Adding brake controller 15 express

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GatheredEarth

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I’m sure it’s in here somewhere but I don’t know where to start. I have the seven pin trailer brake adapter but not the factory controller in the cab. Can I buy the factory controller and have the dealer flash my computer to recognize it or can I just do a regular aftermarket controller and splice it in to my seven pin?
 

69GWC

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You can get the factory one and have it flashed like you said or get a aftermarket one and just plug it in, there is a plug under the dash so its easy.
 
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GatheredEarth

GatheredEarth

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You can get the factory one and have it flashed like you said or get a aftermarket one and just plug it in, there is a plug under the dash so its easy.
If I buy an aftermarket one it doesn’t have to be flashed?
 

69GWC

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Nope it will notneed flashed, I put one in my truck, bought the controller and the plug for the correct year truck and simply bolted it in and plugged it and and was done.
 

barbosa

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If I buy an aftermarket one it doesn’t have to be flashed?
I bought and installed the Tekonsha P3 and adapter harness for RAM trucks from etrailers and it was plug and play and works great. I wanted to get it in ASAP as I tow basically 6 days a week with the truck and had just picked up a new 26' long double axle trailer, so I wasn't able to mount it in the best location for the time being, but that is my own fault.

The functionality is great, but I have never used the factory controller to compare.
 
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GatheredEarth

GatheredEarth

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What has the dealership been charging to flash your computer? I think I’m just going with the factory controller
 

billyw

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Prodigy brake controllers are great, but in my opinion they don't compare to the OEM unit. The smoothest performance I've ever experienced in 20 years of towing.
 

PaulTGarrett

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What nobody has mentioned is to check under the dash for TWO brake connectors. I think they are orange and grey... If you don't have BOTH connectors, the Mopar factory brake controller will not work and I'm not sure if the after-market controllers will either.

One of the connectors goes to the trailer connector on the rear bumper, the other connector goes off into the mystical maze of wiring to the brain of the truck. I forget which connector is always there and the other is an option. Anyone??
 
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GatheredEarth

GatheredEarth

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What nobody has mentioned is to check under the dash for TWO brake connectors. I think they are orange and grey... If you don't have BOTH connectors, the Mopar factory brake controller will not work and I'm not sure if the after-market controllers will either.

One of the connectors goes to the trailer connector on the rear bumper, the other connector goes off into the mystical maze of wiring to the brain of the truck. I forget which connector is always there and the other is an option. Anyone??
Same thing the dealer told me. Luckily I have both connectors.
 

ramhornet15

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here is the kicker. you can install a factory brake controller by yourself, which I did, and it will control your trailer brakes. you just cant see the output on the dash. so if you can't get to the dealer to flash it, the good news is that it will still work.
 
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GatheredEarth

GatheredEarth

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here is the kicker. you can install a factory brake controller by yourself, which I did, and it will control your trailer brakes. you just cant see the output on the dash. so if you can't get to the dealer to flash it, the good news is that it will still work.
Good to know thanks!
 

Trail Ryder

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Anybody have a Ram dealer provide and install the Mopar Integrated Trailer Brake Controller on a Ram 1500? And how much did it cost? Thanks.
 

400 psi

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I was quoted around $500 labor only. she said it was for four hours labor
 

CamperMike

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I installed the controller myself and paid $80 to get it flashed. Install does not take 4 hours! that's insane. It took me maybe an hour or so.
 

CamperMike

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There are a bunch of videos on youtube. The express is simpler as you don't have the center console to remove like in the bighorn and higher models.
 

Sir Ram-It

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I installed the controller myself and paid $80 to get it flashed. Install does not take 4 hours! that's insane. It took me maybe an hour or so.

Sounds about right. Even with having to disassemble my center console it didn’t take long to install.
 
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