Replacement Brake Controller for 2017 Ram 3500 with Integrated Brake Controller

Updated 07/12/2017 | Published 07/11/2017

Question:

I am evidently not getting enough current to the electric brakes on my 5th wheel trailer equipped with 2 Lippert braking axles trailer weight about 11K. Even with the gain set a 10 there is very little braking force applied by the trailer brakes. In fact, I cant tell any difference between a setting of 6 and a setting of 10. The ITBC is set for Heavy Electric. I do not think it is the trailer brakes I disconnected the trailer wiring from he truck and removed the emergency brake disconnect, which applied 12V from the trailer battery to the brakes. The brakes held tight when I tried to accelerate. When I manually hold the ITBC with the gain set at 10, when the truck is in idling in Drive, it pulls the trailer with little resistance from the brakes. When driving, I can feel the brakes apply, but it does little to slow the truck and trailer. If I did not have engine braking Id be in trouble the way it is. Is this a know issue with Ram ITBCs? I am considering the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ram Item # 3024-P and Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional Item # 90195 or Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional Item # 90885. Will those better ensure that enough current is applied when braking? If so, which do you recommend? Also, what do I need to do to avoid messing up the trucks computer by not using the ITBC?

asked by: Ron

Expert Reply:

Sounds like you have eliminated the problem down to being related to the integrated brake controller. Does your trailer by chance have disc brakes? Sometimes integrated controllers don't like electric over hydraulic actuators.

The P3 part # 90195 and the P2 part # 90885 are basically the same controller internally, but the P3 has a more comprehensive gauge display and offers more settings options. The harness you need is the part # 3024-P.

If your truck came from the factory with an OEM brake controller your dealer will need to reconfigure the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) to remove the warning lamp on the instrument cluster. This is only necessary when replacing a factory controller. Please refer to the linked article.

expert reply by: Jameson C