Does anyone know if you can add a factory trailer brake controller?

Weekiman · Mar 14, 2024

Looking at a 2023 with out trailer brake controller.

crash68 · Mar 14, 2024

Yeap it can be added. A popular option is to install the kit yourself then have a dealership program it.
Give Benny @AllMoparParts.com a shout down in the vendor section if he doesn't reply to this.

Choupique · Mar 14, 2024

You can but in my opinion it isn't worth it. A tekumseh (spelling?) P3 is cheaper and better in my experience. Very easy to install in modern trucks.

jvbuttex · Mar 14, 2024

sure can... easy to install. Well all but 1 bolt is PIA. but yes it can be done. if memory serves me correct, you need to enable it in computer.

Weekiman · Mar 14, 2024

Choupique said:
You can but in my opinion it isn't worth it. A tekumseh (spelling?) P3 is cheaper and better in my experience. Very easy to install in modern trucks.

I might be missing out on some integrated features if I do that.

Weekiman · Mar 14, 2024

jvbuttex said:
sure can... easy to install. Well all but 1 bolt is PIA. but yes it can be done. if memory serves me correct, you need to enable it in computer.

Does the dealer have to do the enabling?

crash68 · Mar 14, 2024

Weekiman said:
Does the dealer have to do the enabling?

As I mentioned above the brake controller needs to be programmed by the dealership. Another option is to invest in AlfaOBD along with the needed bypass and hardware to do it yourself.

Most people report that a dealership will charge up to an hour labor(but sometimes free) to program the brake controller. It's usually a couple hundred if the dealership installs the hardware too.

Choupique · Mar 14, 2024

Weekiman said:
might be missing out on some integrated features

There aren't any worth paying all the money and going through the installation headache over IMO. My current ram has the factory controller and if I order another truck ill order without it. It costs way too much for what you get.

crash68 · Mar 16, 2024

Choupique said:
My current ram has the factory controller and if I order another truck ill order without it. It costs way too much for what you get.

There isn't an aftermarket trailer brake controller that even comes close to what the OEM controller does. It uses more information to determine the proper braking force unlike aftermarket controllers that just rely on time and/or inertia.
Also the OEM brake controller is fully integrated with the vehicle stability control where as an aftermarket unit can apply brakes and the truck will have to work against that.

Weekiman · Mar 16, 2024

crash68 said:
There isn't an aftermarket trailer brake controller that even comes close to what the OEM controller does. It uses more information to determine the proper braking force unlike aftermarket controllers that just rely on time and/or inertia.
Also the OEM brake controller is fully integrated with the vehicle stability control where as an aftermarket unit can apply brakes and the truck will have to work against that.

Good to know thanks! Think I want the factory one for sure.

turkeybird56 · Mar 16, 2024

Weekiman said:
Good to know thanks! Think I want the factory one for sure.

IMHO, U do. Plus clean install, right in dash, not hanging under or wherever. But just my lowly opinion.

04fxdwgi · Mar 16, 2024

I replaced a Takonsha P3 Prodigy with the OEM brake controller. They both have their own features, but as Crash68 states, the integration of the OEM unit trumps and nulls out the P3's better tunability. Just my humble opinion, after using both.

Weekiman · Mar 17, 2024

04fxdwgi said:
I replaced a Takonsha P3 Prodigy with the OEM brake controller. They both have their own features, but as Crash68 states, the integration of the OEM unit trumps and nulls out the P3's better tunability. Just my humble opinion, after using both.

Dang good info with comparison too, thanks!

2003F350 · Mar 18, 2024

Agree with Crash and 04 - before I had an integrated brake controller I used the dash-mounted units, and they worked OKAY. Biggest problem is being a long-legged person I was constantly hitting them with my knees because you DON'T want them up on top of the dashboard, sunlight and their internal electronics don't play nice at all over time.

After having an ITBC, I will never go back. I have it added to any truck I own that doesn't come with one, depending on the dealership and your skill level at installing it yourself (or, in my case, the time available) it's not too pricey, as said I think it was a couple hundred for my wife's 1500 to have the dealer just do all of it.

Biggest thing I can say is make SURE you get the right one for your year truck. I believe for the last few years they are interchangeable but I know some of the older ones can be specific to the year.

Weekiman · Mar 18, 2024

2003F350 said:
Agree with Crash and 04 - before I had an integrated brake controller I used the dash-mounted units, and they worked OKAY. Biggest problem is being a long-legged person I was constantly hitting them with my knees because you DON'T want them up on top of the dashboard, sunlight and their internal electronics don't play nice at all over time.

After having an ITBC, I will never go back. I have it added to any truck I own that doesn't come with one, depending on the dealership and your skill level at installing it yourself (or, in my case, the time available) it's not too pricey, as said I think it was a couple hundred for my wife's 1500 to have the dealer just do all of it.

Biggest thing I can say is make SURE you get the right one for your year truck. I believe for the last few years they are interchangeable but I know some of the older ones can be specific to the year.

Thanks, I found a truck that has the factory trailer brake controller. I just have to go cross country to pick it up but it has everything I want. I searched nationwide and only found three trucks.

markabby · Mar 18, 2024

bought mine off ebay...around $150. simple to install and have dealer flash it in. Once installed correctly it even measures the length of the trailer...up to 30 feet

rvance · Mar 18, 2024

Choupique said:
You can but in my opinion it isn't worth it. A tekumseh (spelling?) P3 is cheaper and better in my experience. Very easy to install in modern trucks.

I don't agree. It hits the knee area. Factory is the best.

rvance · Mar 18, 2024

I put mine in, 70 years old so it took an hour. About 30 minutes to program it because I wasn't that familiar with AlfaOBD.

markabby · Mar 18, 2024

rvance said:
I don't agree. It hits the knee area. Factory is the best.

ugh...had one in an older f150..hit my knee every time i jumped in...finally i installed it on the dash only to get rid of the truck shortly later....2 problems solved at once. lol

Weekiman · Mar 18, 2024

rvance said:
I put mine in, 70 years old so it took an hour. About 30 minutes to program it because I wasn't that familiar with AlfaOBD.

Nice!

Does anyone know if you can add a factory trailer brake controller?

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