Dexter Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Not Working with Factory Brake Controller on 2014 Ram 3500

Updated 06/15/2015 | Published 06/13/2015

Question:

I have a 2014 Dodge 3500 pickup when I hook up my 5th wheel with a Dexter 1600 PSI Electric-over-hydraulic brakes I get an error message in my Dodge system saying No Trailer Hook upinch or something to that effect. My truck has various settings that I can switch to in the computer the one I choose was Electric-over-hydraulic Heavy since its a 14K trailer. Ive also tried Electric-over-hydraulic Light ..with no results. Ive been told an Adapter may help to boost the signal. I see on your FAQ that appears to wrk well with Chev and Ford. Have you seen this on the Dodge before? It seems it should wrk fine when you have the settings in the Pickup, even without the adapter. Also if I add the adapter and it wrks is there any risk to my trucks internal computer?

asked by: Calvin M

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since the factory brake controller on your 2014 Ram 3500 has an electric over hydraulic mode, it should work just fine with the Dexter actuator. But since it isn't there are some things you can try. First, check to see if you have to have the trailer connector or disconnected when putting the controller in electric over hydraulic mode. That could make a difference.

If that is not the issue then you may need to adjust the power output (if possible in EOH mode). Make sure the trailer connectors on the truck and trailer are free of corrosion and that all of the wiring on the trailer side is properly connected and that there are no loose, frayed, pinched, or otherwise damaged wires.

While the use of an adapter might work, the adapters available were designed to be used with brake controllers that do not have an electric over hydraulic mode. You would have to have your controller in electric only mode and even then it may not work.

There is a little known trick that some people have used instead of using an adapter. While I cannot officially advise it I can explain it. What people have done is attach a couple of trailer brake magnets anywhere on the trailer and wired them in to the brake output circuit from the trailer connector to trick the brake controller so that it will work with an EOH system.

There should not be any risk to the truck by "adapting" the system to work with the factory brake controller.

expert reply by: Michael H