Factory Trailer Brake Controller Question

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So I'm not 100% sure my trailer brake controller is working and I was hoping for a little help. I've got a 21 foot pontoon boat that the wife and I just bought, and while it doesn't feel like the truck is being pushed around at all when I hit the brakes, the display on the dash makes me wonder if the brake controller is working (I've never had a trailer with brakes before). I looked at the owners manual that came with the truck and it's less than helpful. Can somebody tell me if this display means the trailer brake isn't hooked up?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Never mind- user error. I'm an idiot...

[jeep_boy02]

Lol... Idk exactly how the factory sets their numbers but on my empty car hauler I don't even feel it kick in till its above a 6. I think I run it at a 9 with the jeep on it.

[stubiePW]

I've hauled a few before. I don't know why they have light brake setting. I've used heavy even with lighter trailers with brakes as it seems to act more like after market brake controllers

[jeep_boy02]

I didn't know they had different settings! Guess I need to check the manual lol. I was going to say I've never noticed mine saying "light electric trailer brakes"

Always thought it just said "trailer brakes"

[olyelr]

Holy cat! Pushing the 30 thou mark, better trade that ol worn out truck in for a new one!

[jeep_boy02]

Lol... Mine had double that when I got her almost 2.5 years ago. Nearing triple that now and only one major issue and one minor. But the lifetime drivetrain warranty really is nice knowing most major issues will be covered as I will soon be hitting 100k which seems way too many for how nice it is. Hell my oldest vehicle doesn't even have 60k on it!

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Holy cat! Pushing the 30 thou mark, better trade that ol worn out truck in for a new one!

Well I have had it for 3.5 years...

[Stickman]

I think I'm sitting around 26k and mine is at 3.5 years old too, we're almost dead even.

[adeluca73]

Shoot, mine is 9 months & I'm at about 15K miles already.

[olyelr]

Holy cat! Pushing the 30 thou mark, better trade that ol worn out truck in for a new one!

Well I have had it for 3.5 years...

Yeah im not far behind ya with my '12. Sitting at 21k miles with the jeep. But i put about 35k on my work van each year.


So what was the deal with your brake controller?

[Iamahemi]

Whoah! My '12 is already at 50k miles and it's been 3-1/2 years!!!!

[Jnallison]

Holy cat! Pushing the 30 thou mark, better trade that ol worn out truck in for a new one!

Well I have had it for 3.5 years...

Yeah im not far behind ya with my '12. Sitting at 21k miles with the jeep. But i put about 35k on my work van each year.


So what was the deal with your brake controller?

Pretty sure it was his setting. The trucks have light trailer, heavy trailer, light electric over hydraulic and heavy electric over hydraulic. So 4 choices. Mine is on heavy and I never really go over 4.5

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I wish it was a setting I had wrong. I'm just a moron. The trailer had surge brakes not electric brakes. Yup- I'm an idiot...

[Bill2014]

I wish it was a setting I had wrong. I'm just a moron. The trailer had surge brakes not electric brakes. Yup- I'm an idiot...

Well - with surge brakes and the 4-pin electric connection - the truck brake controller does not register that you are towing a trailer. (My boat trailer has surge brakes). With the 7-pin connector, the brake controller activates.

[Will]

Just to throw some info towards the setting on the controller for "electric" brakes. We have a double axle tilt flat bed trailer for mini excavators. With no mini-x on in, I have to turn it down to 3 or anything past normal braking will lock up the trailer brakes. With the mini-x on the trailer, I go to 8 and if I hit them hard, it's like the trailer is not behind me at all and it doesn't lock the tires up. It all depends on how hard you are hitting the brakes and the brake system on the trailer you are hooked to on which setting. You just need to play with it when you first hook up. However, it's not wise to have it set higher than what you need, if you have to slam hard on the brakes, a brake locked, sliding trailer will push you instead of stop.

[jeep_boy02]

So I looked in the manual and the CD but didn't really find anything... Is there any operational info out there for our factory controllers?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So I looked in the manual and the CD but didn't really find anything... Is there any operational info out there for our factory controllers?

There's an owners manual in PDF Form in this thread: http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... f=2&t=1032

Towing information starts on page 540.

[Bill2014]

So I looked in the manual and the CD but didn't really find anything... Is there any operational info out there for our factory controllers?

I posted this in a different thread - but here it is again:

Use Heavy Electric for trailers over 10,000 pounds and Light Electric for trailers under 10,000 pounds.

Here is the brake setup procedure from the manual - some on this thread may find it useful...

Adjusting GAIN:

NOTE: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).

1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition, functioning normally and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if necessary.

2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.

3. When a trailer with electric/EOH brakes is plugged in, the trailer connected message should appear in the EVIC (if the connection is not recognized by the ITBM, braking functions will not be available), the GAIN setting will illuminate and the correct type of trailer must be selected from the EVIC options.

4. Press the UP or DOWN button on the steering wheel until “TRAILER TOW” appears on the screen.

5. Press the RIGHT arrow on the steering wheel to enter “TRAILER TOW”.

6. Press the UP or DOWN buttons until Trailer Brake Type appears on the screen.

7. Press the RIGHT arrow and then press the UP or DOWN buttons until the proper Trailer Brake Type appears on the screen.

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.

Repeat steps 8 and 9 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below trailer wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.

[jeep_boy02]

Here is what I was referring to...

Mine doesn't seem to have any adjustability. This is what I get when I go to the info screen, just says " trailer brakes" no light or heavy settings.???



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[Will]

Mines the same way. I adjust the gain but it doesn't have a light or heavy option that I've seen