Brake Controller Installation Trouble

[videocrafters]

I have a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn. I had a Draw-Tite i-Command brake controller professionally installed. I have used this company in the past and they are very reputable.
The tech had problems and said that the factory brake control plug under dash is dead. No power. He tried 2 different brake controllers with no luck. So I checked with my dealer and he said that the software needs to be flashed to recognize the controller. So the tech at my Ram dealer flashed it and said that the software could not recognize the controller. So he said I should have them install the factory controller that fits on the dash. I said ok, then he said that the plug was cut off by my original controller installer when he installed it and that they would have to order a new plug. So does this all sound fishy or does this make sense?

 

[schmidtfamily6]

I just installed the factory one a week or two ago and it makes since to me. I mean think about it, what would the programming do if not to allow the voltage to go to the brake controller. I get where someone may say programming allows it to be controlled but the brake controller is mechanical.
Programming does more than just have it show up on your dash.
Shoot man I don't know what brake controller you purchased, but the factory one I got was only $140 with everything including screws. Now I did have a buddy at the dealership to program it, so I can maybe see that side of it. But now its a nice clean factory look, I don't have this big ugly bla hanging down under my dash.

 

[crash68]

I have read people reporting that the factory plugs for the brake controller in the Gen5 trucks need to be enabled for them to work.
The factory trailer brake controller is a lot better than any aftermarket controller. Aside from it showing up on the dash, it integrates with the vehicle braking and stability electronics. It also uses vehicle speed as part of the strategy to determine trailer braking force. When properly set you won't feel the trailer push or pull on you while braking.

 

[stricnine]

I just installed a Tenkosha P3 with RAM specific harness and plugged into the factory plug, no issues at all. Plug and play! No flash required. There are two plugs under the dash if you have tow package, wrapped together. The grey one is the only one used with aftermarket and runs to the back of the truck, thus no flash needed. The orange plug is interfaced and requires the flash

 

[kmrtnsn]

I was under the impression that that if you didn't have the factory brake controller installed and then added it later it had to be "added" to the PCM with a flash or by using third party software.

 

[stricnine]

I was under the impression that that if you didn't have the factory brake controller installed and then added it later it had to be "added" to the PCM with a flash or by using third party software.

That is correct. If you go aftermarket you don’t need a flash and it’s plug and play.

 

[kmrtnsn]

I just installed the Redarc Tow-Pro brake controller in my 2013 Jeep, very impressed, nice clean, factory looking install with only the switch/knob exposed.

 

[Colcam3]

I have a 2019 ram Big Horn without the factory brake controller. I would like to get the ram dealer to install the factory brake controller and then flash it so I can read the read outs on the dash. Seems it’s out of the way of my right knee and a smart move.
Has anybody had good or bad experience with having a factory brake installed by the Ram dealer?

 

[marine6212]

I have a 2019 ram Big Horn without the factory brake controller. I would like to get the ram dealer to install the factory brake controller and then flash it so I can read the read outs on the dash. Seems it’s out of the way of my right knee and a smart move.
Has anybody had good or bad experience with having a factory brake installed by the Ram dealer?

It's roughly $1000.00 for them to install and program the integrated trailer brake controller.

 

[chrisbh17]

I have a 2019 ram Big Horn without the factory brake controller. I would like to get the ram dealer to install the factory brake controller and then flash it so I can read the read outs on the dash. Seems it’s out of the way of my right knee and a smart move.
Has anybody had good or bad experience with having a factory brake installed by the Ram dealer?

If you are comfortable working on the truck yourself, you can get the oem trailer brake kit on eBay from a mopar dealer for under $200, then buy or borrow an alfaobd setup to activate it.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Colcam3]

Whats an alfaobd setup?

 

[Kenepo17ram]

I have a 2019 ram Big Horn without the factory brake controller. I would like to get the ram dealer to install the factory brake controller and then flash it so I can read the read outs on the dash. Seems it’s out of the way of my right knee and a smart move.
Has anybody had good or bad experience with having a factory brake installed by the Ram dealer?

I bought my oem kit on ebay and program it with alfaobd so no dealer visit, alfaobd lets you turn on features truck did not come with and you add them. Ex power folding mirrors, steering wheel audio controllers, sport cluster, change tire size etc

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[bodasn]

i install the oem hardware myself. install on youtube. had the dealer activate. for $70.00 . now have all the functions and it under warrant. add 30 minutes to an oil change.