Electric Trailer Brakes are Not Working as Well with 2015 Ram 3500 and Factory Brake Controller

Updated 07/30/2015 | Published 07/29/2015

Question:

Hi i bought a new 32foot camper last year and pulled it with my Ram 1500 with factory brake controller, the brakes worked awesome on the trailer but i needed a bigger truck so i bought a new 2015 Ram 3500 with factory brake controller, i hooked up to it the other day and the brakes seem very weak, i turned the gain up all the way and they still dont stop it very good or lock up

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

The factory brake controllers such as the one in your 2015 Ram 3500 may need to be set up first before they will work as well as they can. On the 2015 Rams the factory controller also has an electric over hydraulic mode and if you are in that mode it may not work as well with regular electric brakes.

It could also be the wiring to the brake magnets or the magnets themselves. Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for pinched, frayed, or damaged wires and fix as needed. Make sure the ground wires are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

You can visually inspect the magnets and if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To further test the magnets you can follow the help article I have linked.

expert reply by: Michael H