Trailer Brake Question

[lmeavtitn]

I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel and it did not come with an integrated brake controller. 4 or 5 days a week I haul a 4000 pound boat and trailer around and I also haul a lot of equipment for mowing and landscaping jobs. My old truck (2014 Ram 1500) had a trailer brake controller but since I knew I wasn't keeping that truck, I just bought a 60 dollar brake controller and bolted it to the kick panel. My Rebel though, I'm on the fence of either doing it on the cheap or buying the intergraded part.

My question is which is better? Are there any pro-cons that I should be aware of? I haven't personally used an intergraded unit.

I had a scare while trailering my boat and almost wasn't able to stop in time. My boat trailer already has brakes but obviously haven't been able to use them with my new truck.

 

[mtofell]

I had various aftermarket units with trucks until the integrated one with my new truck. I wouldn't pay much more for the integrated one. It's better but not like it's going to change your life. I'd liken it to a radar detector (I fear I'm dating myself here ) A couple decades ago you could get a cheapie for $50 or pay $300 for the top of the line. The $50 one was about 90% as good as the $300 one in most cases.

 

[lmeavtitn]

I can buy the integrated one online for 180 shipped, install it myself and the dealership wants around 50 bucks to "program" it to work with my truck. Where I'm struggling with is if it's worth it haha. I'm tempted to just buy it as I plan on keeping this truck for a while and it looks a lot cleaner over having an aftermarket one screwed onto the kick panel of my truck. I'm just on the fence with it.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I really liked my intergrated brake controller in my 14 I like how clean and how seamless it worked. I think all trucks from the factory should have one.

 

[crash68]

Nice part of the integrated brake controller, is the information all pops up on the EVIC right in front of you. If the trailer brake wiring comes disconnected, it will let you know. Also you can save the settings for four different trailers since you tow multiple trailers.

 

[mtofell]

I can buy the integrated one online for 180 shipped, install it myself and the dealership wants around 50 bucks to "program" it to work with my truck. Where I'm struggling with is if it's worth it haha. I'm tempted to just buy it as I plan on keeping this truck for a while and it looks a lot cleaner over having an aftermarket one screwed onto the kick panel of my truck. I'm just on the fence with it.

That's not much more than the aftermarkets from what I can remember so I'd probably go for it. It is pretty nice having it integrated into the DIC (assuming that happens when you install it?). Would it include factory buttons to control gain +/- ??

 

[csuder99]

That's not much more than the aftermarkets from what I can remember so I'd probably go for it. It is pretty nice having it integrated into the DIC (assuming that happens when you install it?). Would it include factory buttons to control gain +/- ??

The basic Tekonsha Voyager with wiring harness adapter is less than $90 shipped, and it works which apparently can't be said for some ITBM. Certainly not as sleek but OTOH no menus to navigate, two knobs and a LED to set it up.

 

[clh1220]

I've never had electric brakes on a boat trailer. Mine have all been surge brakes, I've had electric on my campers.

 

[Hemi450hp]

My new 2015 also did not come with a trailer brake controller. I just installed the OEM controller last week though because I am very picky about fitment, so I wanted the clean and simple design of the OEM unit.

 

[lmeavtitn]

I've never had electric brakes on a boat trailer. Mine have all been surge brakes, I've had electric on my campers.

A lot of the newer boats are coming with electric brakes as an option or standard. I know my old Nitro had surge brakes but i wasnt ever a fan of those.