unloaded utility trailer where the tires will easily lock up.

In addition to what crash mentioned, look up the definition of proportional braking.

BossHogg · Apr 16, 2023

Davidskywalker said:
The trailer brakes have been adjusted correctly. I took the truck a mechanic shop and they told me that the truck is NOT delivering enough power to the trailer. They used a MAC tools Electric brake force meter with load simulation, this tool shows that the truck only delivers about 5 out of 10, with the max gain on the truck set to 10. Electric Brake Force Meter with dynamic Load Simulation

Speeds below 25MPH, the factory trailer brake controller does not send full power to the trailer's brakes. Using the manual controls, and the gain set to 100%, you should get 100% at the trailer.

barr0208 · Apr 16, 2023

stevenP said:
FYI, the RAM IBC are hit and miss as to whether they work with certain brake types on trailers. I have had four different fifth wheel RVs, and the OEM controller worked with one of the four fairly well. The other three new Rvs with drum electric brakes... didnt work basically at all. Ended up with an aftermarket controller, with night and day results.

thats odd i have not had any problems with brakes on any of my rams from 2012/2014/2016 or my 2019 and pulled 4 different rv trailers with electric drum brakes using the factory controller .

18Aries · Apr 18, 2023

After enabling my brake controller I had zero problems with the trailer brakes. Helps a lot

OEM Brake Controller Question

tsherv

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Wire4money

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chopperman1

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stevenP

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tsherv

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RamOwner48420

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GTyankee

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Mo381

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Davidskywalker

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crash68

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Davidskywalker

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Davidskywalker

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BossHogg

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BossHogg

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barr0208

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18Aries

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