Brake Controller

[Cpylot]

Now I'm Confused ??

Haven't had occasion to tow heavy since late Oct. (Sick horse)
Hooked up to 12.5k trailer last weekend and did my normal pre-go checks, one of which is brakes.
I always engage manual gain as I'm going down dirt driveway and it has always locked up all 4 on trailer. This time I could feel the brake engage, but no lockup and truck could keep it all rolling without extreme effort.
Will do a bit more looking into this and see if I can get neighbor to hook to my trailer with his GM a see if it's trailer or truck related.
I had truck into dealer in Dec and they did a bunch of flash updates, wondering if good ol RAM backwards updated braking software to apply the limited braking at lower mph in the 14s now.
I'll update this when I have more info, but my experience this past weekend didn't leave a warm fuzzy feeling.

On Edit; must have been a weak ground or something,,, worked fine every time after that, even during a panic stop on I4 when an idiot that blew a hose locked em up in front of me.

 

[delta ram]

I have the same problems with my trailer brake controller on my 2015 Ram 4x4 5.7 392 rear i have also experienced too many close encounter in traffic and moutain roads.
i have metered for voltages and i understand the pulse with voltages from pervious post
163 it appears that there is not enough voltage or amprage to stop the trailer.
When i took the truck to my dealer i had printed out info from the forum and Dexter axel
they did not think that this would help so they said they ran there own test and said all was fine and blamed my problem on the old style braking system on my trailer and that the new trailer braking systems would work fine.
Tired of the BS just fix it or admit it cant be fixed and i will go with a after market controller....

 

[keen]

Tired of the BS just fix it or admit it cant be fixed and i will go with a after market controller....

Solved my "do I buy it or wait until someone proves it works" dilemma.

Around $500 in parts/install (even if I self install it, best local price to just code it matched best install price.) for the "maybe it works" factory controller....well. $100 to hopkins instead of ram.

Wish Tekonsha had a P2 or P3 with a compact separate modular interface and a main module that didn't need to be horizontal to the truck.... (because in a bucket truck, your options for horizontal are limited..)

Wish the Hopkins InSight was more compact (maybe a single piece display/control. but at least a smaller manual control..), too. but done.

 

[rocketman1083]

Hey Delta! What kind of weight were you pulling when you were having issues? Just curious as we just bought a new TT and I'm wondering what weights people are having issues with.

Bob

 

[delta ram]

my 2007 toy hauler loaded water 2 bikes m/c about 6500#s to 7000#

stef

 

[delta ram]

UPDATE Problem reported to Chrysler Customer Care as per the service manager they actually called me back and said the dist tech service manager will be working with the dealer to get this resolved.
I got this treatment after filling out a survey i did not give them very good marks so lets see where this goes its dirt bike season and car show season i need my truck to work right

 

[Kwhite]

I have not heard anything since I sent my survey

 

[BossHogg]

I have not heard anything since I sent my survey

Me neither, in fact, I've returned two surveys that they have sent me.

 

[delta ram]

update RAM says there is a problem but at this time they do not know how to fix it.
Hows that for a corp BS answer.

 

[cc rider]

I'll tell you how.....refund all the customers the amount for the controller so they can put one in that works

update RAM says there is a problem but at this time they do not know how to fix it.
Hows that for a corp BS answer.

 

[SHOOT2KILL]

No I didn't read all 47 pages, but did any of you take this to the next level. Especially those with serious safety issues with stopping your rig...Contact the NHTSA and file a safety complaint. FCA only reacts when someone is injured. When I had my brake/steering issue back in Nov, it was the second call I made after contacting FCA Customer Care...Heres the list of "RAMCARES" clones I had to deal with that did absolutely nothing...
Tina...id# TC823
Britney...id# BA286
Christine...id#CS1287
Kyra...id#KD515
John Pitt...Independent FCA FIRE INVESTIGATOR
All were useless except for John who had over 50 years in the auto industry. The women on the list all used the same opening line as many of "ramcares" post do "Im sorry for your inconvience"...It must be the first sentence in the FCA training manual...It gets awful redundant over time...BTW...I have the same issues with my controller...LOL

"ramcares" bailed on this thread almost 3 weeks ago...Shows a lack of integrity IMO...

 

[drittal]

No I didn't read all 47 pages, but did any of you take this to the next level. Especially those with serious safety issues with stopping your rig...Contact the NHTSA and file a safety complaint.

Complaint filed in august, as have others.

 

[BossHogg]

update RAM says there is a problem but at this time they do not know how to fix it.
Hows that for a corp BS answer.

Well, this is all I got to say about their answer. It is unacceptable and not only that, an irresponsible answer since they know very well their RAM's can not apply full braking power.

How can they not know how to fix it? The ITBMs were working as any proportional brake control works on prior MY production. I can demonstrate this behavior with my 2013 RAM's ITBM.

I've had enough. My 2015 3500 comes out of winter storage this weekend and into the dealer next week for service and to have my ITBM fixed. If they don't, I'm on my way to the courthouse to file a small claims case.

 

[Kwhite]

Got a call today from Ram customer service, they made an appointment for me to take my truck back to dealer and also bring my Camper with me to show the tech exactly what its doing, I still dont have much hope because the woman from Ram told me that as far as she knew no one else had complained of this problem.

 

[delta ram]

Here is a idea lets post our Customer care case 3s and the reps name so that when we inquire about status we can give them these other case#s for a referance heres mine
28925564 rep Irving.
When i went by the dealer they had a blower motor hooked up to the brake output of the trailer connector stupid is as stupid does.

 

[cc rider]

Been there done that. Got pics of my trailer at my dealer. Won't hurt though

Got a call today from Ram customer service, they made an appointment for me to take my truck back to dealer and also bring my Camper with me to show the tech exactly what its doing, I still dont have much hope because the woman from Ram told me that as far as she knew no one else had complained of this problem.

 

[BossHogg]

Got a call today from Ram customer service, they made an appointment for me to take my truck back to dealer and also bring my Camper with me to show the tech exactly what its doing, I still dont have much hope because the woman from Ram told me that as far as she knew no one else had complained of this problem.

Standard BS answer, always the same two responses from Chrysler, either they "can't duplicate customer's concern" or "no one else has this issue".

Here is a idea lets post our Customer care case 3s and the reps name so that when we inquire about status we can give them these other case#s for a referance heres mine
28925564 rep Irving.
When i went by the dealer they had a blower motor hooked up to the brake output of the trailer connector stupid is as stupid does.

Here is my star case number; 953748


Here is an idea to approach the issue in a different way. In the owner's manual in the section labeled as "Adjusting GAIN" there is a defined procedure where RAM explains how to adjust the ITBM gain setting. This is typical, nothing unique and you can find the same process to set gain everywhere proportional trailer brake controllers are discussed. Steps 8 and 9 are of particular interest;

8. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry,
level surface at a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h)
and squeeze the manual brake control lever completely.

9. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing
tires), reduce the GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels
turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.

Because the ITBM can not output more than 7 volts at speeds under 30MPH, ask the service advisor how you can set your gain. Of course, this only applies to us that have trailer brakes that require more than 7 volts to create a forceful stop. This should keep them busy for a while.

 

[chris1965]

I haven't read all pages- so sorry, if my question sounds stupid- I hooked up my camper the first time this weekend and studied the owners manual setting the trailer brakes. I found in the radio under settings the setting for trailer brake. There I found 4 different trailer brake variations: light trailer electric, heavy trailer electric, electric over hydraulic, hydraulic over electric. I have no idea about the last ones- but I set the brake assist to heavy trailer electric and the best setting for gain is 2.5. It's actually the same setting I had with my after market brake controller in my old truck. And it brakes fine.
I was reading some comments on the first page and could not see the setting mentioned.
Maybe it has something to do with it? did anybody tried to hook up the trailer to another vehicle and see if the issue is maybe there? sorry when I sound ignorant- but my job brings it with it to think outside the box and include even things where everybody would say- it can not be.

 

[BossHogg]

I haven't read all pages- so sorry, if my question sounds stupid- I hooked up my camper the first time this weekend and studied the owners manual setting the trailer brakes. I found in the radio under settings the setting for trailer brake. There I found 4 different trailer brake variations: light trailer electric, heavy trailer electric, electric over hydraulic, hydraulic over electric. I have no idea about the last ones- but I set the brake assist to heavy trailer electric and the best setting for gain is 2.5. It's actually the same setting I had with my after market brake controller in my old truck. And it brakes fine.
I was reading some comments on the first page and could not see the setting mentioned.
Maybe it has something to do with it? did anybody tried to hook up the trailer to another vehicle and see if the issue is maybe there? sorry when I sound ignorant- but my job brings it with it to think outside the box and include even things where everybody would say- it can not be.

I know 47 pages of a thread is a lot to read but the pages detail the steps of discovery and proof of the issue. Simply stated, the ITBM doesn't provide more that about 7 volts output to the trailer's brakes at speeds under 30 MPH. This isn't an issue for most folks as we have discovered. A few of us pull heavy, for me, I have a 15K fifth wheel RV, it needs 10.5 volts to create a stop. I don't have trailer brakes at speeds under 30 MPH nor is there a method for setting the gain because of the low output issue.

 

[nasaland]

I haven't read all pages- so sorry, if my question sounds stupid- I hooked up my camper the first time this weekend and studied the owners manual setting the trailer brakes. I found in the radio under settings the setting for trailer brake. There I found 4 different trailer brake variations: light trailer electric, heavy trailer electric, electric over hydraulic, hydraulic over electric. I have no idea about the last ones- but I set the brake assist to heavy trailer electric and the best setting for gain is 2.5. It's actually the same setting I had with my after market brake controller in my old truck. And it brakes fine.
I was reading some comments on the first page and could not see the setting mentioned.
Maybe it has something to do with it? did anybody tried to hook up the trailer to another vehicle and see if the issue is maybe there? sorry when I sound ignorant- but my job brings it with it to think outside the box and include even things where everybody would say- it can not be.

You don't mention what year your truck is...you might not even have an ITBM problem.