Brake Controller

[Cpylot]

Hopefully no one takes my posts as a "the controller works as it is supposed to" posts. I am merely showing that my 2016 works as it should so perhaps they can pinpoint the issue.

Hauled 2 more loads of crushed asphalt today. Load 2 was 4.3 tons. Load 3 was 7.4 tons. GCW on load 3 was just a hair over 26,000 pounds. Yes, I am aware I exceeded all towing limits.... But the brakes worked as they should. I turned the gain up to 6 and had no issues stopping. No loss of confidence but I was driving fully aware that I had exceeded all towing limits of my truck. It was not intentional... New guy on the loader doesn't know his hand signals and thought a closed fist meant to empty the bucket.

Thanks! !!
Very helpful info for me and anyone else considering a 16.
Staying suscribed to see how well Ram deals with the existing issue.

 

[RamCares]

You bet. I'm pulling a 2015 Keystone Montana 3791RD fifth wheel RV, about 15,000 pounds. It is equipped with two Dexter 7,000 pound axles, each axle wheel is equipped with 12x2 electric drum brakes. Each brake is specified at 12 volt, 3.25 amps.

Here is the axle tag;
View attachment 65516

Thanks for this information! I've passed it along and I'll let you know when I hear something. They are still looking into this.

 

[MustangMatt96GT]

Thanks for this information! I've passed it along and I'll let you know when I hear something. They are still looking into this.

I just bought a 2016 a couple weeks ago. Hooked to my trailer (which is racecar trailer with two 5200lb dexter axles, which I just serviced and adjusted the brake shoes to the drums), and the brake controller doesn't seem to help slow it down at all. Feels like to me that if I unhooked the trailer connector it wouldn't make any difference on how my setup would stop.

Hook to my old 1996 with an aftermarket brake controller, and the trailer brake controller can actually slow the whole right down pretty well set on low gains.

I am VERY disappointed. Paid my hard earned cash for a 2016 truck that won't safely even do what I intended for it to do. Pull my racecar to and from many races through out the year.

I bought a Crew Cab Long Bed Dually 4x4, VIN: 3C63RRGL1GG165334, Built October 23, 2015 at 10 am, a Friday truck.

 

[Kwhite]

2015 Solitude 5th wheel 6000 lb axles, cant adjust gain correctly and bad braking at lower speeds, 2015 Ram 3500 oh the camper i traded was a 2014 model and only weighed 7000 braking was horrible with this truck

 

[DAVECS1]

Just an observation, but this issue seems to be much more prevalent in the HD trucks.

 

[BossHogg]

I did profile 2015 1500 RAMs with the ITBM, their output was identical to the HDs I profiled. 1500s typically do not pull 13K plus weights and do not encounter trailer brakes that need a higher voltage to provide forceful braking.

I am not implying that 13K is a threshold value.

 

[BossHogg]

Thanks for this information! I've passed it along and I'll let you know when I hear something. They are still looking into this.

Erica, going on three weeks, any news? Status?

Thanks

 

[chris1965]

Just asking- I clicked around on the display and seen- there are 4 programs for 4 different kind of brake systems- in my previous truck I had a aftermarket brake controller and it worked great. I didn't even felt my camper while braking. It's a 2008 Wildwood LE 27RB. has some what 5000lb's. Now I'm irritated- which program is the right one for my camper? does anybody know?
I was searching a long time for my truck because the requirements was: 6.4 bed, at least quad cab and the tow package with brake controller and tow mirrors. I was lucky to find one even with crew cab and 6.4 bed in my preferences mileage, price and condition.
so which program should I use?

 

[clifford15]

Just asking- I clicked around on the display and seen- there are 4 programs for 4 different kind of brake systems- in my previous truck I had a aftermarket brake controller and it worked great. I didn't even felt my camper while braking. It's a 2008 Wildwood LE 27RB. has some what 5000lb's. Now I'm irritated- which program is the right one for my camper? does anybody know?
I was searching a long time for my truck because the requirements was: 6.4 bed, at least quad cab and the tow package with brake controller and tow mirrors. I was lucky to find one even with crew cab and 6.4 bed in my preferences mileage, price and condition.
so which program should I use?

Chris, You can just use the first one. Set it up for light or heavy braking and set the dial to your preference. After that if you tow a different trailer you can select a different entry, say #2, and set the braking for that one. When you go back to your camper just select #1 and you're good to go. If you only tow one trailer then the other 3 entries are irrelevant.

 

[Cpylot]

Has anyone had any recent contact with the RAMCARES rep?
Im starting to wonder if this is either going nowhere and or everyone is just giving up and going with the aftermarket controllers.

I have a deal worked out on an order for a new 3500 and would like to pull the trigger but am still trying to figure out if this is a problem in the 16s or not. Seems that it is a some do, some don't situation.

Had one dealer rep tell me that they were familiar with the issue in the 15s but when the new part # is installed the problem is solved.
Don't know if that is a dealer trying to make a sale or ???

Any real world experiences would certainly be helpful, if it is still an issue in the 16s I may as well just order it without the integrated controller and plan on putting in the aftermarket one when I take delivery.

 

[nasaland]

Has anyone had any recent contact with the RAMCARES rep?

I have not heard anything, and I'm sure no one else has either. The part number for the 2016 ITBM did change, but after numerous emails to Mopar they only reply they would give is that the part number did change but they would not say WHAT changed.

The wiring diagrams and pinouts are the same between the 14/15 ITBM and the 2016. The only reason for a part # change would be internal hardware, supplier, or firmware.

I have not given up hope, but seriously doubt any reaction from FCA.

Buy that P3 and all this is moot.

 

[drittal]

I have a deal worked out on an order for a new 3500 and would like to pull the trigger but am still trying to figure out if this is a problem in the 16s or not. Seems that it is a some do, some don't situation.
l

Work in a deal for a P3 if the factory controller on 2016 doesn't work up to snuff. It's only $150.

 

[BossHogg]

Has anyone had any recent contact with the RAMCARES rep?
Im starting to wonder if this is either going nowhere and or everyone is just giving up and going with the aftermarket controllers.

I have a deal worked out on an order for a new 3500 and would like to pull the trigger but am still trying to figure out if this is a problem in the 16s or not. Seems that it is a some do, some don't situation.

Had one dealer rep tell me that they were familiar with the issue in the 15s but when the new part # is installed the problem is solved.
Don't know if that is a dealer trying to make a sale or ???

Any real world experiences would certainly be helpful, if it is still an issue in the 16s I may as well just order it without the integrated controller and plan on putting in the aftermarket one when I take delivery.

Nothing yet and after three weeks I'm starting to think it is going to get swept under the rug. I'm still hopeful.

From what I've read on the Cummins forum, guys with the 2016s are having the same trailer brake issue, at least that is the complaint.

Interesting you found a dealer familiar with the issue and has a fix. Who is the dealer? Doesn't matter where they are located, I'm sure I can route a stop near them while traveling the country

Since the 3500s (most trims) come with the ITBM you might as well pull the trigger. There is always the Prodigy solution.

 

[cc rider]

class action lawsuit? I want my $ back for the controller!

 

[yellowdog00]

I grew weary of waiting also and with camping season beginning next month for me, I needed to install a solution that would allow me to safely pull and stop my fifth wheel. Amazon sells the P3 bundled with the appropriate cable for $140
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZQ1NGPY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

With BossHogg's advice earlier, I was able to install it myself this past week. Thank you again!

 

[BossHogg]

class action lawsuit? I want my $ back for the controller!

I'm not a fan of class actions simple because the only winners are the lawyers. In this case, I am willing to put aside my beliefs because I it is more important to take action and let Chrysler know it is not OK to provide a brake controller that can't apply, by their designed, adequate braking effort on some heavier trailers despite their explanation in the owners' manual saying the system has been tested with all late model trailer brakes.

I grew weary of waiting also and with camping season beginning next month for me, I needed to install a solution that would allow me to safely pull and stop my fifth wheel. Amazon sells the P3 bundled with the appropriate cable for $140
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZQ1NGPY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I love the Amazon add line: "Fitment: Made Exclusively for the 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 (all versions)." Someone is reading what we have documented and took action. Leave t it to a creative salesperson.

 

[cc rider]

Boss, to me it's just a matter of principal more than the money. If no one fights back against these "giants"........

 

[keen]

whew, long read.

So has anyone had a chance to actually measure the "updated" '16 ITBM yet? (part number 82215040)


And/or anyone tried using the 13/14 module in a '15 or '16 instead?


I was just about to pull the trigger on ordering the parts for the new truck when I came across this thread.

I'd just stick my "old" Prodigy under the dash, but with the bucket seat console, there's just no where to put it anymore if you have knees. (though when I went to look for it, I can't figure out where I must have put it, not in the drawer with all the other trailer wiring parts...the old voyager is there though..)


Wish someone would make a display/interface/whole module that fit in the old side panel where the 09-12 had it. The Hopkins inSight just looks too annoying...

 

[BossHogg]

whew, long read.

So has anyone had a chance to actually measure the "updated" '16 ITBM yet? (part number 82215040)

And/or anyone tried using the 13/14 module in a '15 or '16 instead?

Wish someone would make a display/interface/whole module that fit in the old side panel where the 09-12 had it.

I don't know anyone that has a 2016 yet, when the weather turns to spring, I'll head to a dealership and test the 2016s to see if there is a change.

There was an electrical interface change with the ITBM beginning with the 2015 model year and there isn't backwards compatibility.

Or even make a compatible controller that fits in the center stack where the OEM goes. That would be sweet, may be a letter to Tekonsha would make it happen.

 

[Cpylot]

Interesting you found a dealer familiar with the issue and has a fix. Who is the dealer? Doesn't matter where they are located, I'm sure I can route a stop near them while traveling the country

Boss, For what its worth, I don't have the knowledge or know-how that you do, but here is the info I have. He is a fellow named Ken Gregory up in Indiana. You may have seen him over on the Cummins forum.
I have been shopping a truck with him and I brought the controller issue up during our discussions. Here is a quote from part of our communication and what he had to say...

"I was told last night that the new part number supersedes the old one for new trucks and any truck they put a new part in. The factory says the issue is fixed with the new part. We haven't had any issues with a controller that was replaced....

Ken Gregory <[email protected]>;

Ken,
Thanks for the quote.
Any info on the brake controller issue that we discussed?
Thanks"