Trailer brake controller.

[hmcfly626]

So after reading all these trailer brake controllers going out, I was just wondering what your thoughts were on it. If I buy a brand new truck, will I get the new one that they keep replacing everybody else as well or do the chances are I'm going to have to get this replaced? That's the only reason I think of buying a 3500 is to tow my new fifth wheel.

 

[Dodge trucker]

I just bought a 2016 2 days ago.
This morning I called a stealership about a trailer brake. I was told $362 plus 1 hour to install and program. Ridiculous. But it'll be here tomorrow.
My 12 came to me with an aftermarket brake box. I don't know if I'd screw something up simply by adding one to the 16. I've put them in before, it's pretty easy. But never on an overcomplicated over computerized truck like this 16

 

[olyelr]

So after reading all these trailer brake controllers going out, I was just wondering what your thoughts were on it. If I buy a brand new truck, will I get the new one that they keep replacing everybody else as well or do the chances are I'm going to have to get this replaced? That's the only reason I think of buying a 3500 is to tow my new fifth wheel.

My 2026 was built last fall and is under the recall. I doubt they are still putting the bad ones in newly built trucks…wait, on second thought, they probably are

 

[Dodge trucker]

Well I got my trailer box. And the SOBs charged me $690 for installation. I was expecting 1 hour. Of which they don't post their rates nor does the bill reflect how much time they charged me. Oil change, cabin filter install and brake box install cost $870. PLUS THE $394 I PAID FOR THE BOX ACROSS THEIR PARTS COUNTER THE VERY DAY BEFORE. NEVER AGAIN

 

[Dodge trucker]

What years does the recall cover? And what is the supposed problem with them that they had to do a recall for them on to begin with

 

[06 Dodge]

Well I got my trailer box. And the SOBs charged me $690 for installation. I was expecting 1 hour. Of which they don't post their rates nor does the bill reflect how much time they charged me. Oil change, cabin filter install and brake box install cost $870. PLUS THE $394 I PAID FOR THE BOX ACROSS THEIR PARTS COUNTER THE VERY DAY BEFORE. NEVER AGAIN

What you just had happen is the #1 reason I always ask what the cost & then get a print out of the cost before I ever make an appointment for work to be performed, I also make sure i receive 15% off at my dealership through Costco on first $500, I get discount coupon online from Costco, last work I had done it saved me $76.00.

 

[Dodge trucker]

I reread the bill and I see now that their rate is a scathing 230. an hour, so they charged me for 3... Though that wasn't called out in the " description of work".I didn't think I had to ask for an estimate since I've installed several on Ford's at work (I'm a fleet mechanic for the state so I'm inundated with Ford crap)! and then had to have the assigned driver take their vehicle to the dealer and I know these cannot be that much different than the Ford ones.... $230 an hour? I don't take that much home in a day, after deductions are figured in... Way out of proportion.

 

[hemihustlin]

What you just had happen is the #1 reason I always ask what the cost & then get a print out of the cost before I ever make an appointment for work to be performed, I also make sure i receive 15% off at my dealership through Costco on first $500, I get discount coupon online from Costco, last work I had done it saved me $76.00.

yup thats like going to the strippers and going in the back without knowing the going rate per song nor knowing how to count songs

at least she will tell you youre special and youre not like the other ones

 

[markabby]

bought mine off ebay a couple of years ago...new..OEM..for about $120..the only nervous part was removing that 12" screen to install the actual switch, but, it was quite easy. (Youtube videos) Then finding the connection plug under the dash and installing the actual control box was easy.

dealer charged me $50 to flash the computer and it works like a charm as if it was factory installed.

 

[06 Dodge]

I reread the bill and I see now that their rate is a scathing 230. an hour, so they charged me for 3... Though that wasn't called out in the " description of work".I didn't think I had to ask for an estimate since I've installed several on Ford's at work (I'm a fleet mechanic for the state so I'm inundated with Ford crap)! and then had to have the assigned driver take their vehicle to the dealer and I know these cannot be that much different than the Ford ones.... $230 an hour? I don't take that much home in a day, after deductions are figured in... Way out of proportion.

A bit above normal hourly rate, independents here get $180 per hour, my dealer charges me $200 hr, didn't think IL would be that high, but then it is the state of IL so should not at all be surprised, just another day at the school of hard knocks