Aftermarket brake controller vs OEM and location?

[Fishhaggis]

My dealer does not recommend the OEM brake controller for my 2017 Bighorn as they say it’s way too expensive and suggest an aftermarket brake controller instead. This sound right?

I am long legged and need leg room. Concerned I bash my knees on an aftermarket brake controller if installed under the dash under the steering wheel. Where has anyone installed an aftermarket brake controller not under the dash where your knees go?

Thanks.

 

[caulk04]

Just get the OE one. It's not that expensive. Bolts in and works through the dash.

I had a Prodigy in mine for a short time and quickly busted the lever off it with my knee.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Had Prodigy P3 in my truck then installed OEM. Both worked well, but OEM is seamless and built in.

 

[04fxdwgi]

My dealer does not recommend the OEM brake controller for my 2017 Bighorn as they say it’s way too expensive and suggest an aftermarket brake controller instead. This sound right?

I am long legged and need leg room. Concerned I bash my knees on an aftermarket brake controller if installed under the dash under the steering wheel. Where has anyone installed an aftermarket brake controller not under the dash where your knees go?

Thanks.

Don't tell me, he sells aftermarket brake controllers, too. I did the OEM install on my '16 Sport and was actually cheaper than the P3 I had. Only thing that could raise cost is the BCM programming, but I did it with AlfaOBD and OBDLink MX+ that I already had, so it cost me zip.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

OEM. Never a problem

 

[stevenP]

I have had both. My Gen4 truck had the OE brake controller and it didnt work with my one of my fifth wheel trailers well at all. Went with the after market P3, and it worked great.

 

[davesue4b]

I went to Autowbrake and bypassed the truck.

 

[Filthy Filbert]

Older thread, Im aware...
My $0.02.... Buy the OEM one off ebay or other site, install it yourself. Takes about 20 minutes. Not hard at all if your truck has the towing package.

It's recommended to do flash the computer so that you can "unlock" the brake controller screen on the dash, and see the brake bias when you make adjustments, but the controller will work just fine without the flash.

I drove mine for a few weeks and did some towing without the flash, so I can confirm that it works. I eventually got the AlphaOBD program and was able to make the flash myself. Had I gone to the dealership it probably would have been an $800-1000 job, but I think I'm at around $300 total which includes buying the AlphaOBD software, the USB to OBD2 cord, and the security bypass harness

 

[Grams]

Hopkins INSIGHT …you can mount the controller / controls / indications wherever you want.

I’ve had this on two different Rams and it works beautifully…. towing utility, Airstream, and 10K Dump trailer. It handled each, Very smart.