Aftermarket trailer brake controller

[DerickE]

Hey all, I swear I thought I read here that the integrated brake controller is kind of meh, and that an aftermarket unit is far preferred. I can't seem to find anything to support that now.....but is that still the case? I bought a top of the line tekonsha unit for my suburban years ago and it's been sitting on a shelf since. Would it be useful to use it in my 2500, or am I crazy thinking I saw people suggesting it.....

 

[GTyankee]

The Ram Original Equipment Brake Controller interacts with the Ram trucks.
Not only does it work with the Instrument Cluster, ( EVIC ), but it also works with the radio menu, etc.
Another good point is that you can not bang your right knee on it.

I have heard, or read a lot about the Tekonsha P3

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-review-tekonsha-p3-brake-controller-90195.aspx?srsltid=AfmBOoqdmVD_HsWLqmiFsQk92m1TzyrKLi74E9Zqz3z9bMo7VulwMJ55

i read a statement about it, the pretty well sums it up

the P3 remains one of the most reliable. It might not have a ton of new-fangled features, but it always gets the job done

 

[markabby]

there's a few threads on this subject. i bought mine off ebay about 3 years ago, had it flashed after i installed it and it's worked flawlessly ever since

 

[crash68]

I bought a top of the line tekonsha unit for my suburban years ago and it's been sitting on a shelf since. Would it be useful to use it in my 2500, or am I crazy thinking I saw people suggesting it.....

Usually the "meh" feedback of the OEM controller is coming from people who have a misconception of how it's supposed to work. Way to many people are obsessed with wanting the trailer brakes to lock up, sadly that how the trailer will take you for the ride. The drawbacks to using an aftermarket trailer brake controller is the severe lack of integration with truck. The OEM trailer brake controller works in conjunction with the vehicle stability system and can apply the trailer brakes to help stabilize the truck/trailer as needed. Also as mentioned all the controls and information is higher up on the dash/EVIC and offers setting memory along with mileage tracking of the trailer towed.
Being you already own the Tekonsha brake controller and it doesn't sound like you use it much, you might consider making an easily removed mount for the controller and buy the plug in wiring harness for it. It will be better that not having trailer brakes.

 

[stevenP]

I have had 5 new fifth wheel RVs over the years. Several of them worked fine with the IBC in my gen4 ram truck. Couple of the rigs didnt work hardly at all. I installed the P3 unit in my Gen 4 truck and it was night and day difference in the way it worked. After its install I could lock up the tires if I set it for that. As where before I basically had no trailer brakes. Took all of 15 minutes to install, with the correct adaptor wiring harness. Yes, there was the knee knocker thing to overcome, but at least I had brakes that really worked well.
With my current truck a Gen5, the IBC is working fine with my fiver, so there was no need to replace it with a after market brake controller.

 

[Marshall]

when I retired way back when, I moved myself, with trailers and grain trucks, I had a river valley, to go down, so needed brakes, I went to dealer and they just add a aftermarket one.
It worked very well the few times I use it with my 2010 1500, but it is in the gardge as my knee would hit it. the 2010 got smucked so I don't have the plug in my current truck.
I should have pulled the plug but I was 400miles away.
I am not sure about the model, P3? just looks like most of them.

 

[DerickE]

Well yes, it is indeed a P3. I like it specifically because you can program 2 presets to different trailers. So, I had a flatbed cornpro trailer which weighed a TON, and a cargo trailer and could have different presets on it. Nowadays, I just have the cargo trailer and the presets are basically 'loaded' and 'unloaded.' If I run it on the loaded preset, while unloaded, it will indeed lockup the tires.

As for the p3, its an electronic interia based controller, it can be mounted anyway you find convenient. I was thinking maybe in the console.

 

[2003F350]

Personally I will never have a truck without the IBTC. It's integrated, it applies the brakes based off what the truck 'sees' happening. As long as the gain is set correctly and you have a proper connection in the plug at the back of the truck, it is far superior for controlling the trailer, as it applies the brakes on the trailer proportionally to the truck.

Aftermarket controllers are, in my opinion, 'meh.'